The Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music

Happy Friday all! Well let's take a look-see at the happenings of the week... Dr. John released Ske-Dat-De-Dat: Spirit of Satch containing, you guessed it, Louis Armstrong tributes. Wiz Khalifa came out with Blacc Hollywood and Imogen Heap is back again with Sparks  The buzzing bees are all about Kimbra, Golden Echo; and Benjamin Booker, Benjamin Booker. The former is a dancey pop album heavily early-90s influenced with some catchy grooves. The latter is a bluesy rock reminiscent of earlier years, but who can get enough of that vintage rock? Not this girl. Maybe you, and then you should give it a whirl because you never know, but you probably won't be as into it and ask "Why does everyone like this anyway?" and then frustratedly walk out of the room, despairing you have lost your connection to the world. But don't worry, it's just this music and it's not you. Go put on something you like and dance happy-like.

Look! In the sky, it's a bunch of words strung after each other, it's THE LIST!

Get your americana/country on!

Various Artists, Look Again To The Wind: Johnny Cash's Bitter Tears: A tribute album with a host of names on it recorded in a live style in a relative-short amount of time.

Catherine MacLellan, The Raven's Sun - winner of my favorite album cover for the week, this album straddles the line between singer-songwriter and americana.

Rob McCoury, 5 String Flamethrower - I am a sucker for banjos.

Haven't I seen you on tv?...

Colton Dixon, Anchor - this pop heavy album is from American Idol alum

Chase Rice, Ignite the Night- 2nd place winner of Survivor: Nicaragua, you should at least read this dude's bio. It's pretty interesting.

If you want...

...to just try something new? Zigtebra, The Brave

...your life to suddenly sound like an action/suspense movie? William Ryan Fritch, Heavy EP

...something lo-fi? Twerps, Underlay

...fusion/prog rock? Trioscapes, Digital Dream Sequence

...California Rock?Beach Day, Native Echoes

...some fiddle music? Smoke Dawson, Fiddle

...a little jazz? Michael Carvin, Flash Forward

...a speed metal cover of "Ring of Fire?" Dragonforce, Maximum Overload

...a little Abba inspired music? Music Go Music, Impressions

To-Listen, aka I need another/full listen before jumping on the bandwagon

Smokey Robinson, Smokey & Friends

Electric Wurms, Musik, Die Schwer zu Twerk

Dan Svizeny, Every Weekend

Sleeping Bag, Deep Sleep

Say Yes, Say Yes

*Ruthie Foster, Promise of a Brand New Day

*Literature, Chorus

Kyle Hollingsworth, Speed of Life

*Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas, Secret Evil

*leaning towards the like pile on these.

Well that wraps it up for the week. The summer is winding to a close and for me that only means State Fair time and my birthday! For those who are catching one last vacation before it's too late, safe travels; and for those who are just going to ride this week out in style taking in the transition as it happens, have fun. Remember to stay hydrated and reapply sunscreen. No one wants to return to school with stories of overheating and representing a funny sunburn. Happy Listening!

Friday Refrain is a weekly post regarding what new releases have caught my ear for the week. I try to compile a pretty comprehensive list of releases of the week and see what is available for me to listen to on the web. This is just my non-scientific, highly-subjective, randomly-listened-to list of stuff from the week. Oh, and I don’t always listen to lyrics or look at album art/music videos, so appropriateness is left up to the listener

The Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music

It seems that mid-August is a bit of the doldrums when it comes to new releases because this was one of my easiest listening weeks in months. Note that future musicians of the world - yes, people are all on vacation and stuff but not much competition to rise above in mid-August.

For the heavy-hitters we've got Sinead O'Connor with I'm Not Bossy, I'm The Boss; the reggae/dub band SOJA released Amid the Noise and Haste; Gaslight Anthem put out Get Hurt; and Brian Setzer rounds up the week with Rockabilly Riot! All Original.

What's that there? It's so small, could it be? It is. It's The List.

In theme with this week, let's keep it short.

Do You Need...

Electronica? Porter Robinson, Worlds - This is a great album to throw on. I liked it, my husband said it brought him back to college days, Clyde approved. (as in, my cat hasn't glared at me to turn it off or left the room while it's playing)

some banjo? Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Cold Spell

a little world music? Antibalas, Tattletale

chill-out music? Dragon Turtle, Distances - the first track is titled "Narwhal."

a singer-songwriter fix? Try Chris Staples, American Soft or Mirel Wagner, When The Cellar Children See The Light - I think the album titles do all they need to let you know what sort of mood you're getting into.

To Listen (what I need to dig into but on first listen liked something about it)

Body Futures, Brand New Silhouettes - it's rock. Sometimes you just need some rock.

Bunji Garlin, Differentology - need to capture a few songs out of this for my upcoming birthday party

Rivergazer, Random Nostalgia - if you need your retro-rock fix

Also, I have Thurston Moore on the list because it was there on Tuesday but now it's not and everyone says later this year. Hum.... It's a mystery. What's not a mystery is why my keyboard is kinda goopy. I've been eating a cheesecake topped with strawberry topping as I write this. Which is why I am glad my husband and I don't share computing devices anymore. Happy listening!

 Friday Refrain is a weekly post regarding what new releases have caught my ear for the week. I try to compile a pretty comprehensive list of releases of the week and see what is available for me to listen to on the web. This is just my non-scientific, highly-subjective, randomly-listened-to list of stuff from the week. Oh, and I don’t always listen to lyrics or look at album art/music videos, so appropriateness is left up to the listener

The Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music

And I'm back! Well, I am the worst at staying connected on vacation and all plans for pre-planning fell through, but this week here I am with new music for you to fill your music coffers with.

I didn't have as much time to dig into the music this week, but here is The List.

As for popular releases this week, there aren't as many of the headliners as usual. Spoon released They Want My Soul, Godsmack is out with 1000hp, and Al Jarreau released My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke. Let's see what else we've got...

Rebranded (or a releases from artists formerly of a different band/name)

EDJ, EDJ - The guy behind Fruit Bats is the name behind EDJ. He maintains his singer-songwriter sound with lyrics that tell a story.

Flux Forteana, September - From the bassist of Coheed & Cambria comes this solo project

Operators, EP1- Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs, Divine Fits) teams up with Divine Fits drummer, Sam Brown for this new band.

Owl John, Owl John - Scott Hutchinson of Frightened Rabbit released this new solo project. The album is pretty solid and falls soundly in the category of Playground of Rock.

The 69 Cats, Transylvanian Tapes

The Empty Hearts, The Empty Hearts

Tuatara, Underworld - more of a supergroup than a rebrand, but still. Mike McCready of Pearl Jam joins up for this album.

Wovenwar, Wovenwar - As I Lay Dying bandmembers sans frontman paired up with a new singer to do that modern metal thing.

The To-Listen List:

Billy Joe Shaver, Long in the Tooth  - classic country sound

Alestorm, Sunset on the Golden Age - Pirate metal, do you really need any more convincing? Well, then listen to the first track, "Walk the Plank." Or just save this one for September 19th, Talk Like A Pirate Day

Goodnight, Texas; Uncle John Farquhar

Angus & Julia Stone, Angus & Julia Stone - It's got that boy and girl duet fun to it that is playful and intriguing at the same time.

Twin Peaks, Wild Onion - It's got that vintage record store sound to it.

The Rosebuds, Sand + Silence

Wildcat! Wildcat!, No Moon At All

Albums with throwback covers

Roses, Dreamlover

Family Force 5, Time Stands Still

Mozart's Sister, Being

Blues Pills, Blues Pills

Well there we have it, happy listening!

 Friday Refrain is a weekly post regarding what new releases have caught my ear for the week. I try to compile a pretty comprehensive list of releases of the week and see what is available for me to listen to on the web. This is just my non-scientific, highly-subjective, randomly-listened-to list of stuff from the week. Oh, and I don’t always listen to lyrics or look at album art/music videos, so appropriateness is left up to the listener

The Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music

Happy weekend all! Lots of releases this week, but not many that you might know. Jesse Mccartney and 5 Seconds of Summer released albums this week, just in time to slip into the summer pop rotation. Yes released Heaven & Earth, Richard Thompson released Acoustic Classics, and that's about it for the recap.

Ugh, what a letdown recap with barely an ramp-up for The List. Ah well, sometimes it's just how the cookie crumbs roll.

Well this week, let's just roll through the vague genres and cast out a few suggestions, shall we?

Playground of Rock

The buzzy ones are probably Got A Girl, I Love You but I Must Drive Off This Cliff Now; PS I Love You, For Those Who Stay; Alvvays, Alvvays; The Raveonettes, Pe'ahi; and Nico Vega, Lead to Light. Also consider:

Monomyth, Saturnalia Regalia! - My husband and I batted around a few comparisons last night. His was that it reminded him of DTCV (which came out late last year, if you're not listening to that regularly, go listen now.) and I decided it was what might've happened if They Might Be Giants decided to be a trippy Beach Boys influneced band.

Sugar Stems, Only Come Out At Night - also my favorite album cover of the week.

WORKING, More Weight - Fuzzy guitared female singer rock

Bleached, For The Feel - another female singer rock band

Electronica

Nunca Duerma, Shapeshifter - an actual album you can put on and party to. Not just for the DJs.

Metal

This is such a hard category for me. I'm so picky, and I probably don't have a taste that's particularly shareable. But I am going back to listen to more of Rage Nucleáire, Black Storm of Violence.

Country/Americana

Sammy Kershaw, Do You Know Me: A Tribute to George Jones

Hook & Anchor, Hook & Anchor

World

Quraishi, Mountain Melodies: Rubab Music Of Afghanistan - I know just one recommendation for a category is weak, but this has started playing in my mix and continued for several songs without me interrupting it several times now.

Soul

Bobby Patterson, I Got More Soul! - so good.

Allright, short, sweet and simple. Next week The Refrain might be on a bit of a hiatus, but there will be something. I just haven't decided what. That should keep you on the edge of your seat, but until then - happy listening!

Friday Refrain is a weekly post regarding what new releases have caught my ear for the week. I try to compile a pretty comprehensive list of releases of the week and see what is available for me to listen to on the web. This is just my non-scientific, highly-subjective, randomly-listened-to list of stuff from the week. Oh, and I don’t always listen to lyrics or look at album art/music videos, so appropriateness is left up to the listener

The Friday Refrain: a bit of what's new in music

The world is delicious this morning. And the music is interesting. I'm realizing as I eat my brownie (thank you to my niece and her mom), that the diversity of my compiled list this week is lacking - but it's not yet 11 and I'm sitting down to write, my belly full of yummy goodness (even though the brownie had cherries), so I'll just go with it.

"Weird Al" Yankovic is out with Mandatory Fun this week and while I haven't gotten the chance to listen to it, I'm sure if you are a fan you have already listened to it at least once already. Because if there is anything I learned seeing Weird Al live in concert during a late night Bonnaroo set, it's that those who love Weird Al, love him very much. It was like watching a huge screening of a cult classic movie, people saying their favorite lines, laughing at their favorite jokes, and delighting in the new medleys.

After weeks of releasing one single after another from the his new album, Morrissey's World Peace is None of Your Business has finally been released. And if you're from Minnesota, you're probably well aware that favorites Trampled By Turtles have released Wild Animals this week. It's pretty awesome from the few tracks I sampled, and I'll be delving in for a further listen this weekend. As far as popularly known acts, that's about the news this week. Oh, wait, Jasan Mraz with Yes! and Kidz Bop 26 are also new this week. There, now I think that was all the big ones.

And now it's time for The List

And if you're hankering for something new to listen to but don't know what, here are a few ideas.

Girls playing music

Anna Calvi, Strange Weather EP - Nothing directly grabbed me while listening to this, but I also didn't turn it off. I kind of feel like she is a siren luring me back in, not letting me go. I can't believe it, but while trying to figure this out, my best stab at it was "She has that je ne sais quoi quality to her." It's haunting singer-songwriter and short, so give it a whirl why don'tcha?

Luluc, Passerby - this is the acoustic guitar playing singer-songwriter woman that gets me everytime. It's my personal weak spot. Oh, and since I've been mentioning this lately, good album cover.

Pop women releases: Marsha Ambrosius, Friends & Lovers, and Micha Ciselle, Lover's Leap

Moriah Peters, Brave - Christian pop music that sounds current.

Honeyblood, Honeyblood - You might hear more about this one. A bit more rock into it that has to have a Neko Case influence.

Upbeat Music

Little Daylight, Hello Memory - combining so many different elements Playground of Rock favorites. It has poppy hooks; the music has that jumpy Matt & Kim feel at times; that sunny modern 80s pop sound?

Melted Toys, Melted Toys - Beachy guitar sounds with a vague barely-there Smiths feel to it.

Bleachers, Strange Desire - Feels like one of those bands that could cross genres from pop to alternative stations and appeal to lots of people.

Wunder Wunder, Everything Infinite - Bright and sunny with lots of layers

Rock

Pennywise, Yesterdays - more punky and fast

TRAAMS, Cissa - Very The Strokes-like

Betraying the Martyrs, Phantom - they had me at the metal cover of "Let It Go." Which of course that song is metal, it's so obvious now.

Grave Digger, Return of the Reaper - another metal pick for the week.

You'll just know if you like it by the first or second song...

My Brightest Diamond, None More Than You

Jungle, Jungle

Landlady, Upright Behavior

Cloud Boat, Model Of You

Roman Ruins, Source of Pride

Slow Club, Complete Surrender

Vintage Sound

Viet Cong, Cassette

Reigning Sound, Shattered

Other Stuff I Was Digging

Perfume Genius, "Queen"

ODESZA, Memories That You Call/Sun Models

Merchandise, "Enemy"

Anand Wilder & Maxwell Kardon, Break Line The Musical

EULA, Orderly/Meadow

Dead Fingers, Big Black Dog

Jack Clement, For Once And For All

John Hiatt, Terms of My Surrender

Veen, "Babylon"

Well it's the weekend of the Pitchfork Music Festival, and holy cow, I just looked over the lineup - that's pretty much awesomesauce. Beck, Kendrick Lamar, Sharon Van Etten, St. Vincent, Speedy Ortiz, nice... Anyway, that about wraps it up for me. Now I just need to save at least one brownie for my husband. I think I can. I am the little engine that could. Hope you have a good weekend and happy listening!