Huge, Commendable Releases and... Bo Bice?

Try to contain your excitement, everyone. No, seriously. This is a pretty good week for album releases, all genres considered. So get your torrent software ready (don't even try to deny it), and let's run down the list, shall we?

We'll start off with the biggest of them all: The baddest of the bad; the album that people will be talking about for years to come. When your future self looks back on this very day, May 18, 2010, he/she will undoubtedly be thinking, "Wow, I remember that day. For that's when the laudable American Idol runner-up Bo Bice released his masterpiece, his crowning achievement, his pièce de résistance: 3. Oh, and what a day it was."

What's that, you say? No one remembers Bo Bice?

Oh.

Joking aside, there really is some intriguing new music dropping this week. Certainly mentionable is Infinite Arms, the new release from Band of Horses. The album is actually still streaming on their website, so that's something worth checking out.

Another heavy-hitting "B" band in the indie world, Ohio's own Black Keys, are also back with their eighth album, Brothers. Early praise for this thing has been plentiful. Then again, who could expect anything less from a couple of Ohioans? That's right. We're kick-ass. Flaunt it.


Soulstress Janelle Monae is one of the most hyped artists of the week; her new album The Archandroid is Monae's first since she came under the wing of Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Bad Boy Records. A lot of positive things are being said about this album. My opinion? If the rest of Monae's album is anything like the first single "Tightrope," this release has the potential to cross a lot of boundaries genre-wise. (Side note: I'm considering growing my hair and messing around with it to get it to look like Monae's. Think I should? Think I'm out of my mind? Free this Thursday? Send all answers to Kevin.S.Rutherford@gmail.com.)

Moving on, it would be asinine not to mention LCD Soundsystem and This is Happening. Sure, the title sounds like self-reassurance that this is, in fact, "real life" during a particularly potent drug trip, but come on, has LCD Soundsystem led us astray yet? Plus, the lead single is called "Drunk Girls." Is that not reason alone to give this album a chance?

Let's take a different route for a moment and delve into the reggae side of things. Jamaican reggae/ska legends Toots and the Maytals are releasing what seems like their thousandth album, Flip and Twist. And on a semi-related note, Damian Marley, one of Bob's many sons, is releasing a collaboration album titled Distant Relatives with rapper Nas. One has to think there will be at least a minor reggae influence there given Marley's track record. Those are two albums I'm definitely looking forward to. The Maytals are downright superb, and Marley has always done his surname proud. That said, if there are any among the Marley offspring that seem closer to rap, Damian's the man. That should be an interesting collaboration indeed.

Those are just a few of the many albums dropping this week. From Janelle Monae to Damian Marley, Band of Horses to Black Keys, one thing's for sure: it ain't an off-week.

BRB, gonna go listen to this devastating new Bo Bice album.


--Kevin Rutherford, Managing Editor

April 26 Album Releases

And now it's time once again to run down the list of albums dropping this week across the world. Get excited!

We'll begin with Dancer Equired!, the new disc from Columbus lo-fi trio Times New Viking. The band has played in Athens numerous times, most recently at 2011's Blackoutfest at The Union. The record's out on Merge Records, the band's first with the label. Merge is cool, right? Well, they've certainly had a good year-or-so. So I'd say TNV is in rather good hands. The new album is said to have a cleaner production style in comparison to past releases. Is this true or false? Get your hands on Dancer Equired! and find out for yourself!

Steve Earle's T-Bone Burnett-produced fourteenth album, I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive, comes out on New West Records. The album, which gets its title from a classic Hank Williams tune, has already been reviewed on ACRN.com by our own Jacob Betzner.

Personally, I can't say I've ever listened to Earle, but two things are leading me to figure that this shall change soon. First of all, the aforementioned review was not only positive, but the album described seemed to contain a flurry of characteristics that generally equal success in my eyes -- notably country and bluegrass. In addition, I saw Earle's son, Justin Townes Earle, open for the Decemberists last Saturday in Columbus, and he was superb. Therefore, I can only imagine that his father is just as great, if not better.

Bowling for Soup release Fishin' for Woos, the band's eleventh record. lol.

The guys and gal of Airborne Toxic Event are hoping to repeat the success of their 2008 self-titled debut with All At Once, released through Island Records. Will Mikel Jossett's story-songs of love and loss resonate again this time around? Lead single "Changing" has already climbed to No. 10 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, so they're doing something right. Frankly, if they can match the epic-ness of "Sometime Around Midnight," I'll be satisfied.

Post-rock instrumentalists Explosions in the Sky return to the world stage with Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, their first effort since 2007's All of a Sudden, I Miss Everyone. At first, admittedly brief glance, the album might look like an E.P., what with its only containing six tracks. However, don't be fooled -- only one song, "Trembling Hands," dips below seven minutes long. So be prepared for some 45-minute-long instrumental weirdness. I'm sure, as with the band's last record, things will be dazzling.

Also releasing new music this week include British house duo Dirty Vegas, Liverpool's The Wombats, and folk-country royalty Emmylou Harris. It's a good week, so get out there and buy some music this week. Your record stores thank you.

--Kevin Rutherford, Editorial Director

November 1 Releases, 2011

By: Cassie Whitt, Blogs Editor

In this installment of ACRN's Drop It Like It's Hot, blogs editor Cassie will check out some things she's never given a chance in the past.

First on the testing table is Hit The Lights: a band known in my mind as one of the "highlighter generation." One whose fans could be found in neon-splattered clothes scrawled with large, block lettering journeying across Warped Tour parking lots over the past couple years.

Some would argue that my propensity toward black drives me away from such bands, but I argue this: These newer pop-punk bands, for me, offer nothing that is actually new. I can point to examples in the past which they echo, and I just can't get into a re-hashing of the same thing that I liked and perceived as better then.

Perhaps, if I hadn't grown up with bands like The Starting Line and Brand New (circa 2001), I could have a better appreciation for something like Hit The Lights' new EP, Invicta.

Still, it was not an unpleasant listen and I'm glad I gave it a chance. It has everything a good pop-punk EP should have: catchy choruses, a higher-than-usual male vocal, a couple mellow breakdowns and sing-along quality.

I may give Hit The Lights more chances after getting a taste through the Invicta EP.

The second chance I gave this week was to The Decemberists, because I know they hold a special place in editorial director Kevin Rutherford's heart. This week, they release Long Live The King, yet another EP, this one of b-sides from The King Is Dead, which came out earlier this year.

Immediately, I was struck by the title of the first track: "E. Watson." I could only hope it meant beloved Hermione Granger actress and fashionista Emma Watson. My hopes were naïve, I suppose.

The Decemberists reak of PBR, teardrops in dirty beards, slow-motion civil war reenactments and mountainsides: a strangely comforting combination. I get the appeal, but I don't want it for myself. I just wouldn't mind being surrounded by it from time to time when I need a nap.

Chance three of the week goes to Girl in a Coma because they are on Blackheart Records, so I assume they have to be at least a little bad-ass. Exits And All The Rest is a tad on the sleepy side for me, though more up-beat than the aforementioned EP.

The album, with its old-fashioned feeling and smooth alto lady vocals, does nothing remarkable for me. It just kind of makes me want to start a rad, more exciting band of my own here in Athens.

Who's down?

October 25 Releases, 2011

By: Chris Dobstaff, News Editor

It’s almost time for Halloween; so, let’s see what’s in the goodie bag of new releases this week. There’s definitely a mixture of tricks, as well as some stellar treats.

Let’s start with one of the tastiest of treats of the year. Justice, an electronic duo from France, just released its second studio album Audio, Video, Disco. I’ve only tasted a brief sample of the album, but even I, more a fan of straight rock, cannot deny that this album has some serious kick. Everyone get ready to hear Audio, Video, Disco at house parties for the remainder of the year.

We also saw the release of the new Coldplay album, Mylo Xyloto. Is it true that Coldplay is one of the lamest bands on Earth? Probably. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some “Clocks” every now and then.

How will the band’s fifth album stand up? The first single, “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall,” not only is home to a classic cheesy Coldplay title, but is also utterly unexciting. Overall, reviews have been a mixed bag, but we should all indulge ourselves in “Princess of China,” just to hear Coldplay and Rihanna together at last. Cause that’s really what we’ve always wanted, right?

The legendary Tom Waits also returned with his first batch of studio material since 2004 with Bad As Me. The 61-year-old singer-songwriter has backed up his 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction with another great album. Just go listen to “Get Lost” and try to fight the urge to listen to the rest of the album. Stay on the look out for Amanda Norris’ upcoming review of the record. That girl loves her some Tom Waits.

Our very own Editorial Director Kevin Rutherford reviewed My Brightest Diamond’s All Things Will Unwind this week. The guy generally picks everything to pieces, but he actually gave the disc a positive review. I’d say that just about gives me reason to check it out.

She & Him took on some classic holiday tunes with A Very She & Him Christmas. I have to be honest with you guys, though. I’m about fed up with Zooey Deschanel’s cuteness. I just can’t take it anymore! Am I the only one here? Also, Christmas albums are generally boring, and seeing as the band’s second studio album bored me to tears, I can’t imagine this little collection of songs to be much different.

Michael Bublé also released a Christmas album! Skip that one too.

In fact, here’s a little piece of advice: Unless the Christmas album is by Elvis or Fats Domino, steer clear of it. (Fats Domino has the greatest holiday collection of all time. Real talk, you guys.)

Brian Wilson released In The Key of Disney, an album of the Beach-Boys-legend's singing songs from “You Got a Friend in Me” to “Heigh-Ho.” I haven’t heard any of Wilson’s newer material, but I’m a sucker for some Disney classics. Count me in.

Lastly, Deer Tick released Divine Providence. Though they sound like a dirty southern band, the group actually hails from Rhode Island. Lead singer John McCauley’s raspy-yet-powerful voice is just what one want at the head of one's rock band. Deer Tick gives you the southern rock the Kings of Leon did prior to recording “Use Somebody.” It’s nothing you haven’t heard before, but it’s still a lot of fun to get down and dirty with some root-sy rock.

That’s about it. No real spooktacular albums coming out, but for the love of God can we stop releasing Christmas albums before we trick-or-treat?

February 15 Releases, 2012

By: Kevin Rutherford, Editorial Director

After a relatively slow start, we're finally starting to get some buzzworthy album releases for the new year. Let us waste no time in discussing this week's.

Worth first mention is a Texas band that has roots in our area.

Heartless Bastards are headed by Erika Wennerstrom, who formed the band in Cincinnati. The bluesy, garage-y rock quartet releases their fourth studio album on Tuesday, giving it the title Arrow. Spoon drummer Jim Eno is the album's producer, and given his own band's recent stab at mainstream success, it isn't much of a stretch to see the Bastards do the same. That said, this will be the band's first release on indie label Partisan Records. It's tough, therefore, to predict what kind of success Arrow might achieve.

English rockers Band of Skulls return this week with Sweet Sour, the band's first LP since 2009's acclaimed Baby Darling Doll Face Honey. The album's lead single, "The Devil Takes Care of His Own," has already reached No. 20 on the Canadian charts, and seems poised to break in both native England and in America.

Montreal's Islands return for the band's third release on ANTI- Records, and its first since 2009. A Sleep & a Forgetting is its name, and bandleader Nick Thorburn calls it "far more personal than any I’ve made before.” Exciting! Keep an eye out on ACRN.com for an interview with Islands, to be posted this weekend.

Punch Brothers are a progressive bluegrass act that I love very, very much. The band's style is not specifically bluegrass, having roots in classical music, which accentuates the quintet's quirkiness. Also setting the act apart from more conventional bluegrass bands is the vocal from mandolin player Chris Thile, whose voice is far departed from what one might expect from the genre. Check out the band's new record Who's Feeling Young Now? and enjoy the five-piece's unconventional take on rootsy Americana.

Last, but certainly not least, let's mention The Explorers Club. The six-man South Carolina band releases its second album, Grand Hotel, which is its first LP since 2008. Check out this band if you're into pop-rock and surf rock slightly in the vein of The Beach Boys -- which, I promise you, is not a poor comparison. At least, frequent Beach Boys collaborator Mark Linett doesn't think so -- he mixed Grand Hotel.

There's plenty more dropping next week, including new releases from Sleigh Bells, Cheap Girls, the Chieftains and more. Keep it locked to ACRN.com's Drop It Like It's Hot, and perhaps we'll talk a bit about them next week.

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

April 5 Album Releases

April 5 is a fairly decent day for music releases, in theory. It depends on what you're into. If you're into big releases with humongous top 40 potential and singles born to preside over every Billboard chart imaginable... stay tuned for next week, because the Foo Fighters have something for you. But if that ain't your bag, baby (and if you're reading this blog or even on this site, I'm guessing that's the case), then this week will be quite ok. Let's dive in, shall we?

One of the major releases this week is Robbie Robertson's How to Become Clairvoyant. For those of you who are like, "Deeeerp, who is he?" -- GTFO PLZ. Robertson, who in his earlier days was the guitarist and main songwriter of The Band, marks this releases as his fifth solo album overall since 1987. It features a slew of guest stars, including Trent Reznor, Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Robert Randolph and many more. It even includes Taylor Goldsmith, whose band Dawes is performing as Robertson's backing band on the singer/guitarist's live performances supporting the record. If these names aren't enough to at least have a listen, check your pulse.

Speaking of old men from old bands, Ray Davies releases See My Friends today in the U.S. The record came out last year in the U.K., and I listened to it then. Let's just say that the songs you expect to be done well --"Better Things" with Bruce Springsteen, "Days/This Time Tomorrow" with Mumford & Sons, "A Long Way From Home" with Lucinda Williams and the 88 -- are quite good. And, conversely, the tunes you'd expect to be not-so-great don't disappoint. Or they do disappoint. Ah, you know what I mean. What I'm saying is: listen to Davies and Metallica's cover of "You Really Got Me" if you need a good laugh. It was okay when they performed it at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary concert, but this is just sad.

The Kills also have a new record out, the follow-up to 2008's Midnight Boom. Blood Pressures is more than a worthy successor; as I said in my review of the album on ACRN.com, the new album "not only dominates its predecessor, but kicks it in the ass quite a few times for good measure." If you were turned off by the more poppy Midnight Boom (I sure was, and I love pop music/want to marry Taio Cruz more than one man should), do consider Midnight Boom's delectable return to the garage-blues rock that gave the duo its fame. Sure, both Allison Mosshart has The Dead Weather now too, but I'd wager that this album even blows both of that band's records out of the water. Truly, this album will not disappoint.

Plenty of other releases abound here and there. The Raveonettes, a Velvet Underground-influenced Danish rock group, release fifth album Raven in the Grave, while Jefferson Airplane spinoff Hot Tuna release their first new album in over 20 years -- Steady As She Goes. New York synthpop act Cold Cave also puts out Cherish the Light Years today on Matador Records. As they're a band ACRN does tend to play, you should certainly check them out.

Beyond these laudable releases, Jim "We Fly High" Jones -- yeah, remember him? -- puts out Capo, his first record since 2009's Pray IV Reign. Hollywood Undead also (unfortunately) returns with American Tragedy, which is quite the telling album title, if you ask me. Of course, if first single "Hear Me Now" is any indication, the L.A. rap-rock crew are going in a more mainstream rock direction (think pre-Minutes to Midnight Linkin Park), which given debut Swan Songs, might not be a bad thing altogether. Will I listen? Most likely. Because I dig pain.

Be sure to check out ACRN.com this week for a plethora of reviews of new music, including some reviews of albums I've mentioned!

--Kevin Rutherford, Managing Editor

October 18 Releases, 2011

By: Kevin Rutherford

If you've followed this blog for more than a few weeks, you know that when it comes to new music, there are good weeks and there are not-so-good weeks.

This week could probably be considered one of the latter; though, it's not due to the quality of the music presented, per se. The main issue is the selection.

Some weeks are crazy in terms of releases. Intense. Much to choose from. Like when three or four blockbuster films release on the same weekend. You just don't know where to begin.

This week, the path to take is quite clear. Start with M83.

The electronic dream pop act from France returns with their first record since 2008's acclaimed Saturdays = Youth. In fact, off that record, the song "Kim & Jessie" was ranked at No. 256 on Pitchfork's 500 Best Songs of the 2000s. High expectations? You bet. Did it live up to them? Check back with ACRN.com later in the week to find out.

The next stop is with Jane's Addiction. Yeah, right, that Jane's Addiction. Who on earth knows how it happened, but the '90s icons are back with a new record, The Great Escape Artist. For those keeping score at home, it's their first record since 2003 and only their second since 1990.

Let's just say that the reception to the new album hasn't been too positive. Check out Staff Writer Sam Boyer's review of the album for further details. And she's a '90s freak, so you know you have an expert on the genre talking here.

Everlast, formerly of '90s rap act House of Pain, continues to try to reclaim the success of "What It's Like" with Songs of the Ungrateful Living. When Everlast is the third largest artist I mention this week, you know things aren't going well.

Family Force 5 keeps trying to make crunk rock happen with III. If the first single, "Wobble," is any indication, you'll be listening to this record purely to have something to laugh at for your next party. Any song that takes a term commonly used in American dubstep and applies it to music that is decidedly not dubstep is just asking for it. Granted, the term "wobble" has other connotations, but let's think in terms of the modern day here.

Plus, these lyrics:
"Scenie babies/ Throwback 'cedes/ Bleach-blonde hair and your neon shadies/ Skinny jeans/ Know what I mean/ Roll the red carpet out the limousine."

What the actual fuck?

No, you know what, that's it. I'm done. Humanity is over. I just can't deal with music anymore.

I'm sorry, Kentucky Headhunters, Casting Crowns, Bond, Kimya Dawson, My Brightest Diamond and Patrick Stump. I just... I can't do this anymore. I quit.