Hey everybody, it’s June. Even though summer doesn’t officially kick off for another three weeks, most of the kids are out of school and the weather remains consistently beautiful. With the dog days still a couple months away, a fresh summer full of endless possibilities for romance and adventure greets you with a smile.
How have the record companies rewarded us? With a mixture of albums equal parts rad and douche, with no in-between. The Beastie Boys and White Stripes are back with big-time albums that have many salivating like Pavlov’s dog, but we also get new ones from Enrique Iglesias and Toby Keith. Bon Jovi has an album (full of another of Pavlov’s dog’s excretions) coming out, but so do Queens of the Stone Age (excretion-free, thank you very much).
Since movies forsook us long ago, the entire entertainment industry has evolved into one huge two-face, one side rad and the other douche. Times like these I wish this particular industry weren’t the societal reflection that it is.
Here is a brief sampling of June’s new releases:
Queens of the Stone Age: Era Vulgaris, June 12
The title phrase is Latin for “Common Era” and nothing more, but Queens frontman Josh Homme liked the bilingual pun. Always game for bizarre metaphors, Homme described the new album as “dark, hard and electrical, sort of like a construction worker.” Expect a further leap off the deep end for Queens of the Stone Age, who have never been much for easy classification. When reading reviews of the nine songs previewed by the band at South by Southwest, the adjective “twisted” comes up a lot. Billboard wrote the album has “fast, powerful riffs” and “psychedelic, boogie-ish rhythms.” The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas and Screaming Trees’ Marc Lanegan make special appearances.
The White Stripes: Icky Thump, June 19
After taking some time to play glam-rock with the Raconteurs, Jack White is back with ex-wife/“big sister”/old running buddy Meg. This will be the group’s sixth studio album, recorded over the course of three weeks (a Chinese Democracy-like length of time for the Whites, only if that album were ever coming out) in Jack’s new hometown, Nashville. Though the piano featured so prominently on Get Behind Me Satan doesn’t appear at all, Billboard writes there are plenty of eclectic touches to keep you furrowing your brow. Among them: a guitar/trumpet duel between Jack and a trumpeter he found playing in a Music City Mexican restaurant; bagpipes make an appearance; and Meg supposedly sings on a number of songs. The album’s title is Northern English slang, and this will be the first White Stripes album that contains a title track. Why? For the same reason as anything else with this band: because they damn well felt like it.
Art Brut: It’s a Bit Complicated, June 19
For the uninitiated among you, Art Brut is the piss-your-pants hilarious British rock band that made a bit of noise with 2005’s Bang Bang Rock and Roll. The first song the rockers wrote after forming was called “Formed a Band,” and it’s the first song on their debut album; the deadpan ridiculousness only goes on from there. The new album is said to be a touch more complicated than the bashing Britrock of their debut, hence the title. We’re not dealing with rocket scientists or abstract artists here, just hilariously ham-fisted Brits who tell it like it is. It’ll be interesting to discover their definition of “complicated.”
The Beastie Boys: The Mix-Up, June 26
The Beastie Boys dropped the shocking news of the album’s all-instrumental status in an open e-mail to their fan club a couple months back. Mike D uses the phrase “post-punk instrumental” to describe it, telling Pitchfork the band got tired of sitting behind computers to make their music. Said Mr. D, “No vocals, no samples, we played everything.” Fans of their signature wordplay need not fret, however, as they plan to release another version of the album later this year with a wide variety of vocalists added. They are currently in the opening stages of a (mostly European) arena and festival tour this summer, but they plan to sprinkle some instrumental-only shows throughout, much as they did with their two sets at Sasquatch!
Ryan Adams: Easy Tiger, June 26
One of our most prolific songwriters, not to mention one of our most royal pains in the ass, is back with his ninth solo studio album. 2005 saw the release of three albums from Adams, but he had a quiet 2006; that is, if you don’t count the 18 albums worth of nonsense (like hip-hop and rap-rock) he posted to the Cardinal Radio portion of his Web site late last year. An early review in Rolling Stone said this album features Adams’ best work since Heartbreaker. The Cardinals are backing him up again, and Sheryl Crow guests on a track.
Other June releases to look out for (with scheduled U.S. release date):
Paul McCartney, Memory Almost Full, June 5 – This album is the first-ever release on Starbucks’ new record label. Yes, it’s finally true: Sir Paul is officially the biggest sell-out anyone can possibly imagine. And really, it’s not a contest anymore.
Marilyn Manson, Eat Me Drink Me, June 5 – Manson to Revolver: “If I had to do a record review, I'd say it's got a cannibal, consumption, obsessive, violent-sex, romance angle, but with an upbeat swing to it.” Duly noted.
Toby Keith, Big Dog Daddy, June 12 – Keith apparently found time in his busy schedule driving Ford trucks, welding and beating up terrorists to act as producer for the first time in his career. The album’s lead single is already in the top 10.
Enrique Iglesias, Insomniac, June 12 – Mr. Kournikova returns with an album full of potential singles, some of which are hitting the charts as we speak. I missed that hairy growth, really I did. And I don't mean his once prevalent mole ... Oh!
Bon Jovi, Lost Highway, June 19 – Prepare yourself for the Attack of the Tired Cliches! The band had a modest hit with a country-tinged single last year, so naturally they decided to record a whole album of crappy, washed-up pseudo-country rock.
Chemical Brothers, We Are the Night, June 19 – The electronic veterans are back with another album featuring tons of guest stars from the British music scene and lots of fat beats. Other than that, I know absolutely nothing about them. Moving on.
The Polyphonic Spree, The Fragile Army, June 19 – Word has it this 25-member symphonic rock group has ditched the white robes for black and red live show get-up this time around. Expect a gigantic, almost-painful smile while listening to the new album.
Kelly Clarkson, My December, June 26 – The most legit thing to come out of American Idol (don’t know if that’s good or bad) is back with an album on which she wrote or co-wrote every song. In related news, Justin Guarini is bussing tables at a Denny’s in the Valley.
But That's Not All ...
BONNAROO also happens in June, from the 14th to the 17th. We’ve been pumping it pretty hard on the Web site, but in case this is your first time here, on behalf of CB Music I will be front and center for all the ‘roo has to offer. Check back for exclusive reports by yours truly from the festival. Do I care all that much about seeing the Police or Tool, the festival’s two biggest shows? Nope, not really. Luckily enough there’s about a billion and seven other bands making things interesting throughout the weekend. And I promise you, valued CB Music reader, I will keep an open mind throughout. Only because I love you. It’s going to be an insane time, and I’ll be there to let you know how it goes. All I ask in return is that you come down to Nashville and help me pack. Please.
With that, I’m out of here. See you all back in this space come July.
*Information from Wikipedia was used in this story.
Comment on “June Music Preview - What To Get Excited About”
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As for your comments on Paul McCartney. A artists puts out a cd, to be heard and sold. How about Prince putting out a fragrance and putting on a concert at Macys. What is wrong with promotion. Do you want cds to be sold out of a person's garage. Is it a sell out or is this a case of an closed minded reviewer with pen and and outlet to be heard. Isn't anything including your review a sell out, if it's done for more than your own enjoyment. Lighten up friend and join the 21st century.
Paul McCartney's no sellout, he's brilliant! It's just about impossible for anyone over 30 (let alone 64!) to get their stuff on today's radio, be it good, great or bad. Unless you're under 25 can shake your ass (no shot at Shakira I do think she's very talented, you know what I mean!) and jiggle your breasts a bit, you're not marketed and get no airplay. Bravo to Sir Paul with creating a way to get his music to the masses! This may be the SECOND time rock-n-roll was changed by him!
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Hey everybody, it’s June. Even though summer doesn’t officially kick off for another three weeks, most of the kids are out of school and the weather remains consistently beautiful. With the dog days still a couple months away, a fresh summer full of endless possibilities for romance and adventure greets you with a smile. 
June 1st, 2007 at 18:59
As for your comments on Paul McCartney. A artists puts out a cd, to be heard and sold. How about Prince putting out a fragrance and putting on a concert at Macys. What is wrong with promotion. Do you want cds to be sold out of a person's garage. Is it a sell out or is this a case of an closed minded reviewer with pen and and outlet to be heard. Isn't anything including your review a sell out, if it's done for more than your own enjoyment. Lighten up friend and join the 21st century.