For those that for whatever reason care about my opinion on new music [read: crazies], here is the October new releases that were worthwhile. And, delivered even faster then the September ones. Oh, you lucky lucky ones.

Beck - The Information (Interscope)
It feels like yesterday Guero came out, so I was taken a bit off guard when the new Beck album arrived on my door step. Not on the charts at all in the UK because of it’s clever packaging idea (apparently creativity is not allowed), The Information I think is a continuation of Beck’s ever changing and always clever take on music.

Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist (Warner)
Most are calling it a return to White Pony, which would of been their finest hour. The band once again depart from creating singles in favor creating lush ever changing sonic soundscapes. System Of A Down’s Serj Tankian and Giant Drag’s Annie Hardy lend their vocal talents to two tracks on the effort.

Evanescence - The Open Door (Wind-Up)
Evanescence it steps it up a notch, and for the most part avoids the dreaded sophomore slump. Without Ben Moody, the group continue to create piano and guitar driven ethereal and some what gothic musical landscapes, with a polished pop sense.

Goldfrapp - We Are Glitter (Mute)
Ah, remixes! Most of the time these albums bore me but leave it to Goldfrapp to make an interesting and dynamic remix album. It rests on the strength of the original songs, but an added twist keeps it both interesting and out of dull uninspired mixes. The Flaming Lips Wayne Coyle lends his talents to one of the tracks, producing one of the solid mixes on the album.

The Killers - Sam’s Town (Island)
The once critical darlings are not so darlings of the critics any more. I’m sure the mouth of America’s new defender shitting on bands that most people hold dear and proclaiming this to be the best album in twenty years didn’t really help them out any. While this obviously isn’t the best album in twenty years, it’s not as bad as it’s made out to be. Take away the ego of the front man when you take a listen and you will see the band take strides to make serious music, a step up from the atmosphere of the first album. While the band have a long way to go and a PR nightmare to clean up, it’s good.

Nitzer Ebb - Body Of Work 1984-1997 (Mute)
Nitzer Ebb’s music has with stood the test of the time, and apparently so has this compilation. Originally due out in 2003, it has now finally seen the light of day. With disc one a collection of all the groups popular tracks, and disc two with some b-sides and remixes. The collection compliments the group recent reunion and upcoming remix disc, and an introduction to a new generation of dance floors.

Pet Shop Boys - Pop Art: The Hits (Capitol/EMI)
It’s been out for awhile as an import, but EMI finally got on the ball and released a solid 2-disc greatest hits collection for the Pet Shop Boys’. Where ‘Discography’ left some to be desired, this fills the holes for those looking for the hits and a bit more, but not ready to invest in buying up all their albums.

Willie Nelson & The Cardinals - Songbird (Lost Highway)t
While Willie Nelson’s name is on the cover, the record just as much belongs to Ryan Adams. He produced it, wrote a song for it, and his band ‘The Cardinals’ backed Nelson. Ryan’s presents pushed ol’ Willie into more rock oriented territory then he probably would otherwise, but over all the song selection is sweet and it really is the old guard meeting the next generation. Covers of The Grateful Dead, Leonard Cohen, Gram Parsons and Fleetwood Mac grace the collection that is pretty rockin’ for a country album.

[Some of these may be reviewed in a few days as some are still coming my way]

Also out this month…
Brazil - The Philosophy Of Velocity (Immortal)
Cobra Starship - While The City Sleeps, We Rule The Streets (Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen)
Cold War Kids - Robbers & Cowards (Downtown)
Jet - Shine On (Atlantic)
Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash At San Quentin (Columbia/Legacy)
Moby - Go: The Very Best Of Moby (V2)
Primus - They Can’t All Be Zingers: The Best Of Primus (Interscope)
Sparta - Threes (Hollywood)
The Flaming Lips - At War With The Mystics (CD/DVD) (Warner)

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 9th, 2006 at 11:16 pm and is filed under New Releases. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.