new arrivals: more wmg

02Mar10

ian_curtis

Unbelievable amount of New Arrivals today, many of them from the WMG family. Rather than doing an album-by-album play-by-play — which would take an epic amount of time — I’m gonna to do this mostly by genre and top-level artist, and let you guys fill in the blanks in the comments!

The Rock Picks:

Joy Division and New Order: I won’t dwell too long here, because I’ve said my piece in the reviews I wrote for the two Joy Divison records. Suffice it to say I think both Closer and Unknown Pleasures are perfect records. You can read me going bananas in the individual album reviews. New Order I like, if slightly less so. I love Power, Corruption and Lies and vary on the others (I’ve gotten through reviews of Movement, PCL and Low-Life — the rest will be trickled in over the course of the week).

The Smiths: Right now, all we have is the hits compilation — but what hits! A master class in pop songwriting (and newly remastered for this collection) Morrissey and Marr belong in the pantheon with McCartney and Lennon and McLennan and Forster. There is not a bad song on this collection, and if you’re unfamiliar, this is the place to start.

Dinosaur Jr: Dino Jr’s Warner years are dicey (there’s an Icon hub on the way), but I rep for Green Mind and Where You Been?. Pretty hard. Without A Sound had their first legitimate Alternative Nation Chart Hit (“Feel the Pain” — complete with golfing video!) but the drop was swift and steep thereafter.

Faith No More: The Real Thing and Angel Dust show up today, and both are untouchable.

Tori Amos: I can hear some of you snickering from here, but not so fast! Under the Pink is excellent, and will surprise some of you who think you don’t like Tori. With a creepy guest spot from then-boyfriend Trent Reznor on “Past the Mission,” Under the Pink is Tori’s certified goth-macabre record, loaded with great songs. Little Earthquakes is also somewhat unfuckwithable, as is Songs from the Choirgirl Hotel. You’re on your own after that.

Sam Phillips, Fan Dance: THIS RECORD IS EXCELLENT. Spare, haunting folk music topped with Phillips’ perfectly ruined voice. Highly, highly recommended.

Brian Wilson, Smile: Perhaps you know something about this? Wilson returned to the studio and completed legendary unfinished Beach Boys record — it’s pretty much a masterpiece. Let’s call it a middle-aged symphony to God.

Fountains of Wayne, Utopia Parkway: Power pop perfection, the high water mark for Adam Schlesinger, where every one of his formidable skills was firing at their peak.

Gallows, Grey Britain: Angry post-hardcore band throws down more bile on this excellent, and somewhat overlooked, follow-up to the (also excellent) Orchestra of Wolves. This one’s a grower — I dismissed it at first, but time (as it usually does) proved me the asshole.

Jim Carroll Band, Catholic Boy: THOSE ARE PEOPLE WHO DIED, DIED! THOSE ARE PEOPLE WHO DIED, DIED! THOSE ARE PEOPLE WHO DIED, DIED! THEY WERE ALL MY FRIENDS — AND THEY DIED!

King’s X: I used to really love this band. That may be all I have to say about this. I’m putting Faith, Hope & Love By King’s X back on my iPod. We’ll see how that works out.

The R&B Picks:

Otis Redding: Dock of the Bay, Live in Europe and The Dictonary of Soul, all in today, all astonishing. “Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)” is maybe one of my favorite songs ever. And, good god, Live in Europe will blow your hair back. If you’re unfamiliar, your Otis education should start here.

Brandy, Afrodisiac: Say what you will, this record is great — mature, elegant, hypnotic in spots — I had this on constant repeat when it came out. The title track, especially, is a beautiful bit of computer love. I can’t wait to listen to this again later today.

Cassie, Cassie: Another excellent record — fans of odd, experimental, synth-heavy production, this one’s for you. Seriously. Her voice is tiny and lovely and it glides over the spare backing tracks perfectly. Whisper quiet and lovely: excellent modern pop.

The Hip-Hop Picks

Das EFX, Dead Serious: Oh my God how good is this record? Seriously, do yourself a favor, spend one credit on “Mic Checka.” Classic 90s hip-hop with that great, grainy production and mile-a-minute lyrics. I m-m-m-make the wonder twins de-ac-ti-vate.

Little Brother, The Minstrel Show: Contemporary classic of conscious hip-hop. I think I may be the only one in the dept who likes this but, hey, I like it.

Trick Daddy: I am very much a fan of Trick Daddy, and you may be, too. Talking Heads fans, take a listen to the song “Sugar” on Thug Matrimony and prepare for a little surprise.

International Picks:

Buena Vista Social Club: How have I still not seen this movie? The album that gave much-needed global exposure to the lively, vibrant conemporary Cuban music scene. It’s pretty much excellent.

Cateano Veloso, The Best of Caetano Veloso: The title doesn’t lie: stone classics from one of the inventors of Tropicalia.

Cham, Ghetto Story: Excellent modern reggae record recounting tough times in impoverished Jamaica. Will appeal to fans of old and new school (skews dancehall in places, very ‘digital-reggae’ in sound).

joe.
Filed under: music, new arrivals   |  36 Comments

36 Responses to “new arrivals: more wmg”  

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  1. 1 rifraz on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    I second the Faith No More comment. Angel Dust is one of my favorite album of the 90′s. As far as your King’s X comment, I have those same exact sentiments about a bunch of the artists that showed up today, including Tori Amos.

  2. 2 joe on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    I hear you. I am hoping to be pleasantly surprised by King’s X.

  3. 3 ilya on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    Bunch of new Boredoms records came in today as well. Worth a look.

    http://www.emusic.com/artist/Boredoms-MP3-Download/11590096.html

    I’ve always liked Seadrum/House Of Sun

  4. 4 Daniel, Esq. on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    Kraftwerk’s Computer Love, the Urban Cowboy OST, Ali Farka Toure on Nonesuch.

    Wow.

  5. 5 rifraz on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    I was hoping that when we got a Nonesuch drop, we’d see some Magnetic Fields with it. Maybe next time, I suppose…

  6. 6 ptolemyclark on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    Omg King’s X!

  7. 7 Tom Hilton on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    I think both Closer and Unknown Pleasures are perfect records.

    Yeah, well, I bet you also think water is wet and sugar is sweet. ;-)

  8. 8 Daniel, Esq. on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    {quote}Right now, all we have is the hits compilation {/quote}

    So later on we’re getting the full studio albums . . . ?!?????

  9. 9 Daniel, Esq. on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    Damn HTML codes. How do I get that cool block-quote to work?

  10. 10 alex on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    CASSIE

  11. 11 Adamm on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    [quote]Damn HTML codes. How do I get that cool block-quote to work?[/quote]

    [, not { ?

  12. 12 Adamm on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    nope.

  13. 13 Daniel, Esq. on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    Monsters of Folk, if anyone cares (Tr: I don’t):

    http://www.emusic.com/album/Monsters-Of-Folk-Monsters-Of-Folk-MP3-Download/11845896.html

  14. 14 Tim on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    Closer or Unknown Pleasures? I like the “hits” off UP, but on listening today, I’m surprised at how much more “mature” Closer sounds. (I’ve also always been struck by how dance-y JD sounded live.) I’m getting them both, mind you, but I wonder what you kids think about the two relative to each other?

  15. 15 Craig on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    Daniel – I find it odd. I really don’t care for Monsters of Folk or She & Him, but I really like M. Ward’s solo stuff. Not sure what that’s about.

    I also need to throw my support behind some Tori Amos (really the three mentioned by Joe). I’ve always thought “From the Choirgirl Hotel” was seriously underrated.

    Refresh can’t get here fast enough.

    Craig

  16. 16 joe on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    I prefer Closer just because it’s so unrelenting, but Unknown Pleasures is perfect in its own way.

    Daniel – that was just weird semantics on my Smiths reference — no idea at all if the studio albums will follow!

  17. 17 Daniel, Esq. on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    Craig: I love M. Ward’s solo stuff. I just had a visceral dislike for the MOF project from the time I heard about it. The first track is okay, but it’s as bland as I imagined from Track No. 2 forward.

  18. 18 Daniel, Esq. on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    And no worries, Joe. This is among the top-three best New Release Tuesdays I’ve ever seen at eMusic.

  19. 19 Richard on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    Is there a Canadian version of 17 dots? This issue is seriously disappointing with a lot of interesting things I can’t access.

  20. 20 Greg on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    Looks like pretty much the whole shebang from The Pogues:
    http://www.emusic.com/artist/The-Pogues-MP3-Download/11591486.html

  21. 21 Daniel, Esq. on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    Wow, that’s a great find! Thanks, Greg.

    And — OMG — how did I miss this? HAPPY MONDAYS’ LOADS

    http://www.emusic.com/album/Happy-Mondays-Loads-MP3-Download/11841856.html

  22. 22 Maz-man on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    Wow thanks Daniel for the Happy Mondays – just downloaded!

    Also some Orbital albums particular good is Diversions!

  23. 23 hoosfoos on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    Another international pick: Orchestra Baobab’s Pirates Choice is considered their classic.

    http://www.emusic.com/album/Orchestra-Baobab-Pirates-Choice-MP3-Download/11845877.html

  24. 24 Daniel, Esq. on Mar 2nd, 2010 said:

    My pleasure. More:

    OMG The Streets, Original Pirate Material!!!!!! (AMAZING ALBUM)

    http://www.emusic.com/album/The-Streets-Original-Pirate-Material-MP3-Download/11841322.html

    The Streets, The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living

    http://www.emusic.com/album/The-Streets-The-Hardest-Way-to-Make-An-Easy-Living-MP3-Download/11842149.html

    Howard Jones, Human’s Lib

    http://www.emusic.com/album/Howard-Jones-Human-s-Lib-MP3-Download/11837960.html

    A large portion of the Gilberto Gil catalogue:

    http://www.emusic.com/artist/Gilberto-Gil-MP3-Download/10565834.html

    Jesus & Mary Chain, Darklands

    http://www.emusic.com/album/Jesus-And-Mary-Chain-Darklands-MP3-Download/11838044.html

    Junior Senior, d-d-don’t Stop The Beat

    http://www.emusic.com/album/Junior-Senior-d-d-don-t-don-t-stop-the-beat-MP3-Download/11842204.html

    Pretenders, Learning To Crawl

    http://www.emusic.com/album/Pretenders-Learning-To-Crawl-Expanded-MP3-Download/11842754.html

    Ratt, Out Of The Cellar (okay, okay, easy now . . .)

    http://www.emusic.com/album/Ratt-Out-Of-The-Cellar-MP3-Download/11842250.html

    V/A, Run The Road II

    http://www.emusic.com/album/Run-The-Road-Run-The-Road-II-MP3-Download/11841924.html

    Ry Cooder & Manuel Galban, Mambo Sinuendo

    http://www.emusic.com/album/Ry-Cooder-Manuel-Galban-Mambo-Sinuendo-MP3-Download/11841634.html

    Scott Weiland, 12 Bar Blues (see parenthetical for Ratt)

    http://www.emusic.com/album/Scott-Weiland-12-Bar-Blues-MP3-Download/11841620.html

    The Communards, The Communards

    http://www.emusic.com/album/The-Communards-Communards-MP3-Download/11842703.html

    The Darkness, Permission To Land (see parenthetical for Scott Weiland)

    http://www.emusic.com/album/The-Darkness-Permission-To-Land-MP3-Download/11841781.html

    The Donnas, Spend The Night

    http://www.emusic.com/album/The-Donnas-Spend-The-Night-MP3-Download/11842509.html

    New stuff from The Durutti Column

    http://www.emusic.com/artist/The-Durutti-Column-MP3-Download/11590862.html

    Urban Cowboy, OST

    http://www.emusic.com/album/Urban-Cowboy-Soundtrack-Urban-Cowboy-Soundtrack-MP3-Download/11841657.html

    Whew!, what a great day for new releases.

  25. 25 joe on Mar 3rd, 2010 said:

    Oh man. I never really got with the Happy Mondays.

  26. 26 rifraz on Mar 3rd, 2010 said:

    @Daniel re: RATT – I actually downloaded the greatest hits compilation last week thinking we weren’t going to be getting Out Of The Cellar. The only tracks that hold up at all are the ones off Cellar, but only barely…

  27. 27 Tom Hilton on Mar 3rd, 2010 said:

    Tim: that’s like asking me to choose between my two kids, if I had two kids. Both perfect in different ways.

  28. 28 Tom Hilton on Mar 3rd, 2010 said:

    Damn HTML codes. How do I get that cool block-quote to work?

    Pointy brackets (the ones above the comma and the period), with “blockquote”.

  29. 29 Daniel, Esq. on Mar 3rd, 2010 said:

    Wait, so which of the following works?

    BLOCKQUOTE

    BLOCKQUOTE

    BLOCKQUOTE

    Probably none. I’m a blockhead.

  30. 30 Daniel, Esq. on Mar 3rd, 2010 said:

    Oh!

  31. 31 Daniel, Esq. on Mar 3rd, 2010 said:

    Oh man. I never really got with the Happy Mondays.

    You mean you don’t like them, or haven’t really been exposed to them?

  32. 32 beergal on Mar 3rd, 2010 said:

    Richard: I second your disappointment. Nothing here that’s available in Canada. From our perspective, this must be one of the thinnest new release weeks ever.

  33. 33 JTO on Mar 3rd, 2010 said:

    Richard, beergal: none of this is available in the UK either. I think all WMG release are US only (so far…?).
    …maybe there’s a non-WMG new arrivals post coming…?

    I’m looking out for the new Kaki King album “Junior” , but it doesn’t appear to be here yet (was released March 1 in Europe via Cooking Vinyl). Is there a delay getting it on emusic?

  34. 34 flamgirlant on Mar 3rd, 2010 said:

    You haven’t seen Buena Vista Social Club???? I’m shocked. It’s amazing – one of my favorite films of all time. And hooray for Ceatano Veloso!!

  35. 35 Nergal on Mar 3rd, 2010 said:

    Damnit Daniel

    Alien

    ESQ stole all my good one’s (WOO HOO return of the streets if you don’t have these albums get them NOW

  36. 36 Daniel, Esq. on Mar 3rd, 2010 said:

    that’s me: Daniel

    Alien

    ESQ.

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