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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All original content on MoreThings.com copyright 2008 Albert Barger or the respective authors
November 18, 2008
New CD Album Releases, 11-18-2008: Dido, Beyonce, David Cook Dido's probably the best pick this week. I've listened to Safe Trip Home a couple of times. So far, it sounds pretty good all the way through - but I can't remember a bit of any of these songs after a couple listens. Yet I can tell how carefully and intricately the tunes are constructed. They just don't strike me as being very catchy.
But she has a compelling voice and arrangements. She's clearly spent a lot of time and emotional energy on these very human grooves. This is only her third album, ten years in. I've seen her described as "trip hop," but that doesn't really seem right. For one thing, her electronics just ain't that heavy. It's worth hearing.
Beyonce is back with I Am...Sasha Fierce. Apparently there's supposed to be some kind of concept thing, but I'm not quite impressed enough with what I've heard to care enough to cipher it out.
I saw her big throw down on Saturday Night Live. She puts on a very convincing diva performance. She's just big and beautiful and physically imposing, aggressive and dominating with them big lungs. She knows how to strut a stage and lay out the drama. And that band sure swings like a bitch. I'm just not sure either of those songs were that great as basic compositions.
The one thing I do remember though, which might have something to do with the album concept, is that the first song was about a lesbian relationship. Beyonce very emphatically conjuring up images of herself in a lesbian rut is admittedly appealing. I just can't quite remember the hooks. But I'll have to give this a closer listen.
David Cook is an American Idol winner. He has an album. I'm sure that it's fine CD and that it plays.
Here's the listing of this week's new album releases, courtesy AMG:
Belle & Sebastian The BBC Sessions [Deluxe Edition] Matador Indie Pop, Chamber Pop
Beyonce I Am...Sasha Fierce [Deluxe Edition] Music World Music/Columbia Pop, Adult Contemporary, Urban, Contemporary R&B
David Cook David Cook 19 Recordings/RCA Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Post-Grunge, Pop
Dido Safe Trip Home Arista Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Pop, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter
Ace Hood Gutta Def Jam Southern Rap, Hardcore Rap
Angelo Badalamenti The Edge of Love [Original Soundtrack] Ume Imports Original Score
Beyonce I Am...Sasha Fierce Columbia Pop, Adult Contemporary, Urban, Contemporary R&B
Marat Bisengaliev Karl Jenkins: The Concertos EMI Classics Modern Music for Soloists & Orchestra
Jeffrey Bryant Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4; Rondo in e-flat major Sheridan Square Classical Music for Horn & Orchestra
Isobel Campbell/Mark Lanegan Sunday at Devil Dirt Fontana International Alternative Singer/Songwriter
Pelle Carlberg The Lilac Time Labrador Swedish Pop/Rock, Indie Pop, Twee Pop
Miley Cyrus Breakout [Platinum Edition] [CD/DVD] Hollywood Teen Pop, Dance-Pop
Il Divo The Promise Syco Music/Columbia Classical Crossover, Classical Pop, Vocal Pop
The Doors Live at the Matrix, San Francisco, March 10, 1967 Rhino/Bright Midnight Archive Psychedelic, Rock & Roll
Thomas Fey Haydn: Complete Symphonies No. 70, No. 73, No. 75 Haenssler Classic Classical Music for Orchestra
Frizzell & Friends This Is Our Time Nashville America Honky Tonk, Traditional Country
Sammy Hagar Cosmic Universal Fashion Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Arena Rock, Hard Rock, Pop/Rock, Pop-Metal, Album Rock
Barbara Hendricks Barbara Sings the Blues Arte Verum Modern & Contemporary Vocal Music
David Holmes The Holy Pictures Mercury Funky Breaks, Electronica, Club/Dance, Techno
Randy Houser Anything Goes Universal South Contemporary Country, Country-Pop
Femi Kuti Day by Day Mercer Street/Downtown Afro-Beat, Deep Funk Revival
Ladyhawke Ladyhawke Modular Indie Electronic
Ricky Martin 17 Sony International Latin Pop, Dance-Pop
Momus Joemus American Patchwork Indie Pop, Chamber Pop
Morley Seen Wrasse Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Jason Mraz We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things [2CD/DVD] Atlantic Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Blue-Eyed Soul, Pop/Rock
Mudvayne The New Game Epic Alternative Metal
Nickelback Dark Horse Roadrunner Post-Grunge, Alternative Metal
The Orb The BBC Sessions 1989-2001 Universal/Island UK IDM, Ambient House, Ambient Dub, Electronica, Ambient Techno, Club/Dance
Michael Reisman Philip Glass Soundtracks Orange Mountain Music Contemporary Music for Piano
Original Soundtrack Gonzo: Music from the Film Legacy Soundtracks
Phish At the Roxy (Atlanta '93) Jemp Jam Bands, American Trad Rock, Neo-Psychedelia
Earl Scruggs The Ultimate Collection: Live at the Ryman Rounder Traditional Bluegrass, Traditional Folk, Contemporary Bluegrass
Senor Coconut Around the World [Bonus Tracks] Nacional Indie Electronic, Experimental Techno, Latin Pop
Senor Coconut El Baile Aleman [Bonus Tracks] Nacional Tribute Albums, Latin Dance, Synth Pop, Experimental Techno
Blake Shelton Startin' Fires Warner Bros. New Traditionalist, Contemporary Country
Stereophonics Decade in the Sun: The Best of Stereophonics [Deluxe Edition CD/DVD] Fontana Universal British Trad Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Rod Stewart The Definitive Rod Stewart [Deluxe Edition CD/DVD] Warner Bros. Album Rock, Pop/Rock, Folk-Rock, Soft Rock, Adult Contemporary, Hard Rock, Rock & Roll, Dance-Rock, Blue-Eyed Soul, British Blues, Arena Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Various Artists Boots, Buckles & Spurs: 50 Songs Celebrate 50 Years of Cowboy Tradition Sony Legacy Outlaw Country, Contemporary Country, Country-Pop, Cowboy, Traditional Country
Various Artists The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 11A: 1971 Hip-O Select Smooth Soul, Motown, Funk, Soul
Gene Vincent Born to Be a Rolling Stone Topline Rock & Roll, Folk-Rock, Garage Rock
Wu-Tang Clan Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan Loud/Legacy Hardcore Rap, East Coast Rap, Hip-Hop
Hector Zazou/Swara In the House of Mirrors Crammed Disc Spiritual, Indian Classical, Ethnic Fusion, Progressive Electronic
