Sunday, April 24, 2011

TOP 15 Bestsellers in Music You Must Hear - April 2011 (Amazon)

2121
21 is the eagerly awaited sophomore album from British singer-songwriter Adele. It’s the follow up to Adele’s critically acclaimed, Grammy award winning debut album 19 (both named after her age at the time the songs were written). Recorded in Malibu and London, 21 offered Adele the opportunity to work with such luminary producers and songwriters as Rick Rubin, Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder, Dan Wilson and Fraser T. Smith, as well as continuing to work with Francis “Eg” White and Jim Abbiss.

This new collection of songs showcases the growth of this incredible artist, who at the very young age of twenty two, exhibits the poise of a seasoned veteran. Adele’s music takes some new direction while staying true to her signature style. “I discovered lots of artists I'd never heard of, particularly Wanda Jackson, Allison Krauss, Yvonne Fair, Andrew Bird, Neko Case, Lady Antebellum and Steel Drivers who I fell in love with. Then I delved in to more from artists I've loved forever - Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Elbow, Mos Def, Alanis Morissette, Tom Waits and Sinead O'Connor. There's something in every single one of these artists that have really really inspired 21.”

Paper AirplanePaper Airplane
A truly breathtaking collection of 11 exquisite songs, Paper Airplane is Alison Krauss' 14th album and the band's follow-up to 2004's triple Grammy® winning Lonely Runs Both Ways (Rounder). It is Krauss' first release since her 2007 internationally acclaimed, multi-platinum collaboration with Robert Plant, Raising Sand, which won six Grammys including "Record Of The Year" and "Album Of The Year."

Alison Krauss and Union Station features the talents of Krauss (fiddle and lead vocals), Dan Tyminski (guitar, mandolin and lead vocals), Barry Bales (bass and harmony vocals), Ron Block (banjo, guitar and harmony vocals), and Jerry Douglas (Dobro and harmony vocals). Paper Airplane was produced by the band and recorded in Nashville with engineer Mike Shipley (Maroon 5, The Cars, Def Leppard, Joni Mitchell). As bluegrass virtuosos the members of Union Station are beyond compare, and the music they create together transcends all genres. Their work on films such as Cold Mountain and O Brother, Where Art Thou? has contributed immeasurably to a renaissance of American roots music.

Part of Alison Krauss' incontestable talent is how effortlessly she bridges the gap between roots music and country, rock and pop. A highly sought-after collaborator, Krauss has worked with some of the biggest names in popular music, including James Taylor, Phish, Dolly Parton, Yo Yo Ma & Bonnie Raitt. Since signing with Rounder Records at the age of 14 in 1985 Krauss has sold in excess of 12 million albums and garnered 26 Grammy® Awards, the most for any female and the third most of any recording artist in Grammy® history.


Wasting Light
 Wasting Light
 Produced by Butch Vig and mixed by Alan Moulder, Wasting Light was recorded entirely on analog tape in the garage of Grohl s home in California s San Fernando Valley. The no computers/no software back to basics approach has resulted in arguably the strongest and most cohesive effort of the band s 15-year-plus career: From first single Rope to the frenetic opener Bridge Burning to the beautifully bipolar These Days to stunning guest spots from Bob Mould ( Dear Rosemary") and Krist Novoselic ("I Should Have Known"), Wasting Light is a singular triumph: a band that s headlined arenas, stadiums and festivals the world over stripping itself down to the bare essentials and coming up with a world class band s finest hour.


Glee: The Music presents The Warblers Glee: The Music presents The Warblers
 New Direction's rivals, The Dalton Academy Warblers, debuted on Glee this season with a bang as their version of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” became the fastest selling single in the series history. The Warblers, the beloved male a capella group starring Darren Criss and Chris Colfer, now have their own release, Glee: The Music presents The Warblers. This collection features songs performed by The Dalton Warblers, including their unique spin on such hits as Destiny Child’s “Bills, Bills, Bills”, P!nk’s “Raise Your Glass”, Train’s “Hey, Soul Sister” and Wings’ “Silly Love Songs.” Also featured on Glee: The Music presents The Warblers are two album exclusives, the much talked about opening performance of Barbra Streisand’s “What Kind of Fool” from the 2011 MusiCares Person of the Year gala and a never before heard rendition of Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?”



So Beautiful or So What (CD/DVD Deluxe)
  So Beautiful or So What (CD/DVD Deluxe)
Produced by Phil Ramone and Paul Simon, with liner notes written by Elvis Costello, So Beautiful or So What is one of the most highly anticipated albums of the year. Rolling Stone magazine recently declared it, "His best since Graceland," and National Public Radio affirmed, "...his new music balances great poetry and pop. Paul Simon is a national treasure." In their current issue, Filter Magazine calls the new album, "...a new masterpiece from the Picasso of music."



Sigh No More
Sigh No MoreMumford & Sons, West London indie rock quartet, have created a gutsy, old-time sound that marries the magic of Crosby, Stills & Nash with the might of Kings of Leon and the harmonies of Fleet Foxes. Sigh No More was recorded at Eastcoast Studios, where Arctic Monkeys, Brian Eno, Tindersticks and Laura Marling have honored their sound. The band teamed with producer Markus Dravs who has worked with such superstar acts as Arcade Fire, Bjork and Peter Gabriel. Sigh No More was recently released in the UK to critical accolades. The album debut in the UK iTunes Top 10 recently and is being lauded by tastemaker publications. The first single, Little Lion Man , is already being boasted as The Hottest Record in the World by Radio 1's Zane Lowe, and the band has been long listed for the BBC Sounds of 2008 Pool, which features the most promising new music talent.
Formed in 2007, that band's goal since day one has been to make music that matters. Before recording their debut, Mumford & Sons self produced three EP's and toured the UK extensively, bringing their rootsy rock across the country. The band recently wrapped a handful of well-received performances during the annual CMJ Music Marathon in New York, which left Time Out NY to comment, The Brit combo has a spine-tingling way to harmony.


How To Become Clairvoyant How To Become Clairvoyant
Named one of Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, Robbie Robertson sets to release, How To Become Clairvoyant, his fifth solo album and his first record in more than 10 years. Guitar virtuosos Eric Clapton (who co-wrote three tracks with Robertson), Tom Morello and Robert Randolph guest on the album, which Robertson co-produced with Marius de Vries. How To Become Clairvoyant also features Steve Winwood and Trent Reznor as well as vocalists Angela McCluskey, Rocco Deluca, Dana Glover and Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes. Bassist Pino Palladino and drummer Ian Thomas lay down the groove throughout.

On his last two albums Robertson explored his ancestry. Now, with How To Become Clairvoyant, he takes on his rock heritage, delivering his first-ever song about leaving The Band, the evocative This Is Where I Get Off. What is lost? What is missing? Robertson asks on When The Night Was Young, a poignant reflection on youthful idealism. We could change the world/stop the war...but that was back when the night was young.

The smoldering Straight Down The Line is a sly nod to rock n roll s early reputation as the Devil s music, while the blistering He Don t Live Here No More is a song about excess. The latter features Clapton on harmony vocal and electric and slide guitars alongside Robertson s soulful gut string guitar solo.

Robertson was a founding member of The Band, penning such classic songs as The Weight, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down and Up On Cripple Creek. The Band s 1976 farewell concert was documented by director Martin Scorsese in the film The Last Waltz and the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. In addition to his acclaimed solo albums, Robertson also has a long list of film credits. As Executive Soundtrack Producer for 1996 s Phenomenon, he recruited Clapton to perform Change the World, which subsequently won GRAMMY® awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. He has collaborated with Scorsese on numerous films, including Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, Casino, Gangs of New York and Shutter Island.




The King Of LimbsThe King Of Limbs
1) Bloom
2) Morning Mr Magpie
3) Little By Little
4) Feral
5) Lotus Flower
6) Codex
7) Give Up The Ghost
8) Separator


Helplessness Blues Helplessness Blues
Fleet Foxes are from Seattle and the members of the band are Robin Pecknold, Skye Skjelset, Josh Tillman, Casey Wescott, Christian Wargo, and Morgan Henderson. The first Fleet Foxes album (Fleet Foxes) was released on Sub Pop in 2008, and though the band s intention was to record a new album in the 6-8 months following its release, the reception of the record was such that Fleet Foxes found themselves very busy, touring consistently through the end of 2009.

Engineered and mixed by Phil Ek and co-produced by Phil and the band, the new Fleet Foxes record is called Helplessness Blues. Recording for Helplessness Blues began in April 2010 at Dreamland Recording in Woodstock, NY and continued off and on through November of that same year back in Seattle at numerous studios, including Bear Creek, Reciprocal Recording and Avast. Like very nearly every worthwhile thing, making this album was not easy; it was a difficult second album to make. Drawing inspiration from folk/rock from about 1965 to 1973, and Van Morrison s Astral Weeks in particular, Helplessness Blues sees Fleet Foxes heighten and extend themselves, adding instrumentation (clarinet, the music box, pedal steel guitar, lap steel guitar, Tibetan singing bowls, vibraphone, etc., along with more traditional band instrumentation), with a focus on clear, direct lyrics, and an emphasis on group vocal harmonies. We have it on good authority that the album is called Helplessness Blues for at least a couple of reasons. One, it's kind of a funny title. Secondly, one of the prevailing themes of the album is the struggle between who you are and who you want to be or who you want to end up, and how sometimes you are the only thing getting in the way of that.


Sing It Loud
Sing It Loud
Nonesuch Records releases k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang's Sing it Loud on April 12, 2011. Produced by lang and Joe Pisapia, it is the award-winning singer-songwriter's first record made entirely with a band of her own since the pair of albums with the Reclines that launched her groundbreaking career over 20 years ago.
This collection of songs reflects the organic, collaborative nature of the sessions, which took place at Pisapia's Middletree Studios in Nashville. Many of the songs were recorded live in the studio and that energy is palpable. The lead single "I Confess" is one of three songs lang penned with keyboardist Daniel Clarke and Joshua Grange, who plays baritone guitar and dobro. In addition to the original material, Sing it Loud includes a striking version of Talking Heads' "Heaven." Pisapia, who plays numerous instruments and serves as the band's musical director, contributed the title track and co-wrote five songs with lang. Bassist Lex Price (Mindy Smith, Peter Bradley Adams) and drummer/percussionist Fred Eltringham (The Wallflowers) complete the lineup.
Sing it Loud is lang's first studio album since 2008's Watershed, which debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. In 2010, she marked the 25th anniversary of her recording debut with Recollection, a career retrospective.


Hard Bargain Hard BargainHard Bargain
Emmylou Harris's Hard Bargain will be released April 26 on Nonesuch Records. The album follows Harris's acclaimed 2008 release, All I Intended to Be, which received widespread acclaim - Newsweek called it an album that "shows that Harris is still the stalwart songbird at the top of the roost." Hard Bargain, which comprises 11 new songs by Harris as well as two covers, was produced by Jay Joyce (Cage the Elephant, Patty Griffin).



Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 Hot Sauce Committee Part 2
2011 release, the long-awaited eighth album from the Hip Hop/Rock trio. Hot Sauce Committee Part Two was produced by Beastie Boys and mixed by Philippe Zdar. This album marks Mike "Mike D" Diamond, Adam "Ad Rock" Horovitz and Adam "MCA" Yauch's first full length effort since 2007's Grammy-winning all-instrumental The Mix-Up.




Blessed Blessed
Blessed, the stunning new album from three-time Grammy Award-winner Lucinda Williams is set for release on March 1st 2011 by Lost Highway. Considered by many to be one of America's greatest living songwriters, Williams lives up to that and more by delivering 12 new songs that cover an even wider emotional spectrum than her previous work, without moving too far in any one direction. Blessed opens with the gritty kiss-off "Buttercup" then moves seamlessly into the sultry blues of "Born To Be Loved". Williams delves into a heavier subject as she questions the motives for a suicide on the hard-driving "Seeing Black", which features blistering guitar from Elvis Costello. The thoughtful title track slowly builds to a melodic climax as it offers an eye-opening look at what's right in front of us, but too often unnoticed. The poignant and powerful "Soldier's Song" simultaneously tells a tragic story of the soldier overseas and his wife and child back home. On the gorgeous "Kiss Like Your Kiss", Williams lays down one of the most beautiful and fragile vocals she has ever recorded. The original version of "Kiss Like Your Kiss" appeared on the True Blood: Music From The HBO Original Series - Volume 2 and was just nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Song written for motion picture, television or other visual media. It's nothing new to see Williams tug at the heartstrings and stimulate the mind with her songs, but there is a vibe throughout Blessed that is unique to this album in-particular. It's the sound of the wisdom and experience Williams has gained through her years as an uncompromising talent. Combine that with Grammy Award-winning producer Don Was at the helm, and something special is born. Was co-produced Blessed with Eric Liljestrand and Tom Overby, who co-produced Williams highly-praised Little Honey (2008). Blessed features special guests Rami Jaffe on keyboards, Matthew Sweet on vocals Greg Leisz and Elvis Costello on guitar.
The Deluxe Edition comes with a bonus disc called 'The Kitchen Tapes'. These are the demos Lucinda recorded of the songs that became Blessed right as they were born at her kitchen table, where she does most of her writing. To further enhance Lucinda's vision, The Deluxe Edition is available with 8 different album cover images randomly distributed through the manufacturing process. The one cover you get may not be the one you see here, but we're sure you'll agree it's an equally powerful image and another facet of this incredible album.


In Your Dreams In Your Dreams
n Your Dreams is Nicks' first CD of new material since the release of her Grammy nominated Trouble in Shangri-La ten years ago. In Your Dreams was written and recorded at Nicks' Los Angeles home and is co-produced by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard. Nicks and Stewart co-wrote seven of the album's thirteen songs. "I had written a song in Brisbane, Australia when I was on tour with Fleetwood Mac in 2009 called 'Moonlight - A Vampire's Dream' which was inspired by the New Moon film. When I finished writing that song, which came together really quickly, I knew the time was right to start recording. We had a core group of five people who were at the heart of the creation of In Your Dreams. Dave and myself, my longtime friend and musical director, Waddy Wachtel, and my girls, Sharon Celani and Lori Nicks. It was a perfect blend,"" commented Nicks. "This was one of the most extraordinary experiences I've had making a record. It is the first album that I have had this kind of collaboration since the making of Rumours. Dave created a situation where I could be totally creative and focused on writing songs and making music. I cannot remember ever having this much fun making a record. Writing the songs and recording them in my home studio was the key element in how this music turned out. It made the whole process seem very similar to how we used to work back in the day," she concluded.

The first single is "Secret Love" written by Nicks. "It was 1976 and Fleetwood Mac was opening for Peter Frampton at the time. It was written about a forbidden relationship - not Peter and I," laughed Nicks. "I always knew that one day I was going to record the song."

Nicks is currently gearing up to join forces with fellow rocker Rod Stewart for the 16 city Heart & Soul Tour, one of the most anticipated music events of the year.


LungsLungs
2009 debut album from the hotly tipped UK outfit fonted by Florence Welch. Lungs, produced by Paul Epworth, James Ford and Steve Mackay, is an intoxicating mix of delicate fragility, dark humor and twisted Tim Burton style fairy-tales. From the live favourite 'You've Got The Love' to the raw Blues-tinged 'Girl With One Eye' to the beautifully painful 'Between Two Lungs', the album is crammed with crowd pleasers. Also boasting fresh tracks like new single 'Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)', 'Drumming' - with its epic denseness, the terrifyingly brilliant 'Howl' and 'Hurricane Drunk' with it's paradoxical charms of heartbreak, love and loss, Lungs promises to leave us wanting more of the insanely captivating Florence Welch.

1 comment:

  1. i love every song on this album which is rare for anyone to say about any album. the vocals are great and the guitar and banjo is awesome. the lyrics of the songs are haunting as are the vocals which are well matched for each song.

    ReplyDelete

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