New CD Releases, Oct. 2: Bruce Springsteen, Annie Lennox, John Fogerty
Bruce Springsteen “Magic”
The Boss returns to give his loyal fans some “Magic.” The album follows last year’s well-received studio effort “We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions,” a salute to folk great Pete Seeger, and the concert set “Live in Dublin,” which documents Springsteen’s recent tour.
“Magic” is Springsteen’s first disc with his fabled E Street Band since 2002’s “The Rising,” a work that tackled many 9/11-related subjects. The new album was produced and mixed by acclaimed industry vet Brendan O’Brien, who also oversaw “The Rising” and 2005’s “Devils and Dust.”
Having played a few hometown warm-up shows in Asbury Park, NJ, the Boss will kick off his much-anticipated Northern American road show with the E Street Band Oct. 2 in Hartford, CT. From there, he’ll hit cities across the country before winding things up with a Nov. 18-19 double-shot in Boston.
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Annie Lennox “Songs of Mass Destruction”
The government may have had trouble locating any “weapons of mass destruction” in the Middle East, but fans should have no trouble finding Annie Lennox’s “Songs of Mass Destruction” in stores.
The singer, who came to fame as one half of the ’80s duo the Eurythmics, recorded the 11-song set with super-producer Glen Ballard. “Songs of Mass Destruction” is Lennox’s fifth overall solo CD and her first since 2003’s “Bare.”
Lennox will spread her “Songs of Mass Destruction” with a North American tour that kicks off Oct. 8 in San Diego.
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John Fogerty “Revival”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, who released at least a dozen classic-rock staples during his time fronting Credence Clearwater Revival, returns to the fray with “Revival.”
He’s also, in a way, returning home. The self-produced “Revival” is being released on Fantasy Records, which was the label that put out the classic CCR albums. It’s Fogerty’s first album of new material for Fantasy Records in 35 years.
What took so long? Well, the veteran rocker fought with the label for more than 30 years over the rights to his own songs. The company was sold to Concord Records in recent years, paving the way for a reconciliation with Fogerty in 2005, which was followed later that year by the release of his first complete career retrospective, “The Long Road Home.”
Fogerty will support “Revival” with a five-week US trek, which launches Nov. 2 at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom.
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Matchbox Twenty “Exile on Mainstream”
Fans of the platinum pop-rock combo will finally get some new material. “Exile on Mainstream,” while mostly a greatest-hits package, includes six brand new songs that were produced by mastermind Steve Lillywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band).
These half-dozen recordings are the first batch of new studio material from the band since 2002’s “More Than You Think You Are.” In recent years, frontman Rob Thomas has been concentrating on his solo career, which has included a successful debut album and a tour behind the set.
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Faith Hill “The Hits”
Having released six solo albums, the country music diva has deemed it time to give fans “The Hits.” This best-of collection from Tim McGraw’s better half features such smashes as “This Kiss,” “Mississippi Girl” and “Breathe.”
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More new releases:
Brooks & Dunn, “Cowboy Town” (Arista)
Cake, “B-Sides and Rarities” (Upbeat)
Dashboard Confessional, “The Shade of Poison Trees” (Vagrant)
Dylan, “Bob Dylan” (Sony)
PJ Harvey, “White Chalk” (Island)
J Holiday, “Back of My Lac” (Capitol)
Mick Jagger, “Very Best of Mick Jagger” (Rhino)
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, “100 Days, 100 Nights” (Daptone)
Stacey Kent, “Breakfast on the Morning Tram” (Blue Note)
Nightwish, “Dark Passion Play” (Roadrunner)
Siouxsie, “Mantaray” (Decca)
Trey Songz, “Trey Day” (Atlantic)
Frankie Valli, “Romancing the 60’s” (Motown)
Soundtracks and scores:
“Grease–The New Broadway Cast Recording (2007 Broadway Revival Cast)” (Sony Classics)
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