Now Downloading: New Releases 09.04.07

That headache and dry mouth I get from looking at the new releases this week is a Labor day hangover... there's not many big releases willing to brave the Tuesday after holiday release. Amongst the fearless this week is Manu Chao and Heavy Trash, which features a notoriously fearless John Spencer. Meanwhile, I find myself listening more to next week's big 9/11 drop of releases.

Playlist: New Releases 09.04.07

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Album: Manu Chao - La Radiolina

It's been six years since this 46-year old international superstar graced us with a studio album, and La Radiolina is a return to his Sandanista-inspired roots of the protest rock of his former band Mano Negra. As I wrote a few weeks ago, the lead single "Rainin in Paradize" touches on many political hotspots, and much of the album follows suit, especially the sing-along "Politik Kills." Chao spins the globe with subject matter in his 22-songs (using five different languages - Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, French and English,) but keeps you grounded by periodically returning to that 'Raining' riff. The highlight, though, is probably "Me Llaman Calle" (or "My Name is Street,") which is about the sex trade and originally appeared in the Spanish film Princesas, about two prostitutes in Madrid. The song shows how Chao can sing about sad circumstances yet sound joyful and full of heart, and much of the album follows suit.

Listen to the album streaming on manuchao.net
Download: "Rainin in Paradize", "Me Llaman Calle"
(Nacional Records)
Buy at Manu Chao Order Store
More On This Album

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Album: Heavy Trash - Going Way Out with Heavy Trash

Heavy Trash combines the blues trash of John Spencer (Blues Explosion) with the rockabilly sensibility of Matt Verta-Ray (Speedball Baby,) for a fun take on the early sound of Rock n' Roll. Spencer still howls and screams, but the rest of the sound is much reigned in compared to each other's prior projects. For Going Way Out with Heavy Trash, their sophomore release, they've also added The Sadies, rounding their sound with more alt-country textures. "Outside Chance" sounds like early (early) Stones, and "That Ain't Right" could be Johnny Cash (if Cash had channeled Screamin' Jay Hawkins.) All in all, it's really only rock and roll... but I like it.

Stream the album from Yep Rock records

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Get an early (streaming) look at:
Pinback - Autumn of the Seraphs

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More going (or already in) the Sansa
Calvin Harris - I Created Disco
Patti Scialfa - Play It As It Lays (Free album stream from AOL)
Ferraby Lionheart - Catch The Brass Ring (Free album stream from AOL)
Marla Hansen - Wedding Day
The Holloways - So This Is Great Britain?
Just Jack - Overtones (Free album stream from AOL)
The Perishers - Victorious
Various Artists - Guilt By Association
Panacea - The Scenic Route
Marmalade Souls - In Stereo

tags: music, album review, manu chao, heavy trash, calvin harris, world music, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody