Tuesday, October 3, 2006

New CD and Music DVD Releases

Fresh spins for the week of October 3

By Staff of CD World

George Strait: It Just Comes Natural

This year marks the 25th anniversary of George Straits first MCA Nashville album release Strait Country (1981). Now after 25 years of making timeless country music, selling over 62 million albums and scoring more solo #1 singles than any other recording artist in history, it is safe to say George isn’t satisfied yet. George Strait’s new album It Just Comes Natural is packed with 15 Strait-worthy tracks including the title track It Just Comes Natural and the soaring first single Give It Away.

Beck: Information

The Information is the album Beck began work on in 2003 with producer Nigel Godrich and finally completed this year once Guero’s massive success and encore touring engagements, as well as Nigel’s other commitments, were fulfilled. The Information is comprised of 15 songs and a DVD featuring homemade videos for each of the 15 songs shot in-studio during the actual sessions. The artwork for The Information is either non-existent or infinite, depending on one’s point of view. Each copy will come in a blank package with one of four collectible sticker sheets specially designed by European and American artists and representative of the unique Beck aesthetic. The stickers will give every Beck fan the opportunity to participate in the creative process by designing his or her own one of a kind CD cover.

Evanescence: Open Door

Three years and two departed bandmates since their multi-platinum debut, Fallen, Evanescence return with a new set that expands the range and power of frontwoman Amy Lee's vision. The Open Door features the single "Call Me When You're Sober."

Jet: Shine On

Following up a debut album that has sold over 3.5 million copies worldwide (2003’s 'Get Born') is no easy task. 'Get Born' produced three huge hits in ‘Are You Gonna Be My Girl’, ‘Cold Hard Bitch’ and ‘Look What You’ve Done’, and earned the band an MTV VMA for Best Rock Video. 'Shine On', Jet’s long-anticipated second release not only fills a void for hungry rock fans but sets the bar for what today’s rock bands can aspire to be. Already one of the most recognized and respected names in rock today, Jet flawlessly brings together classic rock influences with a modern rock edge. The band already has a reputation for being media favorites as well as luminaries at both radio and video. Produced by Dave Sardy (Oasis, Wolfmother), 'Shine On' is a stand out record, breathing new life into a genre that needs some shaking up.

Killers: Sam's Town

It's been a long wait but a new Killer's album has finally appeared on the horizon, with preliminary reports suggesting they've dropped the fixation with English based Indie Rock n Roll to concentrate on a more homespun sound (having heard "Hot Fuss" it may surprise you to learn that they are actually Americans hailing from Las Vegas). With songs taking their cues from, amongst others, Springsteen, Johnny Cash, The Beatles, U2 and Iggy Pop this new musical offering should be ace.

SPM: When Devils Strike

Finally, the much awaited SPM album is here! This is a double CD that includes a free screwed and chopped version by Michael "5000" Watts, the founder and CEO of Swishahouse. If you thought SPM was a lyrical genius before, you haven't heard anything yet!

Trey Anastasio: Bar 17

For Bar 17 , Trey Anastasio’s second solo album in over a year, Trey continues his evolution as guitarist, songwriter and improvisationalist to create a kaleidoscope yet cohesive experience, one of his most remarkable albums to date. Joining Trey in the studio were musicians from all eras of Trey’s career including members of Phish and various incarnations of Trey’s solo band, sting players from his Seis De Mayo project and longtime collaborator John Medeski along with new friends and avant- groovesmiths Benevento/Russo Duo, singer Carmen Keegan (I Nine) and Joan Wasser (Dambuilders, Those Bastard Souls).

Sarah Brightman: Diva: Singles Collection

Diva: The Singles Collection picks up where the Classics anthology (a collection of songs from Time To Say Goodbye, Eden and La Luna) left us in 2001: longing for more of Brightman's career-spanning hits including music from the Broadway musical that launched her international career ("Phantom of the Opera"), adult-pop hits ("Time To Say Goodbye", "Who Wants to Live Forever") and other adapted classical melodies ("Nella Fantasia", "Pie Jesu") that showcase her range from a pure sweet voice to a powerful operatic soprano.

Lindsey Buckingham: Under The Skin

The next solo album from Lindsey Buckingham, renowned for his work as the pop visionary for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Fleetwood Mac, has been the stuff of legend. That album, his first solo outing since 1992, has finally arrived. Under The Skin, with nearly every track performed and produced by Buckingham and all but two penned by him, proves to be a pop masterpiece well worth the wait.

CD World Pick!

Tim Buckley: Best Of Tim Buckley

Falling somewhere between way ahead of his time and timeless in the truest sense of the word, legendary singer-songwriter Tim Buckley’s far-reaching genius spanned both a multi-octave vocal range and a multiplicity of genres. Now one of the most mythologized figures in rock history, Buckley was born in Washington, DC and raised in Orange County, CA first emerging as a folk-rock icon with his self-titled ’66 debut LP. His fragile, soaring melodies became more intricate and free-form on subsequent albums, where psychedelic and improvisational elements were heightened as well. Buckley also followed his muse through avant-garde jazz explorations, soulful self-expression and constant stylistic redefinition, all colored by extraordinarily fluid vocals. One of music’s most influential, complex and visionary talents, Buckley died tragically young in 1975 at age 28.

Captain Beefheart: Doc At The Radar Station

2006 digitally remastered reissue of this 1980 album. This album was harder and more powerful than its predecessor, Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller), and was widely regarded as the strongest album of his latter years. Features extensive liner notes written by Beefheart expert Mike Barnes. 12 tracks.

Captain Beefheart: Ice Cream For Crow

2006 digitally remastered reissue of this 1982 release. Recorded with the inevitable Magic Band line-up change as a result of personal and financial conflict, it was the swansong for the career of Beefheart and represents his final musical offering before concentrating on his canvas painting, Features extensive liner notes written by Beefheart expert Mike Barnes. 13 tracks.

Chrome Children (Adult Swim)

Cartoon Network & Turner Broadcasting’s popular late night animation network Adult Swim have followed up on the successful release of Dangerdoom’s The Mouse and the Mask in October 2005, with a second hip hop album and DVD, Chrome Children, a collaboration with acclaimed indie label Stones Throw - presented by the album’s executive producer, Peanut Butter Wolf. Chrome Children contains brand new and exclusive material including the anticipated return of MF Doom and Madlib as Madvillain, the late J Dilla, Madlib (solo), J Rocc of the World Famous Beat Junkies, and other Stones Throw all-stars. On the DVD: MF Doom and Madlib headline a live hip hop concert. The full length concert video is produced and edited by Adult Swim.

Dears: Gang Of Losers

Exclusive US release contains three bonus tracks, 'The Highest', 'Whites Only Party' and 'There Goes My Outfit' (Acoustic Version). 2006 release from this loose collective of Montreal-area musicians led by the charismatic Murray Lightburn, who combine cabaret-style vocals with moody, intense orchestral Pop/Rock. 12 tracks including the first single 'Ticket To Immortality'.

Decemberists: Crane Wife

The Decemberists' album, "The Crane Wife," is thematically based on a tragic Japanese folk tale, but band leader Colin Meloy promises a fair dose of rock'n'roll, rape, murder and violence as well. The set is the fivesome's fourth full-length and their first since moving over to a major label from Kill Rock Stars. Recruiting Death Cab For Cutie's Chris Walla and Seattle mainstay Tucker Martine to man the decks.

Delerium: Nuages Du Monde

Lush electronic soundscaping with soaring, ethereal female vocals, emotive beats and colourful world elements. Delerium's unique style blossoms once again here in full opulent glory - the undulating synth arrangements, multi-layered and constantly varying are at their richest; strings, pianos and all manner of the global waves and samples fill the air with an exotic scent, the percussive structures inhabit that twilight space somewhere between live and digital, organic ethnic loops deftly entwined. Deep flutes and eastern wires frequently thicken the atmosphere and spacious interludes allow the synths room to evolve and shine. Many of the songs are wordless or sultry, moody affairs that work in smooth conjunction with the sumptuous programming, quirky, catchy themes that hit angelic highs and wistful lows brimming with emotion

Depeche Mode: Broken Frame

A Broken Frame, originally released in ’82, was Depeche’s first album following Vince Clarke’s departure and featured 'See You,' their highest charting single to date, as well as the early classics 'The Meaning Of Love,' and 'Nothing To Fear.' Bonus DVD features three additional bonus tracks including 'Now This Is Fun' plus a six songs from a 1982 concert at London’s Hammersmith Odeon including 'Satellite,' 'The Meaning Of Love,' and 'My Secret Garden.' 27-minute DVD film Depeche Mode: 1982 The Beginning Of Their So-Called Dark Phase chronicles a pivotal period in their early years and features recent interviews with band members.

Depeche Mode: Some Great Reward

Some Great Reward, the band’s 1984 Industrial/mainstream masterpiece, spawned the #13 Billboard® smash 'People Are People'. Also features the signature Depeche songs 'Somebody', 'Blasphemous Rumors', and 'Master And Servant.' DVD boasts three additional tracks including 'In Your Memory' and a remix of 'Somebody,' plus five songs captured live in concert in Basel and Liverpool in ’84 including 'People Are People' and 'Master And Servant.' 27-minute DVD film Depeche Mode 1984: You Can Get Away With Anything If You Give It A Good Tune explores the band circa ’84 and also features recent interview segments.

Depeche Mode: Songs Of Faith & Devotion

Songs Of Faith & Devotion, an explosive Billboard® #1 album when it was released in ’93, continued the band’s winning streak and introduced the Top 40 smash 'I Feel You.' Also features the classic tracks 'Condemnation,' 'Walking In My Shoes,' and 'In Your Room,' the focal point of the album’s blend of the personal and the spiritual. DVD delivers eight additional tracks including 'My Joy' and seven remixes including the Paris Mix of 'Condemnation,' the Zephyr Mix of 'In Your Room,' and the Life’s Too Short Mix of 'I Feel You.' New DVD film Depeche Mode 1991-94: We Were Going To Live Together, Record Together And It Was Going To Be Wonderful chronicles the band around the time of this massive album and also features recent footage looking back.

DFA Remixes: Chapter Two

The DFA duo James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy are back with their second in a series of groundbreaking remix compilations. Chapter Two includes remixes of NERD, Nine Inch Nails, Goldfrapp, UNKLE and more.

Dimmu Borgir: Godless Savage Garden

Dimmu Borgir’s catalog has 'Scanned over 400,000 in the U.S. alone! Black Metal history was made last year with Death Cult Armageddon surpassing 100,000 ‘Scanned! Produced by the multi-talented Peter Tagtgren (Children Of Bodom, Immortal, Marduk, Amon Amarth), and originally released as an EP in 1998, Godless Savage Garden is arguably the band’s most over-looked release to date. However, freshly endowed with two previously unreleased live bonus tracks, the title is a quintessential element to the collection of every fan into true, raw, frostbitten Norwegian Black Metal!

Future Sound Of London: Teachings From The Electronic

The best of The Future Sound of London! FSOL were formed by Brian Dougans and Gary Cobain in the early 90's and are seen to be one of the most respected and influential electronic acts of the past 15 years. Their work enabling them to incorporate elements of classical, hip hop, electronica, industrial, punk and dub to create expansive tracks laden with samples exquisitely produced and pretty unique. FSOL are an important part of the journey from post rave electronica, with music that has successfully experimented and crossed the boundaries of trip hop, ambient, hip hop, jungle and even punk, or certainly a punk-rock attitude. 15 tracks in all.

David Grisman Bluegrass Experience

DGBX is te debut recording of the Dawg's own hand picked bluegrass band. The band includes Keith Little (Ricky Skaggs, Dolly Parton, and the Country Gentlemen), Jim Nunally (John Reisschman & the Jaybirds), Chad Manning (fiddle), Samson Grisman (bass) and of course David Grisman on mandolin.

David Grisman Quintet: Dawg's Groove

30 years ago the David Grisman Quintet's first album revolutionized the world of acoustic string music. This latest release - Dawg's Groove continues the enduring legacy of that historic album with all new material and a new incarnation of one of the most influential and musically innovative bands in America today.

Heaven 17: Luxury Gap

2006 digitally remastered reissue of the sophomore album from this Sheffield synthpop trio, originally released in 1983. Features four bonus tracks: 'Let Me Go' (12 Inch Extended Version), 'Who'll Stop The Rain' (Dub), 'Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry' (Parts 1 & 2/Uninterrupted Single Version) and 'Come Live With Me' (12 Inch Single Version).

Heaven 17: Penthouse & Pavement

2006 digitally remastered reissue of the debut album from this Sheffield synthpop trio, originally released in 1981. Features four bonus tracks: 'Are Everything' (12 Inch Version), 'I'm Your Money' (12 Inch Version), 'Decline Of The West' and 'Honeymoon In New York'.

Robyn Hitchcock & Venus 3: Ole! Tarantula

Robyn Hitchcock sought out some old friends to record his new album, Ole! Tarantula, and he found the Venus 3: Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey and Bill Rieflin. By enlisting "3/4s of the Minus 5 and half of R.E.M," Hitchcock has created what he calls, "the rockingest record I've made in years." While the album roars with the garage-fueled energy of his Soft Boys days, Hitchcock's lyricism continues to drive his songs. The New York Times says, "[His songs] bridge the psychedelia of Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett and the archetypal English 'nonsense' of Edward Lear," and Rolling Stone says, "Robyn Hitchcock's songs are a lot like the genetic code: they're tough to crack, but the secret of life is in there somewhere." Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3 will be touring in the fall of 2006.

Hold Steady: Boys & Girls In America

Boys and Girls in America' is a quintessential sonic mission statement of the band. It’s a true-blue classic rock n roll record, delivered by one of the nation’s classic band-in-the-making. Thematically, the album addresses the travels and travails of the relationships between the x & y’s of our great country. The complex Catholicism-meets-haracter driven-narrative of Separation Sunday is not the driving force of Boys and Girls in America. Instead, The Hold Steady return to their roots, their love and respect for writing, making and playing rock n roll for the sake of rock n roll; ripe with anthemic choruses, genre defining and mind blowing guitar solos, lyrical wit and the masterful mix of the keyboards, drums and bass along with several sonic delights.

Jonezetta: Popularity

The wait is over. Jonezetta's "Popularity" has arrived as perhaps the most anticipated Tooth & Nail debut album to date. Much like neo-new wave giants The Killers and Franz Ferdinand, Jonezetta is on a mission to rejuvenate a pop-rock landscape that has been tread by epic bands such as The Cure. Like the rich blues embedded in the Mississippi soil around them, "Popularity" is full of mood and atmosphere, with hooks that slice through the fog the way song titles like "Hot Machete" and "Backstabber" would suggest. With help from producer Steve Wilson, Jonezetta will put their fans' anxieties to rest with their long-awaited debut, promising to capture the attention of naive onlookers in the underground scene and mainstream alike.

Kooks: Inside In/Inside Out

Exclusive US version includes a bonus track and the enhanced video to 'Eddie's Gun'. Inside In/Inside Out is the eagerly anticipated debut album from young Brighton four-piece The Kooks, produced by Tony Hoffer (Beck, Air, Supergrass) and recorded at Ray Davies' KONK Studios in North London. The Kooks fully demonstrate their plenitude of clever guitar hooks and jerk-pop antics, with fourteen quirky and energetic tunes including 'Eddie's Gun'.

Chris Ledoux: Ultimate Collection

Chris LeDoux began writing songs almost as early as he began riding . He won the Wyoming State Rodeo Championship after graduating high school and began recording his own albums in 1972. He would sell his tapes at the rodeos and build a devoted fan base that would continue to support him over the course of his life. After releasing 22 albums on his own, he signed with Capitol Records when Garth Brooks name checked him in a hit song. Chris went on to release another 9 albums before losing his battle with liver cancer in 2005. The Ultimate Collection includes all of Chris LeDoux's biggest hits!

Amos Lee: Supply & Demand

Supply and Demand, the second studio album from Philadelphia native Amos Lee, illuminates his growth from emerging singer-songwriter to established recording artist. From the sparse, powerful, family elegy Long Line of Pain, to the country-r&b flavored title track, Supply and Demand, this album is rich with big league songwriting, compelling musicianship and captivating vocals.

Sean Lennon: Friendly Fire

Following Into the Sun, Lennon's acclaimed 1998 solo debut, Friendly Fire is a cinematic suite of songs which share the same dizzying wealth of musical styles as its predecessor, but eschews some of its freeform tendencies for more traditional song structure and some unifying themes.

Los Straitjackets: Twist Party

Take one part masked guitar mayhem, toe-tapping triplets from Trenton, and a hip-swiveling, bespectacled Scotsman and you have in your hands an instant party! While Los Straitjackets, The World Famous Pontani Sisters and Kaiser George have been dazzling audiences with their spectacular nightclub acts The Christmas Pageant and The Twist Party for the past few years, this is your first opportunity to take the magic home with you. On the Twist Party CD, there are 16 rockin' tunes - each with its own dance step: 13 original songs and 3 fabulous covers, including the perennial favorite "The Peppermint Twist." On the accompanying DVD, the Pontani Sisters teach you how to warm up, cool down and rock out to "The Kitty Kat" and "The Daddy-O" with step-by-step dance instruction.

Sarah McLachlan: Mirrorball: Complete Concert

Every serious music fan yearns to be present at that point immediately before a truly talented artist springboards into superstardom. For Sarah McLachlan that moment was the Mirrorball tour Spring of 1998. It was later that year that Sarah founded the Lilith Fair which summarily catapulted her to international prominence. Recordings culled from 35 different tour dates made up the 3-times platinum live collection Mirrorball. Now for the first time ever, the spectacular closing show in Portland is available on CD in its entirety and as it was performed. Beautifully re-mastered from the original tapes, Mirrorball - The Complete Concert is a 2-hour snapshot of Sarah at her purest, on the brink of her huge success.

Pepper: No Shame

Following up on the 2004 Modern Rock Radio success of Kona Town’s 'Give It Up' which received massive airplay on KROQ Los Angeles, WXRK New York, 91X San Diego, KEDJ Phoenix and many others Pepper return with No Shame. Lending a hand to the southern California sound of No Shame, Nick Hexum (311), Tony Kanal (No Doubt), and Paul Leary (Sublime/Butthole Surfers) all produced tracks for the albums. These road warriors have been out all summer opening for 311 and will then head out on a co-headline tour with Slightly Stoopid this fall.

Live at the Granada December 1 with Slightly Stoopid!

Pernice Brothers: Live A Little

Live a Little is the sixth recording by The Pernice Brothers, and it marks as much a return to form as it does a departure from what came before it. Lyrically, it's another masterpiece. "Grudge F*** (2006)" was a Scud Mountain Boys song but instead of the gentle, almost lazy, plaintive plodding of the original recording, the Pernice Brothers version out-Badfingers Badfinger and that's good. You can feel its pain. It also has the trademark Pernice geography obsession. There are eleven very excellently crafted and executed new songs in all.

Pet Shop Boys: Pop Art: Hits

Two CD set compiling the absolute best hits from Synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys (Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe). From their first hit, 'West End Girls', PSB had their fingers on the pulse of what made a great single, and they consistently released some of the finest Dance tunes of the '80s and '90s. This collection features 35 classics including 'It's A Sin', 'Left To My Own Devices', 'New York City Boy', 'Suburbia', 'Always On My Mind' and many more. One of the few CDs that's perfect for dancing to, singing along to or just relaxing and listening to.

Placebo: Placebo

Released to commemorate 10 illustrious years as one of the biggest rock bands in the world, Placebo’s debut album has been re-mastered with five additional tracks and re-packaged with a bonus DVD featuring seven extremely rare live appearances and brand new deluxe artwork. DVD content is a must-have for the band’s many thousands of hardcore fans, as it features rare British TV appearances and live footage.

John Popper: John Popper Project

John Popper gained fame as the lead singer of Blue Traveler, who released several hit albums throughout the '90's. Popper is widely considered a harmonica virtuoso, as well as a terrific singer/songwriter. John's latest solo album, The John Popper Project featuring DJ Logic is bringing John's Blues/Rock oriented fans and crossing over to DJ Logic's fan base, with the resulting album becoming a showcase for the band's immense talent and versatility.

Pretenders: Pretenders

Pretenders, the band’s stunning debut album, was originally released in 1980 and hit #9 in Billboard®. Introduced the Pretenders classics 'Kid,' 'Precious,' 'Mystery Achievement' and the #14 Billboard® hit 'Brass In Pocket.' Plus the band’s distinctive take on Ray Davies 'Stop Your Sobbing, which was their breakthrough single in the U.K. and the U.S. Bonus disc 2 boasts previously unreleased demos for 'Kid,' 'Brass In Pocket,' 'Stop Your Sobbing,' 'Tequila,' and more, plus a 'Cuban Slide' outtake and BBC performances including 'Mystery Achievement.' Also features previously unreleased live gems including 'Precious,' 'The Phone Call,' and 'Tattooed Love Boys' recorded at Boston’s Paradise Theatre in March, 1980.

Pretenders: Pretenders II

Pretenders II first came out in 1981, rose to #10 in Billboard®, and delivered the hit single 'The Adultress.' Also features the band’s signature classics 'Message Of Love,' 'Talk Of The Town' and 'Pack It Up.' Plus another sublime cover of a Ray Davies song, 'I Go To Sleep.' Bonus disc 2 serves up previously unreleased cuts including the demo for 'Talk Of The Town,' a guitar version/outtake of 'I Go To Sleep' and a radio mix/outtake for 'Pack It Up.' Also features 13 tracks recorded live at a 1981 Santa Monica Civic Center concert including versions of 'The English Roses,' 'Message Of Love,' 'The Wait,' 'Talk Of The Town', and 'Stop Your Sobbing.'

Soul Brains: Bad Brains Reunion

Soul Brains, formerly known as Bad Brains, originally formed in Washington, DC in 1977 and named after the Ramones song Bad Brain. The Bad Brains are cited as the main influence for some of the biggest rock bands of all time and are widely considered the pioneers of hardcore punk.

Bruce Springsteen: We Shall Overcome: Seeger Sessions

The enhanced version of the album features five additional songs, an expanded documentary, exclusive live footage, and previously unseen photos. The CD, DVD, and 28-page expanded booklet are housed in a beautiful and striking package. New fan favorites "How Can A Poor man Stand Such Times And Live," "Bring 'Em Home" and "American Land" have been added and DVD features an extended, 40-minute cut of the behind-the-scenes film.

Triple Six Mafia: Smoked Out's Greatest Hits

Before Three 6 Mafia was Three 6 Mafia, they called themselves Triple Six Mafia. In the late '90s they rose to superstar success in the South's rap scene. This collection is the best of the earlier recordings as compiled by DJ Paul & Juicy J, and contains a dragged & chopped second CD.

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