New CD Releases, July 31: Korn, Common, Kidz Bop Kids
Korn “Untitled”
Having just launched the latest edition of the Family Values Tour, headliners Korn are now set to drop their eighth studio album, which they won’t bother to name.
“We didn’t want to label this album,” Korn frontman Jonathan Davis said in a statement. “It has no boundaries; it has no limits and why not just let our fans call it whatever they wanna call it?”
Fans can do just that when Korn plays “Evolution” (the new album’s first single) and other new tracks on the Family Values Tour. The tour, which was created by Korn and its management firm in 1998, returned to the stage last summer following a five-year hiatus. With a second stage added and more than 400,000 tickets sold, the tour’s 2006 comeback marked its most successful run.
Besides Korn, this year’s trek also features Evanescence, Atreyu, Flyleaf, Trivium and Hell Yeah, the new band comprising Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott and members of Mudvayne and Nothingface. Newcomers Nuerosonic and Droid will round out the bill. The tour kicked off last week in Maryland Heights, MO, and is currently set to conclude on Sept. 2 in Irvine, CA.
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Common “Finding Forever”
The rap star, who is known for staying on the “positive tip” in his hip-hop music, returns with his seventh album. The multi-Grammy-nominated artist’s last album was 2005’s “Be,” a Kanye West-produced set that delivered the hits “The Corner,” “Go” and “Testify.”
West once again lends his production talent to “Finding Forever,” but there are also contributions in that realm from other superstars, notably Will.I.Am and the late J. Dilla. Musical guest stars on “Finding Forever” include vocalist D’Angelo.
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Kidz Bop Kids “Kidz Bop, Vol. 12”
The popular children’s music series turns 12. This time around, those wacky Kidz Bop Kids tackle 18 kid-friendly tunes, including “Makes Me Wonder” and “Girlfriend.”
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Sean Kingston “Sean Kingston”
This 17-year-old Jamaica native definitely has the right pedigree. His family roots include grandpa Jack Ruby (a great Jamaican producer) and uncle Buju Banton (Jamaican music star). Now, it’s time to see just how closely Kingston follows in the family’s footsteps as the singer delivers his self-titled full-length debut.
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Puddle of Mudd “Famous”
After making fans wait, the heavy rockers are finally back with a follow-up to 2003’s “Life on Display.” “Famous” marks the band’s debut on Geffen, having released its two previous albums–“Life on Display” and 2001’s “Come Clean”–on Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst’s label, Flawless Records.
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Other new releases:
David Bowie, “Glass Spider Tour” (Virgin)
Eric Dodge, “Why Not Today” (Racing Snail)
Five Finger Death Punch, “Way of the Fist” (Firm)
Mandisa, “True Beauty” (Sparrow)
Mario, “GO” (J-Records)
Jeff Kashiwa, “Play” (Native Language)
Elvis Presley, “Elvis: Viva Las Vegas” (RCA)
The Raspberries, “Live on Sunset Strip” (Rykodisc)
Josh Rouse, “Country Mouse City House” (Nettwerk)
The Starting Line, “Direction” (Virgin)
Al Stewart, “Live Indian Summer” (Collector’s Choice)
Al Stewart, “24 Carrots” (Collector’s Choice)
Al Stewart, “Love Chronicles” (Collector’s Choice)
Various Artists, “Kneel at the Cross” (Sparrow)
Soundtracks and scores:
“The Bourne Ultimatum” (Decca)
“Gears of War” (Sumthing Else)
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