Sorry Autograph fans, but this entry isn't about their mega hit from 1984, but rather a look at the steady stream of new music that has been filtering in over the past couple of weeks. Six more albums have been thrown into the mix, and here's a quick summary for you.
REM - Accelerate
After their last two efforts were total dogshit in my book, REM has finally made something worth while again. Peter Buck, welcome back to the band. While not every song is a home run, there is enough here to garner some repeat listens. This album is kind of like 'Monster' meets 'New Adventures in Hi-Fi' (Their most underrated album IMO)
Key Tracks: Living Well is the Best Revenge, Hollow Man, Until the Day is Done.
The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
Jack White could cover Hannah Montana tunes and I would probably love it. He just has that voice/guitar combo that rock music so desparately is in need of these days. Then you add in the vocals of Bensen and the backing maestros Keeler and Lawrence and you have a recipe for rock deliciousness.
Key Tracks: Carolina Drama, Rich Kid's Blues, These Stones Will Shout
Tristan Prettyman - Hello
This generations Edie Brickell is back with another effort. The coffee house queen gets a little poppier on this one, but she still delivers a nice backdrop to Sunday morning breakfast out on the deck. Push play and pass the orange juice.
Key Tracks: Madly, Echo, Handshake
The Kooks - Konk
I know it's krazy but kould the Kooks be any katchier? Their first album had me tapping out of my shoes, and this album has me bopping out of my socks. These guys always satisfy my secret love of Brit pop-rock. Not quite as good as Inside In / Inside Out, but close enough to avoid the sophomore jinx.
Key Tracks: See the Sun, Mr. Maker, Down to the Market
Chris Cornell - Unplugged in Sweden
This is an older release, but I just discovered it recently after some tool on American Idol did Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" the same way Cornell does on this record. There are a few covers here and some work like "Billie Jean", and some not as much, like "Redemption Song". Cornell really shines when he delivers his old Soundgarden tunes. A lot of people love the rocked out Audioslave Cornell, but I much prefer the stripped down CC. His voice is stellar on this record.
Key Tracks: Fell on Black Days, Billie Jean, Black Hole Sun
Flobots - Fight with Tools
Cake meets Eminem meets Linkin Park meets Gorillaz. Rap-rock-hip-hop with horns. Shit, I can't even begin to describe these guys, just go and listen for yourself.
Key Tracks: Handlebars, Mayday, Same Thing
There you have it, my picks for April. Shoot me an e-mail if you'd like to check anything out that I suggest on this blog, including the "Hit List" tracks on the right side of the page.
And now in honor of the wet month of April...
Top 15 songs with 'Rain' in the title
15. Why Does it Always Rain on Me - Travis
14. Here Comes the Rain Again - Eurythmics
13. So. Central Rain - REM
12. Alabama Rain - Jim Croce
11. Carolina Rain - Ryan Adams
10. Kentucky Rain - Elvis Presley
9. Rain on the Scarecrow - John Mellencamp
8. It's Raining Again - Supertramp
7. Have You Ever Seen the Rain - CCR
6. Fire and Rain - James Taylor
5. Box of Rain - Grateful Dead
4. November Rain - Guns-N-Roses
3. Fool in the Rain - Led Zeppelin
2. Purple Rain - Prince
1. No Rain - Blind Melon
Honorable Mention: Blame it on the Rain - Milli Vanilli
enjoy!
-e-
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