New releases: Oct. 25, 2005

Well. I'm not even sure I can get through writing this post, I'm so distraught. Why? Because *NSYNC is coming out with a greatest hits album Tuesday. And you know that that means! Sigh. It means they're never getting back together. And now I have to accept it. Damn. DAMN!

OK. I will try to forge on.

Also on Tuesday, we have yet another eeeeenteresting project from that whipper-snapper Marty Stuart. Seems "Badlands: Ballads of the Lakota" is a CD of original songs (except one) exploring Native American-ness. It is, simultaneously, a tribute of sorts to Mr. Johnny Cash, in particular his appreciation for Native American culture and struggle. Stuart describes this project as sort of a grandson to Cash's 1964 "Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian." Also going for it is the fact this album is recorded with Stuart's band "The Fabulous Superlatives," which is one of my favorite band names of all time.

Also this week we have "This Bird Has Flown - A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles' Rubber Soul." Americana artists the likes of Mindy Smith, Rhett Miller (he of the blessed hair), Yonder Mountain String Band and the Cowboy Junkies do covers of "Rubber Soul" songs, in the same order as on the original album. Nifty, huh? Yeah. Nifty.

The list to look at for Tuesday, Oct. 25:
Hank Williams III -- Straight to Hell (Curb)
The Doc Watson Family -- Tradition (Rounder)
OK, so I'm not sure if this is a straight reissue or perhaps a repackaging, but it sounds interesting, either way. I read in one place that this is a good album for people who think Doc Watson is sometimes too slick. Yeah. Because when I think of Doc Watson, I think of a 29th floor studio somewhere in Manhattan with 12 producers behind the glass and the other musicians recording from Boston. Yeeeeeah. But anyway, I guess the idea is these recordings are even more organic than regular Doc Watson stuff, and it's aimed at showcasing the family business, with emphasis on family. Just as Doc clearly was a musical influence for his kids and grandkids, he himself was influenced by his ancestors, and this album traces that line.
Townes Van Zandt -- Live at Union Chapel, London, England (Tomato Music)
Great Big Sea -- Hard & the Easy (Zoe)
Marty Stuart -- Badlands: Ballads of the Lakota (Universal South)
They Might Be Giants -- They Got Lost (Zoe)
An album of rarities, B-sides, etc. Yummy!
Various artists -- This Bird Has Flown: A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles' Rubber Soul (Razor & Tie)