New Releases, Sept. 5: Beyonce, Audioslave, Iron Maiden
Beyonce “B’Day”
It’s a big week for Beyonce Knowles. Not only is she celebrating her 25th birthday (Sept. 4), but she is also releasing the follow-up to her 2003 debut, “Dangerously in Love.”
To top “Dangerously in Love,” the former leader of Destiny’s Child will have her work cut out for her. That smash set has reportedly sold more than 11 million copies to date worldwide. It also earned her five trophies at the 2004 Grammy Awards, tying the record for Grammy wins by a female artist in a single year.
So far, she’s off to a good start with “B’Day.” The CD’s first single, “Deja Vu”–which features a guest appearance from Beyonce’s boyfriend, rap-mogul Jay-Z–is already a hit on radio.
In other Beyonce news, the vocalist held a nationwide search in June to find musicians to form an all-female band. Later that same month, the collective made its first public appearance backing Knowles at the BET Awards ceremony.
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Audioslave “Revelations”
Rock supergroup Audioslave–featuring former Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell and former Rage Against the Machine power trio Tom Morello (guitar), Tim Commerford (bass) and Brad Wilk (drums)–returns with its third album.
The new CD follows 2005’s “Out of Exile,” which debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 chart. The album’s first single is titled “Original Fire” and the disc also features the track “Wide Awake,” which is reportedly a song about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Having worked with producer Rick Rubin on both its 2002 self-titled debut and “Out of Exile,” the Grammy-nominated quartet has now turned to veteran producer/mixer Brendan O’Brien, whose resume includes albums with Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots and Bruce Springsteen, as well as Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine.
Last October, Audioslave offered up a live DVD/CD set titled “Live in Cuba,” which captured the band’s May 6, 2005 performance at Anti-Imperialist Plaza in Havana. The group is the first American rock band to perform on Cuban soil.
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Iron Maiden “A Matter of Life and Death”
The metal monsters return with their 14th studio record and their first since 2003’s “Dance of Death.” The first video/single from the album is “The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg.”
In a break of band tradition, Iron Maiden will kick off its tour in support of “A Matter of Life and Death” in North America before hitting Europe. The tour, which features UK metal outfit Bullet for My Valentine in the opening slot, begins Oct. 4 in Hartford, CT.
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Jars of Clay “Good Monsters”
Christian alt-rockers Jars of Clay are set to unleash “Good Monsters,” the follow-up to 2005’s “Redemption Songs.” The multi-platinum band, which has won a trio of Grammy Awards, currently is on a North American tour in support of the new album. Jars of Clay are next scheduled to perform on Sept. 10 in Nashville.
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Hem “Funnel Cloud”
The eclectic New York-based group, which combines elements of folk, country and pop, returns with a proper studio follow-up to 2004’s “Eveningland.” Earlier this year, the band released a collection of covers, rarities, outtakes, demos and live recordings titled “No Word from Tom.”
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More new releases:
Alice in Chains, “The Essential Alice in Chains” (Legacy)
Joshua Bell, “Voice of the Violin” (Sony)
Blind Guardian, “Twist in the Myth” (Nuclear Blast)
Dru Down, “Cash Me Out” (City Hall)
Missy Elliott, “Respect M.E. (Best Of)” (Warner)
Kinky Friedman, “The Best Of Kinky Friedman” (Shout! Factory)
Billy Gilman, “Billy Gilman” (Image)
Goatwhore, “A Haunting Curse” (Metal Blade)
Heaven Shall Burn, “Deaf To Our Prayers” (Century Media)
J-Diggs, “Bay Commission” (Thizz)
Kinky, “Reina” (Nettwerk)
Outerspace, “Blood Brothers” (Babygrand)
Ozark Mountain Daredevils, “Sing Their Best” (Country Roads)
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