New Releases, Oct. 13: Bob Dylan, The Flaming Lips, Sugarland, David Archuleta, Five for Fighting, and more
Bob Dylan “Christmas in the Heart” (Sony)
O’ come all ye faithful and get an earful of Bob Dylan’s 33rd studio set, the holiday offering “Christmas in the Heart.” The album features the legendary singer/songwriter performing such Christmas staples as “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” and “O’ Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles).”
All royalties from the album will benefit Feeding America, which provides meals to the hungry during the holiday season. “It’s a tragedy that more than 35 million people in this country alone–12 million of those children–often go to bed hungry and wake up each morning unsure of where their next meal is coming from,” Dylan said in a message posted at his website. “I join the good people of Feeding America in the hope that our efforts can bring some food security to people in need during this holiday season.”
“Christmas in the Heart” follows “Together Through Life,” which surfaced in April and debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200, making it Dylan’s fifth record to take the top spot. Dylan, one of the all-time great road warriors, is currently on tour, with dates scheduled into mid-November.
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The Flaming Lips “Embryonic” (Warner)
The influential alt-rock outfit, led by singer/songwriter/guitarist Wayne Coyne, returns to action with its 12th studio set. “Embryonic” follows 2006’s “At War With the Mystics,” which hit No. 11 on The Billboard 200.
The 18-song, 2-disc set was recorded at the home of the band’s drummer/multi-instrumentalist Steven Drozd, and features contributions from MGMT and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Karen O.
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David Archuleta “Christmas From the Heart” (Jive)
The 18-year-old pop vocalist, the runner-up to David Cook during the seventh season of “American Idol” in 2008, rings the jingle bells with his sophomore release, “Christmas From the Heart.” The holiday-music outing features such usual suspects as “First Noel,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Silent Night” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
“Christmas From the Heart” follows the singer’s 2008 self-titled debut, which peaked at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 and produced the smash single “Crush.”
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Sugarland “Green and Gold” (Roc-A-Fella)
The popular country music duo, consisting of singer/songwriters Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, is set to release its first Christmas album, which follows 2008’s chart-topping “Love on the Inside.”
“Green and Gold” features five original songs penned by Bush and Nettles. The rest of the album is filled with holiday-music standards, including “Winter Wonderland,” “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Silent Night.”
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Five for Fighting “Slice” (Sony)
Five for Fighting, the stage name for pianist/singer/songwriter John Ondrasik, is back with a follow-up to 2006’s “Two Lights,” which peaked at No. 8 on The Billboard 200. “Slice,” Ondrasik’s fifth studio set under the Five for Fighting moniker, features the single “Chances.”
Ondrasik will support “Slice” during an acoustic run through North American clubs. The 14-city trek begins Oct. 18 in Toronto and stretches through a Nov. 11 date in Los Angeles.
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More new releases:
Bowling for Soup, “Sorry For Partyin'” (Jive)
Jack Bruce, “Seven Moons Live” (Ruf)
Dead by Sunrise, “Out of Ashes” (Warner)
Neil Diamond, “A Cherry Cherry Christmas” (Columbia)
Linda Eder, “Soundtrack” (Verve)
Hall & Oates, “Do What You Want, Be What You Are: The Music of Daryl Hall & John Oates” (Sony)
Vijay Iyer Trio, “Historicity” (ACT Music)
Leaves Eyes, “Njord” (Napalm)
Los Lonely Boys, “1969” (EP), (R.E.D.)
Mario, “D.N.A.” (J-Records)
Nellie McKay, “Normal as Blueberry Pie: A Tribute to Doris Day” (Verve)
James McMurtry, “Live in Europe” (Lightning Rod)
Brian Setzer Orchestra, “Songs from Lonely Avenue” (Surfdog)
W.A.S.P., “Babylon” (Demolition)
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