New releases: April 11, 2006

You know, as I compile the list of new releases each week, I scroll through I lot of Web sites for record companies, magazines, music aficionados, etc. And I see a lot of band names. When I see one I recognize, and when that recognition makes me go "oooooooh!" in a good way (as opposed to "ewwwwww" in a bad way), and when that band is releasing a new album I think y'all would want to know about, that name goes on the list.

But sometimes I see band names that make me go "Wha-a-a-a-a-a-t?" or "Yessss!" or just make me giggle a lot. I speak of band names such as Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, or I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness, or Jedi Mind Tricks. Most of these wonderfully named bands don't make my list, only because they're not Americana-ish bands. But, I've been thinking -- why should I keep all the fun to myself?

So now, ladies and gentlemen (or brothers and sisters, for those of you who now have converted to the Glorious Church of Jay Farrar), I shall on Fridays bring you the Best Band Name Ever of the Week -- that's a FREE extra special bonus with your new releases list, yours just for being a valued customer. If for any reason you're not satisfied with our new releases list, the Band Name of the Week is yours to keep with our compliments.

So what's this week's Best Band Name Ever of the Week? Unh unh unh -- first you have to finish your list (YES, all of it), then you get dessert.

New releases for Tuesday, April 11, 2006:
Josh Ritter -- The Animal Years (V2)
Finally, some love for American fans.
Calexico -- Garden Ruin (Quarterstick)
Mark Schatz -- Steppin in the Boiler House (Rounder)
Crazy-banjo playin' Schatz bands up with Casey Driessen (another of my many Merlefest crushes), Jim Hurst and Missy Raines. Guests on the album include Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Tim O'Brien and Bela Fleck. I'm just sayin'.
Pretty Girls Make Graves -- Elan Vital (Matador)
A favorite of Hickory Wind's own LAN-tastic Larry. (I don't even know what that means, aside from I like to make fun of Larry for being a computer geek. I can't independently verify that Larry's ever been to or hosted a LAN party, but I have my suspicions.)
Albert Lee -- Road Runner (Sugar Hill)
Tish Hinojosa -- Retrospective (Varese)

And, finally, the Best Band Name Ever of the Week award goes to (drum roll ...): The Buttless Chaps, who proudly bring you the surprisingly prettily titled "Where Night Holds Light" (Mint) next week.

NOTE: When seeking information on the band The Buttless Chaps on the Internets, may I suggest not typing "buttless chaps" into Google. Especially when you are at work. Especially when at work you have a 20-inch monitor. Not that that's ever happened to me or anything.

These affable fellows hail from sunny Canada and played at SXSW. So maybe they belong on this list for reasons beyond just a funny name. They have songs available on their Web site, but I haven't had a chance to listen yet. I'm already in enough trouble as it is after that little at-work google search. Which totally didn't happen or anything. Yeah.