Here's another cherry picked selection of recent new releases / just added albums at Rhapsody. Nothing too deep, just a quick rundown of the most significant new albums and under hyped gems you might otherwise never hear of. Just one man's opinion.
Links take you to Rhapsody - it'll ask you if you want to launch the service (assuming you already have it installed) or want to sign up and give it a try. I get no kick backs if you do so remember if you're not into the Rhap you can probably find streams or samples of most of this music at iTunes, Yahoo, Napster or Amazon
Tim McGraw : Let It Go - Wokmanlike mainstream country. Too good to dismiss but still too pedestrian to make many converts.
Good Charlotte : Good Morning Revival - What McGraw's album is too suburban country so is Good Charlotte's fourth release to generic pop punk/punk pop.There's nothing bad here but there's nothing exceptional either.
Elliott Yamin - Being blissfully ignorant of all but the most earth shaking American Idol news this debut collection of blue eyedsoul from AI short lister Yamin came as a pleasant surprise. On the other hand I can't imagine ever wanting to voluntarily listen to it again.
Jack Ingram : This is it - A far more satisfying slice of country than McGraw's offering if only for unexpected Hinder cover.
Kaiser Chiefs : Your's Truly, Angry Mob - Now this is more like it. Tight, melodic and clever songwriting, polished production and passionate performances. The Good Charlotte's of the world could learn a lot about the craft of Rock & Roll from the Kaiser Chiefs. Highly recommended.
June Tabor : Apples - The definitive woman's voice of British Folk. Exquisite song selection and gorgeous performances. Highly recommended and be sure to delve head o into Tabor's astonishing back catalog.
Silent Sun : Dad's Weird Dream - Sweet slice of artsy brit pop. Fun and highly Recommended
Michael Cashmore : The Snow Abides - If Tiny Tim had actually been talented he might have sounded something like this. Especially if he'd hooked up with The Divine Comedy.Different but worth a listen.
Frank Vignola : Vignola Plays Gershwin - Swingin' set of Gershwin greatness from guitarist Vignola. Nice.
Cannonball Adderley Quintet - In San Fransisco - Smokin' live set augmented by a pair of alt. takes.
Warren Zevon Reissues:
The Envoy (4 bonus tracks)
Stand in the Fire (Monumental live album with 3 restored LP tracks)
Excitable Boy (Classic now served with 4 bonus tracks) -
Robert Plant Reissues - Not a patch on Zep but Plant's solo work has
had it's moments.
Pictures at Eleven
Shaken 'n Stirred
Stevie Nicks : Crystal Visions The Best... - Greatest Hits package featuring a few recent live cuts that might be of interest to Stevie's more ardent admirers.
80's/90's Completists:
Information Society : Peace & Love Hack
Kincaid: Good Citizen of the Month
The Fall : Reclamation Post TLC - Well, it The Fall innit?
David Ball : Heartaches by the Number - Strong set of trad-country twangers.
Daphne Loves Darby : Good Night, Witness Light - Better than average Emo offering. Worth a listen..
Breathing Room : Coming Clean - Think a less cod celtic Corrs gone CCM. Not bad for what it is...
Lester Chambers - It's Time: The Blues - Pure & Simple.
Alexa Wilkinson : Lullaby Appetite - Competent girl-pop that would probably be a monster if it were s by a major.
Glowfriends : A Farewell to Fair Weather - Decent indie-pop offering
What you really should be listening to...
Maggini Quartet : Malcom Arnold - String 1 & 2, Phantasy for Quartet " Vita Abundans"
John Tomlinson: Batok's Bluebeard's Castle
Well that about does it for the moment - after sampling about a quarter of Rhapsody's new additions for the week I'm burnt out by the mediocrity. Look for an update in a day or two.