Top Five Most Interesting Releases This Week

Top Five Most Interesting Releases This Week

The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds 40th Anniversary CD+DVD (Capitol) – This ranked as my second best album of all time back on Halloween 2005. Pretty much every song is amazing (including “God Only Knows” which is one of the best songs ever). I probably don’t need this reissue since I already have the Pet Sounds box set. But the CD package does come with a DVD that has the making of Pet Sounds documentary. There’s also a cool two record vinyl version with the mono version on yellow vinyl and the remastered stereo version on green vinyl. Unfortunately I don’t think the vinyl version includes the DVD. Brian Wilson will be performing this album in its entirety at Royce Hall on November 1, 2006. I’ve seen him do Smile twice, and he’s well worth seeing. Unfortunately it’s already sold out.

Bob Dylan: Modern Times (Sony) – The reviews are very strongs, so of course Dylan’s on the list of most interesting releases. Some of the people that read this site are a lot bigger Dylan fans than I, as he’s one of those artists that I tend to respect more than I actually crave listening to. I’d say that Blood on the Tracks and Blonde on Blonde are my favorite Dylan albums. See him live at the Forum on 10/20/06.

Daniel Johnston: Yip/Jump Music (High Wire Music) – A ton of artists and music fans are attracted to his simple, yet direct songwriting. This has DJ’s most famous track, “Speeding Motorcycle” along with some other great tracks like: “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Your Grievances” and “King Kong.” Also reissued today was a twofer with Continued Story/Hi How Are You. If you’re new to Johnston you might consider picking up the compilation/covers album, The Late Great Daniel Johnston which has one CD with a lot of his best songs from these albums along with a companion CD with your favorite artists performing those same songs.

M. Ward: Post-War (Merge) – He’s an extremely talented guitarist with very good songs. Most of his music is a little weary, so you’ve got to be in the right mood when you hear it. See him at the Henry Fonda on 9/28/06.

The Tyde: Three’s Co. (Rough Trade America) – I like this surfing obsessed local band’s first two albums, so I’ll definitely check this one out. They’ve got a great sense of rock history and love all the Creation bands, Felt and current Brit pop. She’s toured with Gwen Stefani and he could probably win a Scott Walker look-alike contest. You can see them live at Spaceland on 9/13/06.

Also released:
Birdmonster: No Midnight (Yep Roc) – Are they just another overrated blog band (as Pitchfork claims) or a legitimate contender? I saw them live and I can see both perspectives.

The Roots: Game Theory (Def Jam) – Original backpack rappers. Appearing at some Myspace thing in LA on 9/6/06.

Stereolab: Serene Velocity/ A Stereolab Anthology – If you don’t own any of their albums this is a good starting point.

The Village Green: Feeling the Fall (Spin Art) – Like the Deathray Davies and Everybody Else, their name is a tribute to the Kinks. I suppose that gets them some points. Appearing live at Spaceland on 10/19. Download “When the Creepers Creep In”