Wilco – Wilco (The Album) CD/2xLP+CD (Nonesuch)
Wilco’s seventh album combines the intimacy of its previous studio disc, Sky Blue Sky, with the experimentation of A Ghost Is Born in a set that boasts strong melodies and gorgeous, often unabashedly pop arrangements.
Bjork – Voltaic CD/CD+DVD/2xCD+2xDVD Nonesuch)
Voltaic is a remarkable, multi-media document of what happened after Volta was completed — a journey of a different sort as the ever-evolving singer assembled her live band, made a collection of typically amazing videos and one-step-ahead remixes, and toured the world. She recorded the Voltaic live CD in one take at Olympic Studio in London. It’s a stunning performance, featuring cutting-edge computer technology, an old-school horn section and a female, flag-toting Icelandic choir. Deluxe version includes the Voltiac live CD plus a DVD featuring 21 songs performed on the Volta tour. Super deluxe 2xCD+2xDVD version features live recordings, remixes, videos and much more.
Levon Helm – Electric Dirt CD/LP (Vanguard)
Electric Dirt again finds Levon steeped in tradition in his connection to the land and those who live by it, but this record goes deeper and wider, incorporating gospel, blues and soul elements in a bracing collection of originals and carefully chosen outside songs.
Moby – Wait For Me CD/LP+MP3 (Mute)
Wait For Me is a radical departure from Moby’s recent albums. Liberated from the pressures of trying to please himself at the same time as the industry, Moby decided to forego the expensive studios, state-of-the-art equipment, big name guest artists, and phalanxes of graphic designers and image consultants that have characterized some of his previous albums. “There’s something so relaxing about doing everything yourself, and not trying to second-guess the market,” Moby says. “It’s nice to try to do things for the right reasons — just make a record because you want to make a record.”
Willie Isz – Georgiavania CD/LP (Lex)
Acclaimed producer, lyricist and singer Jneiro Jarel teams up with Goodie Mob’s Khujo Goodie.
Ace Hood – Ruthless CD (We The Best)
New release from the Florida rapper features guest appearances from Jasmine Sullivan, The Dream, Ludacris, Rick Ross, Birdman and more.
Carcass – Wake Up And Smell The Carcass CD+DVD (Earache)
17 rarities from different eras of the band’s career, including five extras from the Swansong period, Radio One Session tracks and rare EP cuts. The accompanying DVD contains two complete live sets taking in 17 classics from the period 1989-1992. The DVD also comes with the band’s five promo videos.
Matt Duke – Acoustic Kingdom Underground CDEP (Rykodisc)
Singer/songwriter Matt Duke released the full-length Kingdom Underground in September 2008. It contained a thoroughly engaging collection of intelligent, literate folk-based pop songs that exude a unique playfulness while tackling some often-weighty topics. Acoustic Kingdom Underground is the companion piece to Kingdom Underground, and showcases more intimate performances of the album’s standout tracks.
Jefferson Airplane – Jefferson Airplane: The Woodstock Experience 2xCD (Sony Legacy)
Lavishly packaged double disc set combines Jefferson Airplane’s 1969 album Volunteers with their entire Woodstock performance.
Jeremih – Jeremih CD (Def Jam)
Growing up on Chicago’s infamous Southside is the 21 year-old behind the nationwide hit “Birthday Sex.” He is a singer, songwriter, producer, and musician able to play multiple instruments including the saxophone, percussion, keys and quads.
Janis Joplin – Janis Joplin: The Woodstock Experience 2xCD (Sony Legacy)
Lavishly packaged double disc set combines Joplin’s 1969 album I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama with her complete Woodstock performance.
Killswitch Engage – Killswitch Engage CD/CD+DVD (Roadrunner)
Brand new album. Special edition CD+DVD contains four bonus tracks and a 30-minute “behind the scenes” documentary and deluxe packaging.
Obituary – Darkest Day CD (Candlelight)
New album from the veteran death metal band.
Santana – Santana: The Woodstock Experience 2xCD (Sony Legacy)
Lavishly packaged double disc set combines Santana’s self-titled 1969 album with his complete Woodstock performance.
Sly & The Family Stone – Stand! 2xCD (Sony Legacy)
Lavishly packaged double disc set combines Sly & The Family Stone’s 1969 album Stand! with their complete Woodstock performance.
Suicide Silence – No Time To Bleed CD/CD+DVD/LP (Century Media)
Sophomore album from the American deathcore metal band. Limited CD+DVD “Maximum Bloodshed” box set edition includes a bonus track (“Misleading Milligrams”), a bonus DVD featuring behind the scenes footage, a poster and collector cards.
Tanya Tucker – My Turn CD (Time/Life)
On her new album, Tanya Tucker takes classic country songs originally recorded by male country
legends and turns the tables, giving classics by George Jones, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty and Eddy Arnold a powerful spin from a woman’s point of view. Guest artists include The Grascals, Jim Lauderdale and bluegrass stars Rhonda and Darrin Vincent, with producer Anderson playing guitar on every track.
Twisted Sister – Stay Hungry 2xCD (Atlantic)
Rhino’s 25th Anniversary Edition combines the newly remastered, nine-track album with an additional disc featuring 15 previously unreleased outtakes and demos from the original sessions plus a new track.
Various Artists – Reggae Gold 2009 CD+DVD (VP)
An assortment of top artists and hits including Estelle featuring Sean Paul on the international smash “Come Over,” as well as tracks by Beres Hammond, Tarrus Riley, Queen Ifrica, T.O.K. and Serani’s massive radio hit, “No Games.”
Johnny Winter – The Woodstock Experience 2xCD (Sony Legacy)
Lavishly packaged double disc set combines Winter’s self-titled 1969 album with his complete Woodstock performance.
Johnny Winter – Live Bootleg Series Vol. 5 CD (Friday Music)
For the fifth volume in the acclaimed Live Bootleg Series, Johnny digs back into his archives for some very super rare performances “Lights Out,” “Rock And Roll Hoochie Coo,” “You Keep Sayin’ That You’re Leavin’” and others.
Wu-Tang – Chamber Music CD (Koch)
Chamber Music’s throwback sound features a combination of live instrumentation and new RZA beats shaped in a classic old-school soul type of vibe, reminiscent of the group’s classic 36 Chambers sound but with a completely updated, modern twist. Includes newly recorded verses from every key member of the group, plus affiliates Cappadonna, Killah Priest, Street Life and more.
DVDs
RiP! A Remix Manifesto – DVD (Disinformation)
In RiP! A Remix Manifesto, Web activist and filmmaker Brett Gaylor explores issues of copyright in the information age, mashing up the media landscape of the 20th century and shattering the wall between users and producers. The film’s central protagonist is mash-up phenom Girl Talk. But is Girl Talk a paragon of people power or the Pied Piper of piracy? Creative Commons founder Lawrence Lessig, Brazil’s Minister Of Culture Gilberto Gil, and pop culture critic Cory Doctorow are also along for the ride.
Vinyl
Dead Weather – Hang You From The Heavens 7” (Third Man)
B-side is a cover of Gary Numan’s “Are Friends Electric?”
Pete Yorn – Back & Fourth LP (Columbia)
Now available on vinyl.
