Now Downloading: New Releases 03.06.07

Today marks another big release day, and I've already covered my two favorites making their way on to the shelves this week (Arcade Fire's Neon Bible and Apostle of Hustle's National Anthem of Nowhere which both came in early.)

Here's the best of the rest:

Playlist: New Releases 03.06.2007

----------------------------------------

Album: Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall 1971

Recorded between After the Goldrush (1970) and Harvest (1972), this live performance captures that moment in time beautifully, with Young stripped down and in storyteller mode. He'd just moved to the ranch in Laurel Canyon, and much of the new songs that would appear on Harvest are reflective of that change in location. Highlights include an early rendition of "Heart of Gold" snuck in as an interlude in the song "A Man Needs a Maid." Recorded in Toronto, Canada, it marks a sort of homecoming for Young, as he'd just recently hit the big time and was returning as the conquering hero, and the love between audience and performer is clearly felt.

Live at Massey Hall 1971 doesn't come out until next week (March 13, along with a simultaneous release of concert DVD) but we get it in Rhapsody a week early, so enjoy.

Video: "Old Man" , "Ohio" , "The Needle and the Damage Done"

----------------------------------------

Album: Son Volt - The Search

Appropriate to follow Neil Young with a follower in Son Volt. This, the second release of Son Volt 2.0 (Okemah and the Melody of Riot being the first,) the band reformed following lead singer Jay Farrar's sketchy solo outputs, finds the band stretching from it's friendly alt-country surroundings. Horn arrangements, phase-effected and backward looped guitars and distorted vocals distract the songs from being as direct as they could - airing frustrations about the current administration. Farrar hasn't sounded this confident since their 1995 debut Trace, and while it doesn't measure up to that gem, it's a worthy followup to Okemah and the Melody of Riot.

----------------------------------------

Album: Albert Hammond, Jr - Yours To Keep

The Strokes rhythm guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. steps out for a relaxed mix of pop gems. When I say relaxed, I'm talking a Robert Pollard Sunday afternoon of recording... kicking back with some beers and friends and cranking out some melodies. It's not a whole lot more then that, but do we really need much more. Kudos for the Guided By Voices cover of "Postal Blowfish" (another Pollard Sunday afternoon gem) buried towards the end of the album.

-------------------------------

Other picks from this week downloaded into the Sansa:
Arcade Fire Neon Bible
Apostle of Hustle National Anthem of Nowhere
Air Pocket Symphony
The Cinematics A Strange Education
RJD2 The Third Hand
Ry Cooder My Name is Buddy
Wolf & Club Vessels
Maria Taylor Lynn Teeter Flower

And because I missed last week (due to technical difficulties) here's that playlist as well.
Playlist: New Releases 02.27.07
Tracklisting

tags: music, album review, son volt, air, arcade fire, neil young, apostle of hustle, albert hammond, the strokes, indie rock, album review, new releases, rhapsody