Now Downloading: New Releases 08.31.10

End of summer doldrums leaves slim pickens in the new release shelf. School's starting up, though, and the debut from the Jenny Lewis/Johnathan Rice collaboration (Jenny & Johnny) has a kind of high school rebellion/innocence to it, while Yo Gabba Gabba covers the preschool/elementary angle (and, more importantly, the parents). Other releases worth mentioning are the latest from The Weepies, My Morning Jacket's Carl Broemel, Radiohead's Philip Selway, Film School, Richard Thompson and an EP from Anthony and the Johnsons.

Playlist: New Releases 08.31.10

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Jenny and Johnny - I'm Having Fun Now
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Writing songs about relationships is as old as the craft itself, so with the authenticity-minded genre of indie rock, it makes sense that there are so many real life couples collaborating. Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis and Scottish singer/songwriter Johnathan Rice fit into that category, and the songs from their debut, I'm Having Fun Now almost read like couples therapy, with their dirty laundry on full display. "I'll forgive you, if I outlive you," coos Lewis at one point in the fine opener "Scissor Runner." Musically, the duo is like a more amped version of She & Him, with less classic country and more Laurel Canyon, and that is always welcome.

Free AOL Album Stream

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Yo Gabba Gabba - Music Is Awesome, Vol 2
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Is Nickelodeon finally realizing they have a sellable product now in Yo Gabba Gabba? Even though the series has a frothing (and sometimes high) dedicated fan base, every season the series seems on pins & needles awaiting to find out if it gets renewed. Now they're on a nationwide sold-out tour and raking in ticket sales -- and still awaiting renewal. They at least have their second full length compilation out now, featuring MGMT, Datarock, Weezer, Hot Hot Heat along with more original tracks sung by characters from the show. My 3-year old gives it five tard (he has trouble with his 's' still) and the 5-year old likes to pretend he's too old (but he still can't help dancing to it).

Download: "All My Friends Are Insects" - Weezer [mp3]

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More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
The Weepies - Be My Thrill / Free AOL Album Stream
Carl Broemel - All Birds Say / Free AOL Album Stream / "Heaven Knows" [mp3]
Anthony and the Johnsons - Thank You For Your Love EP
Film School - Fission / Free AOL Album Stream / "Heart Full of Pentagons" [mp3]
TV Buddhas - TV Buddhas / "Fun Girls" [mp3]
Richard Thompson - Dream Attic) / Free AOL Album Stream
I'm Here - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack / Free AOL Album Stream
The Two Man Gentlemen Band - ¡Dos Amigos, Una Fiesta! / "Chocolate Milk" [mp3]
Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses - Junky Star
Chucho Valdes - Chucho's Steps
Tracey Thorn - Opposites EP / "Kentish Town (Walls Remix)" [mp3]
Sonny & The Sunsets - Tomorrow Is Alright (Live) / Free AOL Album Stream / "Too Young to Burn" [mp3]
Sahara Smith - Myth Of The Heart

tags: music, album review, jenny and johnny, yo gabba gabba, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody