New CD Releases, March 6th: Arcade Fire, The Stooges, Ry Cooder
Arcade Fire “Neon Bible”
Montreal’s acclaimed indie-rock ensemble, led by vocalist Win Butler, returns with another batch of New Wave-inspired tunes. “Neon Bible,” the band’s second full-length album, follows 2004’s popular “Funeral.”
The group will support “Neon Bible” with a spring North American tour that kicks off April 26 in San Diego. The trek will include stops at the Coachella Valley Music Festival in Indio, CA (April 28) and the Sasquatch! Festival in George, WA. (May 26).
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The Stooges “The Weirdness”
The legendary rock band, featuring punk-rock godfather Iggy Pop on vocals, will release its first studio album in more than 35 years. The group’s previous set was 1973’s David Bowie-produced “Raw Power.”
Besides Pop, the band also features two other original members–Ron Asheton on guitar and his brother, Scott Asheton, on drums–as well as former Minutemen/fIREHOSE bassist Mike Watt. The group will share “The Weirdness” with fans during a spring North American tour that includes a March 17 date at the South By Southwest music festival in Austin, TX.
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Ry Cooder “My Name is Buddy”
In a move that harkens back to such early albums as 1971’s “In the Purple Valley,” the six-time Grammy winner digs into his roots and revisits Dust-Bowl music with this new set of original compositions.
On this album/musical travelogue, Cooder is joined by such collaborators as Van Dyke Parks, Paddy Moloney and Jim Keltner.
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Mary-Chapin Carpenter “The Calling”
The New Jersey-born folk/country artist is back with the follow-up to 2004’s “Between Here and Gone.” Like her previous album, “The Calling” is said to be another topical record that addresses social concerns such as the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
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Air “Pocket Symphony”
The Parisian pop stars return with another collection of atmospheric, ambient, electronic numbers. Known for such albums as 1998’s “Moon Safari” and 2004’s “Talkie Walkie,” Air will support its latest with a spring tour that includes an April 29 appearance at the Coachella Valley Music Festival.
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Bryan Ferry “Dylanesque”
The former Roxy Music frontman, having covered several Dylan tracks on previous outings, returns with a full-fledged tribute to the great songwriter. “Dylanesque” includes such selections as “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues,” “Simple Twist of Fate,” “Make You Feel My Love” and “Positively 4th Street.”
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Other new releases:
Alabama Thunderpussy, “Open Fire” (Relapse)
Gary Allan, “Greatest Hits” (MCA)
Antibalas, “Security” (Anti/Epitaph)
Patti Austin, “Avant Gershwin” (Rendezvous)
Johnny Cash, “Cash: Ultimate Gospel” (Sony)
Chimaira, “Resurrection” (Ferret Music)
Joey DeFrancesco, “Live: The Authorized Bootleg” (Concord)
Finger Eleven, “Them vs. You vs. Me” (Wind-up)
Half Past Forever, “Take a Chance on Something Beautiful” (Beat Down)
Albert Hammond Jr., “Yours to Keep” (New Line)
Korn, “MTV Unplugged” (Virgin)
Wynton Marsalis, “From the Plantation to the Penitentiary” (Blue Note)
Willy Mason, “If the Ocean Gets Rough” (Astralwerks)
Neal Morse, “Sola Scriptura” (Metal Blade)
The Notorious B.I.G., “Greatest Hits” (Bad Boy)
Rjd2, “Third Hand” (Third Hand)
Relient K, “Five Score and Seven Years Ago” (Capitol)
Sevendust, “Alpha” (Asylum)
Shaw Blades, “Influence” (VH1 Classics)
Son Volt, “Search” (Red Int.)
Amon Tobin, “Foley Room” (Ninja Tune)
!!!, “Myth Takes” (Warp)
Various Artists, “Wow Hymns” (Word)
Soundtracks and scores:
“300: The Battle of Thermopylae” (Warner Bros.)
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