The Lonely Goatherd Blog And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats - Matthew 25:32
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Al Barger and MoreThings - getting people's goats since 1998.
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December 18, 2007
New Album Releases, 12-18-2007: Bram Tchaikovsky, Mary J Blige, Rivers Cuomo Surprisingly, there are several fairly big name releases this mere week before Christmas, far too late to get much good from seasonal shopping. Mary J Blige has her eight album out this week, Growing Pains. Also, Rivers Cuomo from Weezer has Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo, which date from 1992 (two years before Weezer's debut) to this year. Also, Chingy is back with Hate It or Love It.
But the best new release by far is a 1979 power pop album. Bram Tchaikovsky was some kind of low level supergroup, in theory, with members of an old outfit called the Motors. Don Kirschner's Rock Concerts played the heck out of a couple of cuts from their first album, Strange Man, Changed Man. "Girl of My Dreams" was a minor American hit, and then they were never heard from again. In truth, that was not a big loss. I've had at least a couple of their follow-up albums, without a memorable tune amongst them.
But that first album was really good. They had a great English power pop sound, with cool double-lead vocals, strong hooks, and a tight attack. This was contemporary to Cheap Trick at Budokan and Dream Police, for the closest stylistic comparison. It's probably not quite up with the very best Cheap Trick, but it was excellent. I know it kicked my teenaged ass. Besides the hit, "Lady From the USA" was just as good, and they did a particularly good version of "I'm a Believer." There was a certain romanticism to stuff like "Sara Smiles" that the Trick couldn't touch.
Best I can tell, this is the first time ever that Strange Man, Changed Man has been released in America on a CD. I highly recommend it.
Here's the complete list of this week's major new album releases, courtesy AMG:
Mary J. Blige Growing Pains Geffen Contemporary R&B, Urban, Adult Contemporary
Rivers Cuomo Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo Geffen Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Lupe Fiasco The Cool Atlantic Midwest Rap, Alternative Rap, Hip-Hop
Jaheim The Makings of a Man Atlantic Contemporary R&B, Neo-Soul, Urban
Jie Chen Chinese Piano Favorites Naxos Chinese Piano Music
Chingy Hate It or Love It DTP Recordings Southern Rap, Hardcore Rap
Johnny Depp Sweeney Todd [The Motion Picture Soundtrack] [Highlights] Nonesuch Music for Film
Kirk Franklin The Fight of My Life Gospocentric Black Gospel, Contemporary Gospel, Urban
Orbital Live at Glastonbury A.C.P. Techno, IDM, Electronica, Ambient Techno
Scott Slapin Reflection: Violacentric Music of Scott Slapin Eroica Contemporary Chamber Music
Original Score Charlie Wilson's War Varese Sarabande Original Score, Soundtracks
Original Sountrack Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street [2007 Soundtrack] Nonesuch Soundtracks, Musicals
Chris Rock Cheese and Crackers: The Greatest Bits Geffen Standup Comedy, Sketch Comedy
Bram Tchaikovsky Strange Man, Changed Man Hip-O Select/Polydor Power Pop, New Wave, Rock & Roll
Various Artists 10 Years of Bling, Vol. 1 Cash Money Hardcore Rap
Various Artists Def Jam Sessions, Vol. 1 Def Jam East Coast Rap, Urban, Hardcore Rap
Various Artists The Sibelius Edition, Vol. 3: Voice & Orchestra Bis Modern Music for Voice & Orchestra
Hank Williams III Damn Right, Rebel Proud Sidewalk Americana, New Traditionalist, Outlaw Country
But the best new release by far is a 1979 power pop album. Bram Tchaikovsky was some kind of low level supergroup, in theory, with members of an old outfit called the Motors. Don Kirschner's Rock Concerts played the heck out of a couple of cuts from their first album, 