August 5, 2005
New releases: Aug. 9, 2005
Posted by Stacy Chandler at August 5, 2005 7:14 AMAh, Fridays. The end of the workweek, the beginning of the weekend ... and one day closer to new-CD-release Tuesdays!
Next Tuesday has a pretty short list of releases of interest, but what it lacks in quantity it makes up for with quality. I speak of Nickel Creek, my friends. I speak of Mr. Richard Thompson. I speak of a new disc from the fine folks at Putumayo.
My pick o' the week is gonna have to be Nickel Creek, hands down. Please note that I make this pick blindly, as I haven't heard that or any of these CDs. What am I, Paris Hilton? You think I get to listen to CDs early? Psh. I wish. But I feel confident with my choice, as Nickel Creek hasn't failed me yet. They are cute, they are cuddly, they are young -- and they are talented as get-all. Don't let their youth fool you for a second. These guys know their instruments, they know their voices, and they know their craft. They have covered songs by the likes of Pavement as well as plenty of traditional ditties, but their secret-weapon strength is their songwriting. I can see how one might overlook that, blinded as one can become by the sheer awesomeness of Sean Watkins' guitar chops, sister Sara Watkins' fiddling abilities and purty voice, and ... sigh ... my secret husband Chris Thile's mandolin rawking (yeah, I said RAWK!) abilities. So dreamy. So beautiful. Sigh.
Ahem. Anyway, if you do not know of this Nickel Creek of which I speak, be warned: It is unlike anything you've heard. It's bluegrass-based, you bet. But it's definitely a step forward. If you like your bluegrass pure and old-skool, you might be turned off. That's fine then, more Chris Thile for me. The kids (my sweet love Chris is the oldest, I think, at 24 if I'm not mistaken) bring some pop and rock sensibilities into the mix, especially in their vocal styles. Sometimes (gasp!) there are drums. But it works, trust me.
Don't trust me? Fine, you jerks. Ask Alison Krauss -- she produced their first two records, which I'd say is a vote of confidence. She isn't producing this one, so I'm eager to see how their sound changes, if any. Last one to the record store on Tuesday is a rotten egg!
THE LIST*:
Nickel Creek -- Why Should the Fire Die? (Sugar Hill)
Richard Thompson -- Front Parlour Ballads (Cooking Vinyl USA)
Eliza Gilkyson -- Paradise Hotel (Red House)
Stephen Stills -- Man Alive (Titan-Pyramid/Universal)
Carrie Newcomer -- Regulars and Refugees (Philo)
Various artists -- Putumayo Presents American Folk (Putumayo)
Juliana Hatfield -- Made in China (Ye Olde Records)
* By no means a complete list. It's just stuff we thought might be of interest to you, our dear readers, lovers of good music. You'll notice, for example, I left out the newest from Staind, also out this Tuesday. WHAT??? You DID notice that? Get off this site. Now. Shoo! Go on, git! ;) Still here? Notice something good that was left off? Leave a comment, let us know!
I, for one, would like to second those "props" to Nickel Creek. They actually have samples of the new album on their web site if you want to hear a snippet of it early. It is quite different from the first two, of course the first two were quite different from one another. Anyway, I have seen them live (and will be seeing them again come October here in Hot-lanta) and they are outstanding. The first time I saw them was in Athens near the U of GA and they asked everyone to be really quiet, turned off their sound equipment, and played about three songs truly acoustic...it was magic. Oh yeah, and my son was very colicky his first three months and....no lie nor exaggeration here...I would throw in a Nickel Creek album and he would stop crying.
Posted by: Waylon at August 5, 2005 8:46 AMDUDE! "Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen" is totally coming out Tuesday! As is Tommy Lee's new record and a Ramones box set. LET'S RAWK!
Oh, and something by Stephan Stills. Whoever that is. :-)
Posted by: Sharon at August 5, 2005 10:05 AMYeah...about that blind pick for the new Nickel Creek album... You seem to have a lot of faith in them.
Granted, I've only heard one song off of the album (Best of Luck). And granted, it's not...bad. It's just not terribly...good, either. You may also want to rethink that comment about 'bluegrass-based' The song I heard seems to leave out (or at least reduce) the mandolin, fiddle, and guitar stylings that made them so incredible in the first place.
And Sara Watkins attempts to sing with a bit more power in her voice.
It doesn't work terribly well.
The other songs may be good. Perhaps I need to have some faith.
Posted by: Carlton at August 5, 2005 10:40 AMHey, why wait?? Scoot on over to CMT.com (hint, hint, Larry) and listen to the new Nickel Creek CD in its entirety. The link is:
http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/creek_nickel/938799/album.jhtml
While you're there, be sure to check out these other cool features:
1. Sessions 330 featuring the likes of Del McCoury, the Old Crows, and the Duhks.
2. New Voices No Cover - Past featured artists include Chatham County Line, Thad Cockrell & Caitlin Cary, and Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion.
3. Speaking of Sarah Lee & Johnny, you can even listen to their entire album on the site. I did and am the better for it.
4. The Nashville Skyline weekly column by Chet Flippo is a riot. Checkout the July 14th "If I Ran Nashville" edition.
BTW, I'm in no way affiliated with CMT, CMT.com, or any of its subsidiaries.
Posted by: James at August 5, 2005 12:29 PMI couldn't get the audio player at CMT to work.
Like I said - I've only heard one song. The others songs may redeem it.
Posted by: Carlton Swift at August 5, 2005 4:52 PMI heard the new nickel creek cd about 2 weeks ago..not bad. (looking guilty)...I found it on usenet...
Posted by: Justin at August 5, 2005 6:29 PMi'm thinking that Somebody More Like You will be their "radio hit".
Posted by: Justin at August 5, 2005 6:44 PMI went to iTunes and bought a Nickel Creek EP they have there (three new songs and "The Smoothie Song" performed live), and my sweet sweet Chris Thile said in one of the song intros that he wrote "Jealous of the Moon" from the new album with Mr. Gary Louris of the Jayhawks. A merger of minds from two of my favorite bands -- hells. yes.
Posted by: Stacy at August 7, 2005 10:40 PM
