Eddie Vedder – Ukulele Songs CD (Universal)
A collection of original songs and covers performed by Vedder on ukulele. Featuring a number of songs that Vedder penned and first played live but never released nearly a decade ago, Ukulele Songs also includes a uke version of Pearl Jam’s 2002 track “Can’t Keep” and guest vocalists Glen Hansard and Cat Power on two tracks.

Seapony – Go With Me CD/LP (Hardly Art)
Debut full-length from this refreshingly simplistic Seattle dream-pop trio. Fuzz-drenched guitar playing with simple chord progressions, topped with concise melodic hooks and breathy vocals.

Kate Bush – Director’s Cut CD/LP (Fish People)
On Directors Cut, Kate Bush revisits a selection of tracks from her albums The Sensual World and The Red Shoes, a process that presents a fascinating portrait of an artist in a constant state of evolution. She has re-recorded some elements whilst keeping the best musical performances of each song — making it something of a director’s cut but in sound, not vision.

The Melvins – Sugar Daddy Live CD (Ipecac)
13-track live album was recorded at the Busta-Guts Club in Downey, CA and features songs that span the length of their influential career; from the doom metal favorite “Boris” (from 1991’s Bullhead) to “The Kicking Machine” (from 2008’s Nude With Boots).

My Morning Jacket – Circuital CD/2xLP (ATO)
Circuital was recorded in Louisville, KY and Nashville, TN, and was co-produced by frontman Jim James and Tucker Martine (R.E.M., Sufjan Stevens, The Decemberists). The result is yet another reinvention of their sound that both forges new ground and maintains the distinct spirit of MMJ’s previous work.

Ocote Soul Sounds – Taurus CD (Eighteenth Street Lounge)
Like its bullish namesake, their latest album smashes through sonic barriers with a heavy and dynamic mix of pan-Latin flavor, conscious political attitude, Afrobeat and hip-hop rhythms.

Death Cab For Cutie – Codes And Keys CD/2xLP (Barsuk/Atlantic)
DCFC’s seventh album breaks away, though not completely, from the guitar-driven style they are known for, instead making use of piano and electronically centered songs.

Frank Fairfield – Out On The Open West CD (Tompkins Square)
California based fiddle, guitar, and banjo player makes his living by being a street musician in Los Angeles.

Flogging Molly – Speed Of Darkness CD/LP (Borstal Beat)
New album from the Celtic punk ensemble features more of their signature blend of rock, folk, punk, blues and traditional Irish music.
[Read more…] about New Releases for May 31, 2011