Happy Tuesday, everyone. We’ll start with a question for you guys. Do you guys remember the term “soft rock?” Well, these days they call it “adult alternative,” and two of the most popular artists in that particular subgenre have new albums out today. Widely derided San Francisco band Train has not let said derision (mostly due to the goofy lyrics of their hit singles like “Meet Virginia” and “Hey Soul Sister”) get in their way of massive, Grammy-winning success. Their new album California 37, containing the hit single “Drive By,” arrives today. In addition, John Mayer-lite turned Jack Johnson-lite singer/songwriter Jason Mraz is pushing his fourth album out, entitled Love Is A Four Letter Word. That album has already spawned a Top Ten hit in “I Won’t Give Up.”
Some might ask “why have Jack Johnson-lite when you can have the real Jack Johnson?” Well, the Hawaiian singer/guitarist/surfer has an all-star live album hitting stores today. Jack Johnson & Friends: Best of Kohua Festival culls six years worth of charity performances from the likes of Johnson, Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson and many others. Contact high not included. Although if you could get a contact high from a CD or download, I’d probably vote for the soundtrack to the film Marley ahead of Johnson’s project. This Bob Marley biopic is sure to contain the late reggae master’s biggest hits.
SWV & Dragonforce, musically, are complete opposites, but they’ll be sharing space at record store shelves today. The Grammy-nominated female trio has been gone for a decade and a half, and the mature ladies are back with I Missed Us, which will hopefully appeal to the generation of fans who…well, missed them. Meanwhile, hard rockers Dragonforce are almost single-handedly trying to bring back the era of hair metal. However, they’re doing it with a new lead singer by the name of Marc Hudson, and a new album, The Power Within.
Canadian rockers Our Lady Peace have a new album called Curve out today. Does that sound familiar? I bet it does if you read our review from yesterday. Other artists who have albums out today include new singer/songwriter Eric Hutchinson (saw his video on VH-1 recently, looks interesting) and alt-rockers Neon Trees.
As always, Pause and Play is the place you need to be for all your other new release needs.