New Releases 5/2/06

I don't feel like any of this stuff transcends its particular genre, but many of them are worth seeking out if you're a fan of the style...

Jon Auer Songs From the Year of Our Demise (Pattern 25) – Singer/songwriter/guitarist who was in the Posies and currently plays with Big Star. Appears at the Hotel Café on 5/26. Download “Six Feet Under”

The Bellrays Have a Little Faith (Cheap Lullaby) – Local rock band with a powerful female soul singer. Appearing live at Sea Level Records on 5/2 at 7:00 PM and Safari Sam’s on 5/12. Listen to some tracks on their Myspace page.

The Black Keys Chulahoma: The Songs of Junior Kimbrough EP (Fat Possum) – Two-piece blues band from Akron, OH does an EP of blues covers. They’ll be opening some of the Radiohead shows, but not LA (Deerhoof opens in LA). Download “Meet Me in the City”

Charlatans UK Simpatico (Sanctuary) – I’ve never been a huge fan. I did like their single “The Only One I Know” but that was back in 1990.The new record apparently has a disco/reggae vibe to it. Appearing live at the Avalon on 6/6. Preview the album on AOL.

The Court & Spark Hearts (Absolutely Kosher) – Melancholy album from the Americana-inspired San Francisco band. Appearing live at the Echo on 5/18. Listen to some tracks on MYSPACE.

Alejandro Escovedo The Boxing Mirror (produced by John Cale) (Back Porch/Narada/EMI) – I’ve always had a lot of respect for him, but never been a huge fan. Critics say it’s a dark album that encompasses elements from his long career (his punk roots through his pop songs).

Gomez How We Operate (ATO) – I’ve never been a fan. Critics say this is the most pop-rock album of their career. It’s all a little too adult contemporary for me. Appearing live at the Avalon on 5/23. Preview the album on AOL.

Ministry Rio Grande Blood: The True Story of Faith, Family and Flag (Megaforce/13th Planet) – I haven’t listened to these guys since 1992.Take a look at the Bush as Jesus cover with fighter planes and oil wells. Al Jourgenson is pissed off - thrash metal with Bush quotes throughout. Preview the album on AOL.

Mobb Deep Blood Money (Interscope) – Most critics and fans at Amazon say this album is uninspired. They’re now affiliated with 50 Cent and G-Unit. Preview the album on AOL.

Pearl Jam Pearl Jam (J Records) – Critics are saying that this is Pearl Jam’s best record since Vitalogy. I haven’t listened to them since 1993. Appearing live at the Forum on 7/9 & 7/10 with Sonic Youth as support. Preview the album on AOL.

Sunset Rubdown s/t (Absolutely Kosher) – Side project from the more introspective singer in Wolf Parade. That’s pretty indie of them to have a misspelling in their Myspace address (“sunestrubdown” instead of “sunsetrubdown”). You can download tracks from their Myspace page.

Thursday A City By the Light Divided (Island) – Emo kids. Appearing live in the Dodgers Stadium lot on 7/12. Preview the album on AOL.

Tool 10,000 Days (Volcano) – Their first album in five years and only their fourth in sixteen. Many critics complain that there are too many long, moody songs or that it sounds too much like A Perfect Circle record.

Wolfmother Wolfmother (Interscope) – If you love heavy music like Blue Cheer, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath and don’t care much about music with soul, then this is for you. They write songs about unicorns, pyramids and witchcraft that come off as threatening as a businessman driving his SUV to the golf course. Almost all the critics admit that the album is a lot of fun to listen to, but some complain that it’s just too derivative. See them live at Tower Sunset tonight at 7:30 PM or at the Henry Fonda on 6/14. Preview the album on AOL.

Year Future First World Fever (GSL) – This is the first full-length release from these heavy noise-rockers. If you’re into other local bands like 400 Blows and the Mae Shi then check it out. The lead singer founded GSL which is a well-respected label co-owned by Omar from The Mars Volta and At the Drive-In. Appearing live at the Smell on 7/7. Hear some tracks on Myspace.