· Perfectly timed for a cool breeze through the warm summer air, three new CDs are taking the acoustic route. The implosion of this summer's Lollapalooza tour was a big disappointment for me, as I was really looking forward to seeing Michael Franti & Spearhead, a smart political voice in the dialogue on race and our common humanity since his days fronting the Beatnigs and Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy.
Do you remember Spearhead's 1994 hit "Hole in a Bucket"? This Tuesday the Boo Boo Wax Records/iMUSIC imprint is releasing Franti's solo acoustic album, Songs from the Front Porch, available only as a tough-to-find Australian import since 2002. More soulful and tender with age, Franti channels the socially conscious spirits of Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley. Highlights include the cleverly reflective "Anybody Seen My Mind" and the finger-plucked honey of "Stay Human" and its "every flower gotta right to be bloomin'" lyric roll.
· Who'da thunk that Swedish punks Millencolin might have such a romantic sweetheart hidden within frontman Nikola Sarcevic? Next week Epitaph's Burning Heart Records label is releasing his solo debut, Lock-Sport-Krock, lush with piano- and acoustic-guitar-driven country ballads, Americana imagery, and shimmering crooners. Playfully pop with the xylophone-tinkled "Viola" and the Dylanesque harmonica on "Lovetrap," this one is a real surprise.
· Recorded over two nights last year at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, Widespread Panic is releasing an all-acoustic experience on CD this coming Tuesday. Entitled Uber Cobra, these recordings diverge from the expected, as the band is just wrapping up a long tour and shaking off some of the dust by treating fans to a peppering of cool cover selections and pedal-steel-guitar player John Keane on four tracks. Drawn from an intriguing list of influences, some of these cover treats on this Sanctuary Records release include David Byrne's "City of Dreams," Neil Young's "Walk On," Vic Chestnut's "Expiration Day," and Steve Winwood's classic "Can't Find My Way Home."
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts Norah Jones tonight and Los Lonely Boys on Thursday; The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes Outkast on Thursday, PJ Harvey on Friday, The Polyphonic Spree on Monday, and Jet on Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Sonic Youth this evening overnight, Sting on Thursday overnight, Lambchop on Monday overnight, and Burning Brides on Tuesday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly sits down with Donavon Frankenreiter on Friday overnight; and Jimmy Kimmel Live boasts Lionel Richie on Thursday overnight and No Doubt with Bow Wow Wow on Tuesday overnight.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, July 13:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Adem - Homesongs (Domino) new from the Fridge bassist
Joan Armatrading - Live (SLG) CD or DVD filmed last year in California
Beenie Man - Back to Basics (Virgin) with producer Timbaland
Jimmy Buffett - License to Chill (Mailboat) parrot-head tunes country style with guests Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, and Nanci Griffith
C.AARMÉ - C.AARMÉ (Burning Heart/Epitaph) from Gothenburg, Sweden
Candiria - What Doesn't Kill You ... (Type A Records) first new music since the band's near-fatal tour-van accident in 2002
Derrick Carter & Mark Farina - Live at Om (Om Records) live, unedited two-CD set from these deep-house kings recorded this past Valentine's Day in San Francisco
Cherie - Cherie (Lava) the battle of the Lolitas has a new entry with this 19-year-old French diva
A Cinderella Story - original motion picture soundtrack (Hollywood) with star Hilary Duff covering the Go-Go's classic "Our Lips Are Sealed"
Doctor Mix & The Remix - Wall of Noise (Acute) super fuzzed-out project from Eric Debris of Metal Urbain, mixing originals with deconstructed covers of songs by The Stooges, Velvet Underground, and David Bowie
Dokken - Hell to Pay (Sanctuary) all new featuring both an electric and unplugged version of "Care for You"
Dr. John - N'Awlinz: Dis, Dat, or D'udda (Blue Note) with guests Randy Newman, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Evergreen Terrace - At Our Worst (Victory) collection of live, demo, and previously unreleased tracks
Fat Jon - Lightweight Heavy (Exceptional/Studio Dist) third solo album from this member of Cincinnati's Five Deez
From First to Last - Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Bodycount (Epitaph) brutal hardcore debut from Gainesville, Florida, featuring the surprisingly tender acoustic track "Emily"
Otis Gibbs - One Day Whispers (Benchmark) debut from this singer-songwriter from Indianapolis
Junior Jack - Trust It (Play It Again Sam/Shock) full-length debut featuring the number-one Billboard club single "Da Hype," with vocalist Robert Smith of The Cure
Eleni Mandell - Afternoon (Zedtone) the fifth album of new torch songs from this sexy, breathy vocalist and her jazzy band
Martini Bros. - Love the Machines (Poker Flats) bouncy, saucy electro from this German duo, now singing in pop-perfect English
Metallica - Some Kind of Monster (Warner Bros.) eight-song EP, with a limited edition featuring a special bonus T-shirt
Only Crime - To the Nines (Fat Wreck) featuring members of the Descendents, Bane, and Good Riddance
The Polyphonic Spree - Together We're Heavy (Hollywood) on tour with David Bowie
Iggy Pop - Million Dollar Prize (Virgin) best-of collection
The Pretty Weapons - The Pretty Weapons (Uprising) featuring former members of Zao and Eyes Upon Separation
Rehasher - Off Key Madness (No Idea) new from Roger of Less Than Jake with members of Army of Ponch
The Roots - The Tipping Point (Okayplayer/Geffen) with guest Dave Chappelle
Rouge Wave - Out of the Shadow (SubPop) just off a tour with The Shins
Jason Shain - Sooner or Later (Sleeveless) fantastic sophomore effort from this gifted singer-songwriter based in New York City, full of catchy lyrics and melodies; perhaps the best "adult acoustic alternative" album I've heard all year
Coyote Shivers - Gives It To Ya Twice (Foodchain) like Lou Reed meets the Ramones, this NYC wunderkind serves up two CDs - the acoustic From My Bedroom, to Yours and the electric One Sick Pup
Stiff Little Fingers - Guitar & Drum (Kung Fu) all new from these punk legends, featuring the title-track anthem and a tribute to Joe Strummer in "Strummerville"
Ken Stringfellow - Soft Commands (Yep Roc) new from the Posies founder
They Might Be Giants - The Spine (Idlewild/Rounder) featuring the single "Experimental Film"
Tijuana Crime Scene - Change of Venue (Initial) featuring members of Get Up Kids and New Amsterdams
Wayman Tisdale - Hang Time (Rendezvous) new from the bassist and former NBA player
various artists - Confuse Yr Idols: A Tribute to Sonic Youth (Narnack) with contributions from Tub Ring, Twink, Elf Power, Steel Pole Bathtub, and Saicobab - the new side project from Yoshimi of The Boredoms
various artists - Old Enough to Know Better (Merge) benefiting the Future of Music Coalition, this three-CD set celebrates the label's 15th anniversary
various artists - The Only Constant Is Change (Volcom) two-CD set of rare tracks from Pennywise, Scatter the Ashes, Rise Against, Pepper, and more
various artists - The Blackest Album 4: An Industrial Tribute to Metallica (Cleopatra) with cover contributions from Pitchshifter, Electric Hellfire Club, Pitbull Daycare, and more
various artists - Punk Rock Is Your Friend: Sampler #5 (Kung Fu) budget-priced collection of 29 tracks, featuring demos from Underminded and dance re-mixes of Tsunami Bomb and The Vandals by Japanese producer Shingo
· Who'da thunk that Swedish punks Millencolin might have such a romantic sweetheart hidden within frontman Nikola Sarcevic? Next week Epitaph's Burning Heart Records label is releasing his solo debut, Lock-Sport-Krock, lush with piano- and acoustic-guitar-driven country ballads, Americana imagery, and shimmering crooners. Playfully pop with the xylophone-tinkled "Viola" and the Dylanesque harmonica on "Lovetrap," this one is a real surprise.
· Recorded over two nights last year at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, Widespread Panic is releasing an all-acoustic experience on CD this coming Tuesday. Entitled Uber Cobra, these recordings diverge from the expected, as the band is just wrapping up a long tour and shaking off some of the dust by treating fans to a peppering of cool cover selections and pedal-steel-guitar player John Keane on four tracks. Drawn from an intriguing list of influences, some of these cover treats on this Sanctuary Records release include David Byrne's "City of Dreams," Neil Young's "Walk On," Vic Chestnut's "Expiration Day," and Steve Winwood's classic "Can't Find My Way Home."
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts Norah Jones tonight and Los Lonely Boys on Thursday; The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes Outkast on Thursday, PJ Harvey on Friday, The Polyphonic Spree on Monday, and Jet on Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Sonic Youth this evening overnight, Sting on Thursday overnight, Lambchop on Monday overnight, and Burning Brides on Tuesday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly sits down with Donavon Frankenreiter on Friday overnight; and Jimmy Kimmel Live boasts Lionel Richie on Thursday overnight and No Doubt with Bow Wow Wow on Tuesday overnight.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, July 13:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Adem - Homesongs (Domino) new from the Fridge bassist
Joan Armatrading - Live (SLG) CD or DVD filmed last year in California
Beenie Man - Back to Basics (Virgin) with producer Timbaland
Jimmy Buffett - License to Chill (Mailboat) parrot-head tunes country style with guests Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, and Nanci Griffith
C.AARMÉ - C.AARMÉ (Burning Heart/Epitaph) from Gothenburg, Sweden
Candiria - What Doesn't Kill You ... (Type A Records) first new music since the band's near-fatal tour-van accident in 2002
Derrick Carter & Mark Farina - Live at Om (Om Records) live, unedited two-CD set from these deep-house kings recorded this past Valentine's Day in San Francisco
Cherie - Cherie (Lava) the battle of the Lolitas has a new entry with this 19-year-old French diva
A Cinderella Story - original motion picture soundtrack (Hollywood) with star Hilary Duff covering the Go-Go's classic "Our Lips Are Sealed"
Doctor Mix & The Remix - Wall of Noise (Acute) super fuzzed-out project from Eric Debris of Metal Urbain, mixing originals with deconstructed covers of songs by The Stooges, Velvet Underground, and David Bowie
Dokken - Hell to Pay (Sanctuary) all new featuring both an electric and unplugged version of "Care for You"
Dr. John - N'Awlinz: Dis, Dat, or D'udda (Blue Note) with guests Randy Newman, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Evergreen Terrace - At Our Worst (Victory) collection of live, demo, and previously unreleased tracks
Fat Jon - Lightweight Heavy (Exceptional/Studio Dist) third solo album from this member of Cincinnati's Five Deez
From First to Last - Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Bodycount (Epitaph) brutal hardcore debut from Gainesville, Florida, featuring the surprisingly tender acoustic track "Emily"
Otis Gibbs - One Day Whispers (Benchmark) debut from this singer-songwriter from Indianapolis
Junior Jack - Trust It (Play It Again Sam/Shock) full-length debut featuring the number-one Billboard club single "Da Hype," with vocalist Robert Smith of The Cure
Eleni Mandell - Afternoon (Zedtone) the fifth album of new torch songs from this sexy, breathy vocalist and her jazzy band
Martini Bros. - Love the Machines (Poker Flats) bouncy, saucy electro from this German duo, now singing in pop-perfect English
Metallica - Some Kind of Monster (Warner Bros.) eight-song EP, with a limited edition featuring a special bonus T-shirt
Only Crime - To the Nines (Fat Wreck) featuring members of the Descendents, Bane, and Good Riddance
The Polyphonic Spree - Together We're Heavy (Hollywood) on tour with David Bowie
Iggy Pop - Million Dollar Prize (Virgin) best-of collection
The Pretty Weapons - The Pretty Weapons (Uprising) featuring former members of Zao and Eyes Upon Separation
Rehasher - Off Key Madness (No Idea) new from Roger of Less Than Jake with members of Army of Ponch
The Roots - The Tipping Point (Okayplayer/Geffen) with guest Dave Chappelle
Rouge Wave - Out of the Shadow (SubPop) just off a tour with The Shins
Jason Shain - Sooner or Later (Sleeveless) fantastic sophomore effort from this gifted singer-songwriter based in New York City, full of catchy lyrics and melodies; perhaps the best "adult acoustic alternative" album I've heard all year
Coyote Shivers - Gives It To Ya Twice (Foodchain) like Lou Reed meets the Ramones, this NYC wunderkind serves up two CDs - the acoustic From My Bedroom, to Yours and the electric One Sick Pup
Stiff Little Fingers - Guitar & Drum (Kung Fu) all new from these punk legends, featuring the title-track anthem and a tribute to Joe Strummer in "Strummerville"
Ken Stringfellow - Soft Commands (Yep Roc) new from the Posies founder
They Might Be Giants - The Spine (Idlewild/Rounder) featuring the single "Experimental Film"
Tijuana Crime Scene - Change of Venue (Initial) featuring members of Get Up Kids and New Amsterdams
Wayman Tisdale - Hang Time (Rendezvous) new from the bassist and former NBA player
various artists - Confuse Yr Idols: A Tribute to Sonic Youth (Narnack) with contributions from Tub Ring, Twink, Elf Power, Steel Pole Bathtub, and Saicobab - the new side project from Yoshimi of The Boredoms
various artists - Old Enough to Know Better (Merge) benefiting the Future of Music Coalition, this three-CD set celebrates the label's 15th anniversary
various artists - The Only Constant Is Change (Volcom) two-CD set of rare tracks from Pennywise, Scatter the Ashes, Rise Against, Pepper, and more
various artists - The Blackest Album 4: An Industrial Tribute to Metallica (Cleopatra) with cover contributions from Pitchshifter, Electric Hellfire Club, Pitbull Daycare, and more
various artists - Punk Rock Is Your Friend: Sampler #5 (Kung Fu) budget-priced collection of 29 tracks, featuring demos from Underminded and dance re-mixes of Tsunami Bomb and The Vandals by Japanese producer Shingo
