This week there are strong releases in multiple genres. From Al Green’s soul to Spiritualized’s indie rock, from The Herbaliser’s R&B to Shai Hulud’s metalcore, this is one of the most diverse list of weekly recommendations The Wheel’s Still In Spin has made.
Al Green – Lay It Down | Amazon CD
Soul legend Al Green gets some help from contemporary R&B artists on his latest release. The album is produced by ?uestlove and James Poyser. Green’s vocals, as always, are in top form, but he gets a little bit of assistance from Corinne Bailey Ray, John Common, and Anthony Hamilton. The backing horns are from the Dap-Kings. Besides Green’s incredible voice, the part that stands out most to me is Chalmers “Spanky” Alford’s bluesy, soulful electric guitar playing that brings to mind the smoothness of Steve Cropper at the top of his career. After the jump, there is a “behind-the-scenes” video of the making of this album.
The Herbaliser – Same As It Never Was | Amazon CD
This R&B album bounces through different genres. It gets into hip-hop and funk at times. It’s full of catchy songs and guest vocals from Yungun (Essa), Jean Grae, More or Les, and (mostly) Jessica Darling. It’s perfectly produced throughout and even the instrumental tracks on this album are enjoyable.
The Lodger – Life Is Sweet | Amazon CD
Download “The Good Old Days” (mp3)
Download “The Conversation” (mp3)
Life Is Sweet is ear candy – pure saccharine pop rock. The songs are full of catchy melodies and lap steel, violin, and 12-string guitar added to the typical guitar, keyboards, bass, and drums.
Shai Hulud – Misanthropy Pure | Amazon CD
Download “Misanthropy Pure” (mp3)
This metalcore band mixes the hardcore influence of a band like Black Flag with the metal influence of a band like Metallica to create a mainstream appeal while definitively remaining true to the metalcore aggressiveness. These are quick, short songs. There are melodic guitars, fast tempo drums that are tight with the bass, and guttural vocals that musical and fervent.
Spiritualized – Songs In A&E | Amazon CD
This is one of the more beautifully melodic indie rock albums of the year. Accompanying the rock band are layers of orchestration – strings, choral vocals, orchestral brass. There is an expressive earnestness to J. Spaceman’s vocal performance throughout the album. The melodies are alluring and the music is intensely exquisite.
After the jump, watch a video of the making of Al Green’s Lay It Down and see a list of more new releases from this week.
A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Lay It Down:
Other releases from 27 May 2008:
36 Crazyfists – The Tide And Its Takers | Amazon CD
Ellen Allien – Sool | Amazon CD
Angel Band – With Roots & Wings | Amazon CD
Ascend – Ample Fire Within | Amazon CD
David Benoit – Heroes | Amazon CD
Blood Stands Still – Salvation Through Struggle | Amazon CD
Booka Shade – The Sun & The Neonlight | Amazon CD
Peter Broderick – Float | Amazon CD
Butcher The Bar – Sleep At Your Own Speed | Amazon CD
The Cast Pattern – The Cast Pattern | Amazon CD
The Charlatans – You Cross My Path | Amazon CD
D+ – On Purpose – Hits, Rarities, & Live Cuts | Amazon CD
Die So Fluid – Not Everybody Gets A Happy Ending | Amazon CD
The Dry Heathens – First Contact With Ground | Amazon CD
Val Emmich – Little Daggers | Amazon CD
Fallen From The Sky – Tonight We Radiate | Amazon CD
The Famine – The Raven And The Reaping | Amazon CD
Ron Franklin – Ron Franklin | Amazon CD
From A Second Story Window – Conversations | Amazon CD
Funeral Pyre – Wounds | Amazon CD
The Gates Of Slumber – Conqueror | Amazon CD
Eliza Gilkyson – Beautiful World | Amazon CD
Grace Gale – Stronger, Faster, Science | Amazon CD
H2O – Nothing To Prove | Amazon CD
Hatchet – Awaiting Evil | Amazon CD
Health//Disco | Amazon CD
John Hiatt – Same Old Man | Amazon CD
Hour Of The Wolf & Lewd Acts – Hour Of The Wolf & Lewd Acts | Amazon CD
I Love Math – Getting To The Point Is Beside It | Amazon CD
Ihsahn – Angl | Amazon CD
James Pants – Welcome | Amazon CD
Jamies Elsewhere – Guidebook For Sinners Turned Saints | Amazon CD
Joy Electric – My Grandfather, The Cubist | Amazon CD
Julie Ocean – Long Gone And Nearly There | Amazon CD
Kataklysm – Prevail | Amazon CD
Cyndi Lauper – Bring Ya To The Brink | Amazon CD
Andrew Liles & Jean-Herve Peron – Fini! | Amazon CD
The Lines – Memory Span | Amazon CD
Sharon Little – Perfect Time For A Breakdown | Amazon CD
Melou – Battery Park | Amazon CD
Midnight Juggernauts – Dystopia | Amazon CD
Mount Eerie – Black Wooden Ceiling Opening | Amazon MP3
Mourdella – This Kill Is Mine | Amazon CD
Naer Mataron – Praetorians | Amazon CD
Nineteen Ninety Seven – On The Run | Amazon CD
OK OK – Eating Mantis | Amazon CD
One Flew South – Last Of The Good Guys | Amazon CD
Ozric Tentacles – Sunrise Festival | CD
Landon Pigg – Coffee Shop | Amazon CD
Pluxus – Solid State | Amazon CD
Nicola Ratti – From The Desert Came Saltwater | Amazon CD
Ready Fire Aim – This Changes Nothing | Amazon CD
Calvin Richardson – When Love Comes | Amazon CD
Saint Lips – Like Petals | Amazon CD
Jenny Scheinman – Jenny Scheinman | Amazon CD
Scorch Trio – Brolt | Amazon CD
Since October – This Is My Heart | Amazon CD
Sirhan Sirhan – Blood | Amazon CD
Ryan Shupe & The RubberBand – Last Man Standing | Amazon CD
Tiamat – Amanethes | Amazon CD
Transitional – Nothing Real Nothing Absent | Amazon CD
Underoath – Survive, Kaleidoscope | Amazon CD
Underwater – Forces | Amazon CD
Usher – Here I Stand | Amazon CD
Walter Meego – Voyager | Amazon CD
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Oliver
www.thefourohfive.com
Posted by: Oliver H Primus | 29 May 2008 at 07:58 AM