The Blend - CD of the Month

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August 2010

Macy Gray
The Sellout
(Concord)

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It's clear from opening moments of the record's first single, the irresistibly anthemic "Beauty In The World", that The Sellout is the work of an artist who has reconnected with the essence of her creative gifts after a long, soul-numbing journey through the music biz's star-making machinery. "The Sellout tells the story of how I found my salvation in just being myself instead of who other people thought I should be," said the striking singer. "I had got to a place in my career where I tried everything that was asked of me and in doing so I lost sight of who Macy Gray really is. I spent over a year making this album without any pressure or opinions and being able to choose the co-writers, producers and artists that felt good to me. As a result, it really reflects my true identity. I feel like I have finally made the album I was capable of and that my fans wanted. These are some of my favorite songs that I've written."

Sparkling melodies and personal lyrical insights dazzle throughout The Sellout, an authentic and confidently delivered statement from one of contemporary music's most skillful and creative forces. The highlights are rich and plentiful including the alluring, soul-pop groove of "Lately", "That Man" a mouth-watering slice of Ting Ting's inflected 80's new-wave, the Joan Jett meets T- Rex thump and screaming Slash guitar of "Kissed It", and the beguiling, "Still Hurts", a vulnerable, emotion filled keep-sake ballad, just to name a few.

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July 2010

Good Old War
Good Old War
(Sargent House)

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Good Old War reportedly composed and recorded their self-titled sophomore album in a cabin of the Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania. For those unfamiliar with the intricacies of Pennsylvanian geography, the Pocono Mountains are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains, and while seemingly isolated, stand only two hours from northern New Jersey and New York City by car. This juxtaposition of complete isolation and proximity to a bustling cultural center encapsulates Good Old War’s sound perfectly. The trio might seem like another Fleet Foxes imitation, lurking on mountainsides searching for that perfect introspective catharsis, but Good Old War are much too worldly to fall into that niche. Where Fleet Foxes might sing, “Lie to me if you will/At the top of Beringer Hill,” Good Old War demonstrates an awareness of their cosmopolitan audience in the real world by singing (on their first album), “I’m going to Coney Island to have myself a dog.” Trapped inside the warmth of their vocal harmonies, the deftness of their guitar progressions, and the precision of their uptempo rhythms is the energy of youth...[read more here]

- Tyler Fisher, SputnikMusic.com

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The Blend - Archives

January 2008	Will Hoge	Draw the Curtains	(Rykodisc)
February 2008	Tift Merritt	Another Country	(Fantasy)
March 2008	Malcolm Holcombe	Gamblin' House	(Echo Mountain)
April 2008	Marcia Ball	Peace, Love, & BBQ	(Alligator)
May 2008	B-52's	Funplex	(Astralwerks)
June 2008	John Hiatt	Same Old Man	(New West)
July 2008	Jim White	Transnormal Skiperoo	(Luaka Bop)
August 2008	Los Lonely Boys	Forgiven	(Epic)
September 2008	Dar Williams	Promised Land	(Razonr & Tie)
October 2008	Randall Bramblett	Now It's Tomorrow	(New West)
November 2008	Nikka Costa	Pebble to a Pearl	(Stax)
December 2008	Taj Mahal	Maestro	(Heads Up)
January 2009	David Byrne & Brian Eno	Everything That Happens Will Happen Today	(Todomundo)
February 2009	Alice Russell	Pot of Gold	(Six Degrees)
March 2009	Good Old War	Only Way To Be Alone	(Sargent House)
April 2009	M. Ward	Hold Time	(Merge)
May 2009	Derek Trucks Band	Already Free	(Victor)
June 2009	Heywire	Smells Like Vegas	(Heywire Entertainment)
July 2009	Elvis Costello	Secret, Profane, & Sugarcane	(Hear Music)
August 2009	Paul Carrack	I Know That Name	(429 Records)
September 2009	Bill Noonan	The Man That I Can't Be	(Catawaba City)
October 2009	The Coal Men	Kids With Songs	(Funzalo)
November 2009	Band of Heathens	One Foot In the Ether	(BOH Records)
December 2009	Norah Jones	The Fall	(Blue Note)
January 2010	Ang Medlin	Play Without Fear	(Sid Hippo)
February 2010	Blind Boys of Alabama	Duets	(Sagurao Road)
March 2010	Backyard Tire Fire	Good To Be	(Kelsey Street Records)
April 2010	Carolina Chocolate Drops	Genuine Negro Jig	(Nonesuch)
May 2010	The Overmountain Men	Glorious Day	(Ramseur)
June 2010	Truth & Salvage Co.	Truth & Salvage Co.	(Megaforce)
July 2010	Good Old War	Good Old War	(Sargent House)
August 2010	Macy Gray	The Sellout	(Concord)

 

 

About the CD-of-the-Month Club

Members of the WSGE CD-of-the-Month Club receive a new CD each month hand-picked by our musical experts. This club is available in two musical genres - The Blend or Beach/Shag. Available at the $375 pledge level. Donate Now!

 

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