New Release Tuesday January 20, 2009

What’s happenin’ everyone? Awesome…I’m going to start a new ongoing weekly category of the notable CD’s & DVD’s that are released every Tuesday.

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And if there are any that I overlook I’d love for people to post others…Thanks for reading! Peace

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CD’s – Greatest day ever! Several great new album releases and a new president all before lunch!!! (I had lunch at 1pm ET so I did eat it under the new and current administration…If you had lunch at say-11:45 am then that statement was not true for you. Sorry…It may also not be the “greatest day ever” if you don’t share my political affiliations in which case I am also sorry and would recommend finding someone and requesting a hug or perhaps a frozen treat such as a milkshake or a banana that has been left in the freezer. Hugs and frozen treats usually brighten my day.) Anywho…Here you go:

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Bon Iver – Blood Bank e.p.

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I am ridiculously excited about this one and am listening to it right now. For those unfamiliar, Bon Iver (pronounced – Bonnie Vare…French for “good winter”) is the brain child of Wisconsin’s Justin Vernon. He recorded his stunning 2008 debut For Emma, Forever Ago alone in a secluded cabin over the course of 3 months and in the midst of a breakup and serious illness. He released it independently in late 2007 and was re-released to a wider audience by indie label Jagjaguwar several months later.

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There has been some concern among fans that new recordings produced in a polished environment won’t produce the same raw magic and emotion of Emma. I had the same hesitation, but even though Blood Bank is fuller and more polished, it in no way detracts from the quality or power of the songs and performances. I will warn that there will be an initial knee jerk reaction to the Imogen Heap, Hide & Seek inspired vocoder and auto-tune drenched track Woods. Great start for 2009. Hope we see a full length later in the year.

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Andrew Bird – Noble Beast

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This is Bird’s follow-up to his 2007 excellent Armchair Apocrypha album. He stated in an interview that “the record I want to make here and now – the one I wish I could find in my local record store, is a gentle, lulling, polyrhythmic, minimalist yet warm tapestry of acoustic instruments. No solos, just interlocking parts.” If he’s looking for that album I would recommend he go purchase his previous release that accomplished that objective quite well. I’m looking forward to hear how well he’s able to build on his past successes.

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Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

Challenging, experimental set from Baltimore-based Indie rock super group.

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aAntony & the Johnsons – The Crying Light

One of the most unique and intimate singers around today.

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A.C. Newman – Get Guilty

Pop rock craftsman behind The New Pornographers

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aThom Yorke – The Eraser Remixes

Remixes of Thom Yorke’s- as good as it needs to be- solo record

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Steve Earle & The Del McCoury Band – The Mountain

Reissue of 1999’s classic collaboration between two country music legends.

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DVD’s
Nothing too exciting that struck me for this week with the possible exception of The Express which is the story of Ernie Davis-the first African-American Heisman Trophy winner for those of you into inspirational sports movies. Several great DVD releases the next several weeks.