Is it me, or has almost every single Eminem album wound up being released early? Breaking from the tradition of having new music come out on Tuesday (I wonder why that started), “Recovery”, along with a healthy bunch of other new albums, arrives a day early. Most people who have gotten the chance to sample Em’s latest say that it’s a return to form. It’s certainly Eminem’s most contemporary sounding albums, with production from the likes of Just Blaze and […]
Posts tagged "New Releases"
New Release Report 6/15/10: Let’s Get Drizzy
For the five of you who (like me) haven’t illegally downloaded it off of the internet, Drake’s debut album, “Thank Me Later” is finally released after a year of pre-release buzz. I’ve gotta say, the fact that “Thank” is on the lips of hip-hop fans everywhere is a testament to the marketing team behind Drake, who’ve apparently gotten hip-hop fans everywhere to drink the Kool-Aid and put their marbles behind a a personality-deficient Canadian former child actor with caterpillar eyebrows. […]
New Release Report 6/8/10: Christina Aguilera-Bionic Woman
Looks like things are starting to heat up again on the new release front, with albums out from a variety of current and former superstar artists. First on the list is Christina Aguilera with her fifth English-language studio, non-holiday album. “Bionic” is the title, and if you’re an Xtina fan, you probably don’t need me to tell you about the album’s direction. After all, she’s been talking about it ever since she debuted “Keeps Gettin’ Better” on the VMAs two […]
New Release Report 6/1/10: You Don't Know Jack
OK. I lie. If you’ve heard even one Jack Johnson record, you probably know him pretty well. The mellow Hawaiian surfer dude has very quietly become probably the most popular male pop/rock singer in the country not named John Mayer. And he’s done it without dating any celebrities, making an ass of himself in print media, or even having a hit song at radio. He definitely has a certain appeal. A lot of folks-myself included-occasionally need to hear music that […]
New Release Report 5/25/10: The Return of STP
In the end, every band that breaks up eventually gets back together, right? Unless an important member passes away…and even then, sometimes the reunion is too hard to resist. At any rate, after a two-album stint as lead singer of Velvet Revolver, a couple of solo records and a rap sheet that rivals DMX, Scott Weiland has rejoined the rest of Stone Temple Pilots. Their latest album (the first in nearly a decade) arrives in stores today. I was a […]
New Release Report 5/18/10: Feast or Famine
After a couple of weeks with barely anything to recommend, there’s a veritable cornucopia of quality new music in stores today. These releases cut across all genres, and as appreciative as I am to have good music, I’ve gotta ask: CAN Y’ALL SPREAD THIS SHIT OUT SO I DON’T FEEL GUILTY ABOUT DROPPING SIXTY BUCKS ON NEW MUSIC IN ONE DAY???? DAMN! Just saying… Anyway, these records come 100% Blerd Approved. If you don’t like ’em, maybe there’s something wrong […]
New Release Report 5/4/10: Nineties Redux & An Indie Rock Extravaganza!
I knew which titles I wanted to spotlight today, then I took a look at the list of this week’s releases and realized that there’s, like, 3 million albums coming out today. Then my head exploded. Fortunately, a crack team of scientists was able to locate the part of my brain that retains musical knowledge and typing skills, and I am miraculously able to type up this column for you today. Let’s start with what’s a huge day in the […]
The New Release Report 4/20/10: DWI (Divas with Issues)
There’s not too many things I like more than damaged people. I guess people who are damaged but try to act like they aren’t kinda piss me off, but people who revel in their damaged-ness? That’s my kinda party. I won’t go into detail about Shelby Lynne and her troubles on this page. I will say that I’m madly in love with her, and that love was reinforced when I met her backstage after a concert a few years ago […]
New Release Report 4/13/10: MGMT Clocks in for Their Shift
You don’t have to be a pretentious hipster to like MGMT. I found “Oracular Spectacular”, the duo’s 2008 debut, quite charming. However, a lot of the buzz around their new album, “Congratulations” (which is out today), has been kinda off-putting. Not the reviews of the album itself, but the way the band’s been attempting to distance themselves from their debut just smacks of pretension. I’m probably not being fair. I’m sure the album is at least worth a listen. Maybe […]
New Release Report 4/6/10: Does Sharon Jones Deserve Some Dap From You?
I, and I imagine lots of other people, found out about Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings after the DKs performed backup band duties on much of Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black”. I was totally willing to give them love for successfully recreating the sound of soul music circa 1965, but then I bought “100 Days, 100 Nights”, which pulled Winehouse (as well as Mark Ronson) out of the equation and I was quite unimpressed. Not to say Jones isn’t […]