January 25 Album Releases

I'm sorry to begin this post with such an outburst of disbelief, but...

What witchery on this cursed planet made me, a lover of the Dresden Dolls, overlook the fact that Amanda Palmer has a new album out?! I mean, I saw the hilarious plea-for-pubes that is the "Map of Tasmania" video, but failed to notice there's actually an album that goes with it, and also the fact that it's available for download for as little as $0.69 right now, at that!

Apparently, Amanda Palmer's Amanda Palmer Goes Down Under came out Friday, but it's streaming on Spinner beside this week's releases; so, I'd say it's fair game for our latest installment of Drop It Like It's Hot.

Palmer's partially-live, primarily-down-under-themed album tells a series of highly-colorful comedic (see: "Vegemite," yes-- it's actually about vegemite and being unable to tolerate a lover's eating it) and heartbreakingly emotional story-songs accompanied by ukulele or piano. I have always thought her an absolute genius as a storyteller and a painter of scenery with notes and words. Down Under doesn't change my mind about that one bit. Love you, AFP.

Shock aside and Palmer downloaded. Moving on...

This week seems to be the week of the Kids. There are Get Up ones and Cold War ones, and they both came out to play today.

There Are Rules is the first album The Get Up Kids have released in damn-near 7 years, and as stoked as old-school fans may be for it, they could be in for a surprise. I'm not implying that the heavy electronics and less guitar-driven sound of Rules are at all a bad thing. I'm just warning you not to expect Guilt Show Part II.

A stand-out track on the album for me is "Rally 'Round The Fool." Stripped-down and ominous, the song progresses with the texture of changing drum beats until it climaxes eerily in vocalist Matt Pryor's distantly wailing "It's all over." As I described in my ACRN review, the beat is suited "for dancing at a strobe-lit séance."
If for nothing more than nostalgia, curiosity and "Rally 'Round The Fool," I would highly suggest checking out TGUK's latest effort. Also, I may be a little biased because I love Reggie & The Full Effect and James Dewees is the touring keyboardist for my favorite band, but he completely kills with skills on Rules.

Cold War Kids, the second Kid-named band in my post (phew, thank God the "Rock" one isn't around this week), released Mine Is Yours today. Cold War Kids triumph, as usual, in the pureness of the vocals of their music. I could listen to Nathan Willett's voice forever. Mine Is Yours brings more of their signature piano-and-voice-focused funk sound. Fans of the band will be pleased, but probably not too surprised.

Last night, as I watched CONAN, knowing I would have to write this post, I tried to pay attention to the performance by musical guest Iron And Wine. I really did, but it just made me more sleepy, and I had homework to complete; so, I had to tune it out. The performance may have been dull, but Iron And Wine's latest, Kiss Each Other Clean, provides a beautiful and moving listening experience.

I wouldn't suggest listening to it early in the morning; as, it may be the lullaby that puts you straight back to sleep, but if you want to chill and contemplate life matters, Kiss Each Other Clean makes a perfect soundtrack. Staff Writer Amanda Norris, who is more versed in this musical style than I, must have liked it based on the 8/10 she gave it in her review. The storytelling lyrics showcased on Kiss demand attention, and the folk soundings surround and blanket those words with such pillow-y sweetness that it becomes easy to fall into the songs.

Do I sound sleepy? Perhaps that's my cue to end this post.

--Cassie Whitt, Blogs Editor

January 18 Album Releases

There’s no better way to start a quarter than with some fantastic new music.

Thankfully, that need is being fulfilled during Week 3 (better late than never), and I’m thinking it’ll be just the accompaniment I need to power me through the papers and quizzes that Week 3 tends to arouse.

Kicking off the Week 3 pick-me-ups are The Decemberists with The King is Dead, and I would just like to say:

YES. YES YES YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE DECEMBERISTS FOR PULLING THIS ALBUM OFF.

My relationship with The Decemberists over the years has been very love/hate in a Jekyll and Hyde sort of way, to say the least, but this album most definitely earns my love, starting with the stellar opener “Don’t Carry It All.” The album displays a more stripped-down side of the band – one which, in my opinion, is overridden by excessively theatrical instrumentation much too often. Instead of going the big-band-anthem route, The Decemberists have produced a more Southern-fried sound: A satisfactory shift.

I tend to think that the hate part of my relationship with the band stems from my innate abhorrence with whiny, high-pitched, nasal-y vocals, which is very characteristic of frontman Colin Meloy. However, I actually enjoy his vocals in the musical framing that The King is Dead provides.



Another highlight of this week is Low Country Blues, the latest solo album (and first in 14 years – ballin’!) by my favorite Allman brother, Gregg. Low Country Blues is a covers album produced by T Bone Burnett, and it’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect from Gregg Allman.

When rock royalty (especially veteran rock royalty) goes blues, it can almost never disappoint. And disappoint Allman surely does not with track-after-track of his take on hits by BB King, Otis Rush and Skip James, to name a few. My personal favorite? “I Can’t Be Satisfied,” Allman’s cover of the Muddy Waters classic. Takes the cake.

The punk kings of Social Distortion release Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes this week as well. And to be honest, I’m underwhelmed.

It’s not a terrible album, but it just doesn’t do anything for me in that blood-pumping, muscle-tensing way that a good punk album should. I struggle to even refer to Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes as a punk album at all. It’s got a sort of West Coast motorcycle rock vibe to it, which, if you know me at all, you know I don’t mind. It’s just not what I expected out of them.

Unfortunately, it seems that Social Distortion’s relatively old age is really starting to affect the music. Hate all you want – all I’m sayin’ is Ted Leo’s still got it. There’s no excuse.

The last release worth mentioning is Teenage and Torture by Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers. To be honest, I haven’t heard the whole album – just “Heaven in Stereo” and “Venus Shaver” – but the snippets I heard absolutely worked up my anticipation to hear the entire thing.

I mention Shilpa Ray because that band holds a little soft spot in my musical heart. They played at Athens’ very own Blackout Fest at The Union in April 2009, and I had the pleasure of watching/dancing (and subsequently fostering a bit of a girl crush on Ms. Ray) with former Managing Editor Jen Kessler. Ah, the good old days.

Being the Cold War Kids and Iron and Wine fan that I am, I’m realizing now that I’d probably be much better versed on the releases that next week is slated to bring. However, this week’s aforementioned releases are certainly deserving of my excitement and therefore have my full attention until next Tuesday.

--Courtney Baldasare, Editorial Director

October 12 Album Releases

Album releases this week range from indie-favorites to concept cover albums, but only one album this week left me extremely psyched for its release.

Belle and Sebastian is releasing Write About Love this week on Rough Trade Records-- four years after their last release, The Life Pursuit, in 2006. The album opens softly, which may have been why I felt as though my interest was waning quickly. Belle and Sebastian’s sleepy sounding vocals accompanied with light piano on the first track seemed to ring throughout the whole album. However, “I Want the World to Stop” was more upbeat and I found myself easily tapping my foot. While it may be because Belle and Sebastian are simply not my preferred taste, the album was just mediocre to me.

Another indie-veteran Sufjan Stevens released The Age of Adz this week on Asthmatic Kitty Records. The album is Stevens’ first full-length release since Illinois five years ago. It was definitely my least favorite of the releases. Despite my having an extensive collection of Sufjan Stevens albums in my library, I’ve never been able to get into his tunes. His voice always fails to move me and particularly on this album, he doesn’t seem to have any emotion behind it at all. The electronics felt overdone and the choral accompaniments in the background felt like too much.

I was surprised to see that Less Than Jake was releasing TV/EP. Less Than Jake was a favorite back in our high school ska scene; however, I didn’t even know they were still together making music now. In TV/EP, Less Than Jake covers popular TV sitcom theme songs and commercials. The EP, which is a little over 11 minutes long, is best listened to while viewing the commercials and songs via video on their website. It was an awesome throwback hearing those familiar childhood tunes from the ‘80s and ‘90s and hilarious to see the commercials with the punk versions of the songs dubbed over. They used lots of horns and had their classic punk-ska sound: loud, energetic and silly. Some of my favorites included the Hungry, Hungry Hippos song, the McDonald's Big Mac song from 1984 (below), and the Different Strokes theme song. I don’t think I could listen to the album on a regular basis, but it was really awesome to hear their renditions of the songs along with the old videos.





Finally, Cleveland-based Cloud Nothings just released their first full-length album Turning On with Carpark Records. I’ve been meaning to see Cloud Nothings for so long, being a Cleveland native myself and hearing positive buzz about them around town. The buzz didn’t do them justice though; Turning On was the one album this week I could not stop listening to. It’s dark, catchy and upbeat and reminds me a bit of The Whigs, but a little more raw. “Hey Cool Kid” seems to be the first single and it’s a perfect pick. The recently released video (below) is eerie and matches the dark and creepy vibe of the song. The band would fit in great with the Athens music scene and I can totally picture them playing a packed show at the Union.




Some other notable album releases this week include Badly Drawn Boy with Part 1–Photographing Snowflakes, Lil Wayne with I Am Not A Human Being, and You, Me, And Everyone We Know with Some Things Don’t Wash Out.

--Melissa Burant, Editorial Copy Chief and PR Director

October 5 Album Releases

We are not starting October with a substantial week in music, I must tell you. October 5 does not arrive with a babble of big releases to be severely dissected and critiqued. Instead, music-buyers have their pick of smaller interest bands that can be gladly approached with open ears and willing minds. What a relief—or a disappointment, depending on the breadth of your critical streak.

Enough stalling with flouncy words and introductory paragraphs. Let’s get to the few highlight-able releases on this week’s list of brand new albums. Shall we?

First and, I say, foremost, stellar independent label Kill Rock Stars is presenting two records from some of the industry’s most dynamic performers: Corin Tucker and Marnie Stern.

Sleater-Kinney parted ways in 2006, and since then the wall-buckling, ground-crumbling vocals of Corin Tucker have been left silent, sadly. But now Corin has her own band, The Corin Tucker Band with whom she has recorded her debut solo-ish record, 1,000 Years. Sure, it’s not as zingy as her Riot Grrrl days, but if you weren’t to compare her new sounds to those of her younger days, Corin would still have nearly boundless vigor in her approach to rock. Listen to “Doubt” and feel the burgeoning howl, ready to be unleashed.

After two previous full-length records released on Kill Rock Stars, Marnie Stern is releasing a self-titled album. Given the bombastic, bordering-on-violent-video-game frantic energy of the album’s opening number, “For Ash,” this album obviously does not fade away from the finger-tapping, guitar-playing neon fireworks Marnie displayed on her previous works. Face-melting chops she has in spades.

While busy speaking about commendable record labels, I may as well move on to London-based indie label Domino, which has a noteworthy album on their agenda: Clinic’s Bubblegum.

Clinic is not a new band. This band from Liverpool has been releasing albums biannually since 2000, making Bubblegum their sixth—count them, sixth—studio record. The album’s first single, “I’m Aware,” with its mumbled vocals and dreamy, twangy sounds, comes accompanied by a trippy video featuring caftan-clothed puppets with antlers submerged in a color-drenched environment fit for child-aimed, daytime entertainment. And that’s putting it simply.

Well, what else is there? Dustin Wong, guitar-playing member of the radical, sound-crashing Baltimore band Ponytail, has a solo album, Infinite Love, coming out on Thrill Jockey. Expect electric guitar loops, forceful and emotive, and do not expect any vocals to muddle the panorama. Never have cohesive vocals been associated with Dustin’s work in the past, and the future promises no surer sign of lyrics.

Now I’m meandering. How better to end this dragging post than to list off a few more albums coming out from peculiarly named bands. I have run out of productive ideas, so, alas, a short list: Wild Go by Dark Dark Dark, Meet Me at the Muster Station by PS I Love You, Litanies by Royal Baths, Soft Landing by Soft Landing.

I have been assured these are not false listings and these are real bands and real album names. So enjoy yourself, sorting through the abstract incoherence of words I have thrown at you and listen to something brand spanking new.

-Jessi Finn, Album Reviews Editor

September 28 Album Releases

I look forward to so many things in the fall – knit hats, climate change and an excuse to order hot chocolate at the local coffee shops (though summer doesn’t usually stop me from ordering hot chocolate, despite the strange looks I often receive for doing so).

More than anything, though, I crave fall’s new music. I’m always looking for a good soundtrack to my brisk-weather walks, and preferably one that’s full of new material.

Because this week will mark the first truly fall weather week (in my opinion, at least), I’m looking for some suitable new albums to fill that soundtrack. But if nothing else, this week’s releases are a bit eclectic, if I may.

Deerhunter comes out with Halcyon Digest this week, and frankly, I love the album. I’ve always appreciated the band, but this album – dare I say it – may just turn me into a fan. Each song keeps an agreeable beat, but it’s full of lush instrumentals and catchy melodies that soften the thrust of the beat. Most songs on this album will be making the cut for my fall soundtrack, especially and most notably “Don’t Cry” and “Desire Lines.”

For a while, I’ve anticipated the release of Bad Religion’s The Dissent of Man. However, upon listening to the album, I’m pretty disenchanted. Each track runs together in one fluid rush of mediocre punk music. Despite the classic nature of the band and its seasoned status, The Dissent of Man just feels like an album for an album’s sake, not a piece of art with emotion poured into it. The Dissent of Man may be the descent of the band.

Another notable release for the week is Neil Young’s Le Noise. I’ve been a fan of the great Mr. Young since my diaper days, so the fact that I cherished every note of this album should not surprise anyone. Regardless of my bias, I really appreciate the modern, psychedelic sound the 64-year-old veteran accomplishes on parts of the album, all the while keeping his folk rock roots intact.

As for the last of the most-buzzed-about albums of the week, No Age is set to release Everything in Between this week. The band is a duo of newcomers that have made a noticeable footprint in the hypothetical noise pop/indie rock sand. I’ve grown pretty fond of the band, and much of what they’ve put out thus far has piqued my interest. Everything in Between is no exception – as long as you’re into that sort of music, you’ll probably be into this album.

Of course, the aforementioned releases just cover a few of the many albums coming out this week.

Other albums I’m anxious to hear (for some of them, I have no idea where my excitement is stemming from): Clapton by Eric Clapton, World Gone Crazy by the Doobie Brothers, No Chocolate Cake by Gin Blossoms, The Remedy by Jagged Edge, Incarcerated by Lil Boosie, Record Collection by Mark Ronson & the Business Intl, Commitment by Seal and the eponymous Pete Yorn by Pete Yorn.

Not sure if crustaceans look silly in outerwear, but this lobster is ready to get wrapped up in a scarf and the latest fall album releases.

-Courtney Baldasare, Editorial Director

September 21 Album Releases

Not gonna lie, last week was a damn good week for album releases. Weezer, Of Montreal, Chromeo, Elemental Groove Theory... it was as if the music gods were after my own heart.

And while this week's releases tend to leave a little more to desire, they are not without points of interest.

Remember when you listened to Maroon 5 in middle school? High school? Last week? (Don't deny it; you totally did). The five-piece has a new album out, Hands All Over, which will likely prove to be... about the same as the rest of their discography, if lead single "Misery" is any indication. So if that's your thing (oh wait, that's right, it totally is), check out what singer Adam Levine calls "just great pop."

Frankly, I don't know much about Shit Robot. But I think the name is absolutely hilarious, and the project's album From the Cradle to the Rave will be out Tuesday on DFA Records.

Indiana's Margot and the Nuclear So and So's will release their third full-length, as well. It is reportedly the first with the band's new lineup, which still includes singer Richard Edwards fronting the group. Check ACRN.com later in the week for a review of the new album, Buzzard!

The Zac Brown Band is known for its country-friendly tunes that have a bit of a Jimmy Buffett swag (given Jimmy Buffett HAS a swag) with them. The band's first album, The Foundation, spawned four chart toppers on the US Country charts and another that hit number two. The band's newest single, "As She's Walking Away," has already climbed to number 16 and features country legend Alan Jackson. Fresh off an opening slot for the Dave Matthews Band this past summer, the band is ready to release album number two, You Get What You Give. The Foundation is one of my favorite country albums of all time. I have a good feeling You Get What You Give will be up there as well.

Remember Serj Tankian? How about System of a Down? If you answered "yes" to only the second question, Serj Tankian was the lead singer for that esteemed rock/metal band that graced the rock charts during the 2000's with singles such as "Chop Suey," "Toxicity" and "B.Y.O.B." The band has been on a hiatus since 2006, and Tankian has since taken to his solo project, which sounds... a lot like System of a Down. After Tankian's less-than-stellar Elect the Dead and Elect the Dead Symphony, Imperfect Harmonies is the singer's second full-length and third album overall. Here's hoping it's a good showing. And that System gets back together soon.

Oh, and Selena Gomez and her band The Scene will be releasing A Year Without Rain. Just in case we have any reader who watches the Disney Channel that isn't I.

Finally, possibly the most intriguing of the releases is a collaboration between soul crooner John Legend and The Roots, of Late Night fame. General praise for the album before its release has been pretty damn good, so if there's any album this week I'd say "HEY, GO BUY THIS. OR DOWNLOAD IT. OR SOMETHING.," it's this. If only to see how such a collaboration between such esteemed company turns out.

That's it for this week. Let me know how that Maroon 5 album turns out.

--Kevin Rutherford, Managing Editor

Is My Heart In Ohio, You Ask?

You! You silly Dayton-natives, Hawthorne Heights, have become the very bane of my existence.

Every time I travel out-of-state for a show, it is because of YOU that I am, without fail, always asked if my "heart is in Ohio." Blast you! When I saw a member of your band at a gas station not terribly long ago, I wanted to growl that sentiment at him, but that wouldn't have been very nice, would it? No. See, I don't harass you; so, leave me alone, will ya?

Okay, so HH doesn't exactly harass me; we simply happen to share an area code and references to the band's lyrics happen to follow me, but still...

Among some of the albums dropping this week is Hawthorne Heights' Skeletons, which I simply could not appreciate at the level my 15-year-old self appreciated The Silence In Black And White. Regardless, I gave the album 5 listens and concluded that it warranted a 6.5/10 rating in my album review for ACRN.

Also among this week's releases is Clay Aiken's Tried And True. Yes, I'm talking about the guy who didn't win "American Idol" circa 2003.

Was there a time in my life when I got choked up while listening to Aiken's first full-length album, Measure of a Man, on repeat? Yes. I will follow Editorial Director Courtney Baldasare's lead by shamelessly and publicly professing my love for a pop star. In fact, I am listening to the album right now in the last hours I have to treasure Lala before Apple steals it from me.

Aiken's Tried And True pays a jazzy (elevator music) ode to the classics, and is oh-so-lovely throughout, especially the cover of "Unchained Melody." Oh, how I swooned. I suppose the fact that I grinned and squeaked happily upon listening to the first song proves that one who is once a Claymate is always a Claymate.

So many people who care about cred just decided that I have none. Deal with it, cred-lovers; for, I am about to talk about an artist that you probably care about a bit more: Good Old War.

Good Old War's self-titled album showcases a sweet simplicity that made me feel I was sitting on a porch swing at a cabin in a hollow as I listened to it, or -- maybe -- balancing on a log to cross some sort of creek. You folksy types will love it. I can feel it.

Giving June 1 a bit more ass-kickery is The Bride Screamed Murder by Melvins, a hard rock album with laughable titles like "Pig House" and "I'll Finish you Off."

Brutal, dudes.

Fans of classic Heavy Metal will probably find something to like in The Melvins' release.

As you can see, you have a nice selection of albums dropping on this wretchedly hot June day. Check out those that fit your tastes.

Oh! For future reference, out-of-state friends: No, my heart is not quite in Ohio. I believe its listed location on its Twitter page is "somewhere within Cassie's ribs."

--Cassie Whitt, Blogs Editor