I am happy to announce that this week is another outstanding example of releases that will relieve listeners of this summer's atrocities. This week's installment capitalizes on the fact that talent does exist, you just need to know where to find it. Throughout many of my LP Release Tuesdays, I've openly complained about plenty of records. Last week, my assumption that “the summer is a time for a plethora of ailing records from bands who couldn't really care less” was the seminal anecdote from that column, but with the weather easing, there may still be time to turn the season around. Here’s this week’s LP releases:


5) George Strait Here For A Good Time Taken straight from a 1950’s western film, the cowboy looking country music star George Strait is a beloved artist among those who appreciate his music. Fans call him the “king of country,” but I don't listen to enough music in the genre to have any idea whether or not he's worthy. His music has been described as a fusion of western swing, honky-tonk and traditional country, which isn't my ideal "style" of music, so I'll try not to be too rough. Even if his music is not akin to your tastes, plenty of artists and fans still tip their cowboy hats to the “She'll Leave You with a Smile” hit-maker.

Strait’s latest record Here For A Good Time is said to have not changed at all from his familiar style. I would normally conclude my thoughts for an artist like this with a logical, well structured argument against their tepid grace for anti-evolution, but in the case of George Strait, I can only assume that his followers would not want anything else from him. Songs like the title track “I’ll Always Remember You,” and “Drinkin’ Time” all showcase this artist's knack for providing his audience with a barrage of familiar sounds.


4) Lindsey Buckingham Seeds We Sow Are you a fan of Fleetwood Mac? Though many of my readers would not find it hard to say yes, there are plenty of people who won't admit that the Stevie Nicks led group is good. It's mainly my generation of audiences who have a problem with admitting so. They're either men unwilling to admit they listen to anything that resembles feminine music or they're people with awful taste. I'll assume the former. Mac's heavy blend of blues-rock and pop vocals are anything but feminine, and even Stevie Nicks' deeply melodic voice triggeredd a sense of rock euphoria that neither pop superstars Taylor Swift nor Lady Gaga could achieve. But, I digress.

The main reason for Fleetwood Mac’s heavy blues sound was due to the multi-instrumentalist Lindsey Buckingham. Through his effortless instrumentation, the group found their sound in multiple genres and blended them together for a unique style all their own. Since 1981, Buckingham released six solo efforts. Now that his touring schedule has shrunk considerably,he's found enough time to work on another record, Seeds We Sow. Sticking with his similar rock sound from Fleetwood Mac, the artist's latest endeavor is nothing short of what we would expect from him; unique and timeless rock n roll.


3) Horrible Crows Elsie If you enjoy Bruce Springsteen, then maybe you should check out Gaslight Anthem. Not only is the group an exact copy of the Boss, but Brian Fallon and gang are also from New Jersey, and the lead singer(Fallon) sounds exactly like Springsteen. The “Born to Run” hit-maker actually toured with Gaslight after seeing the distinct similarity in their music. As you may know, this was the defining moment of Gaslight's career. The boss himself gave credibility to this group whose life bread is recreating the very sounds that the heartland rocker made famous. Since there’s nothing wrong with that, and any fan of theirs would agree with me, Gaslight Anthem took it upon themselves to sound like Bruce Springsteen on every single album they've made. Since their debut, the group has been recreating the sounds, style, and vocals of the Boss. Now it's time for a change in pace though, because it's kind of getting old.

Yet, that won’t happen with Gaslight Anthem, so the band's leader, Fallon, has taken his efforts towards a solo career. It makes sense that he would do this. Why would Fallon quit making the kind of music that Springsteen fans want to hear? He wouldn't. Yet, his solo effort doesn't differentiate much from his main project. The guitarist's latest LP is Elsie, and the difference from his main project is in the lack of his ladder group's punk heavy influences. Like Gaslight, the songs still sound similar to a Boss record, but it's more of an acoustic rendition instead. It’s missing the higher tempo punk tendencies that Gaslight Anthem is known for, but keeping up with that simple change in pace makes this effort worthwhile.

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2) The Rapture In The Grace Of Your Love The Rapture is a group that takes their sound to an entirely different height than most other post-punk revival groups. Not only does the New York City quartet incorporate indie rock, acid house and other electronica sound scapes into their music, they’ve also worked with some of the most profound producers in the music industry. Danger Mouse and Paul Epworth used their auteur style of production to push The Rapture's sophomore debut Pieces of the People We Love into new territories, while indie heavyweight producer James Murphy helped on their debut record, Echoes.

Rapture's style of music might not be for everyone, but with a background in production like theirs and a playful style that’s sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face; it’s kind of hard not to like at least one song by the NYC group. Their latest album, In The Grace Of Your Love, will hopefully continue their generous offering in beat heavy music with a playful spin. One can only hope, but it's likely The Rapture will pull through.


1) Grace Jones Hurricane What do you get when an immigrant from a small town in Jamaica moves to New York City and is taken in by Andy Warhol, appointed his next muse and given roles in movies like Conan the Destroyer alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger? You get Grace Jones. Not only is this artist the definition of an American dream, but she also tramples all over other immigrant success stories. Releasing over ten albums in the past thirty years, Grace has amassed a catalog of music that’s radically changed genres like new wave, dance pop, trip-hop and electronic music.

Where has she gone though? In the past nineteen years, Jones hasn’t released anything. The singer and songwriter took time off to adjust her life and get ready for her new set of endeavors. Jones' next album is Hurricane, and it features a mix of sounds that could be described as alternative, electronic, and soul. Like her previous record Bulletproof Heart, which came out in 1989, the singer has taken another risk in what can only be described as a movement for which she helped create.

Overall, I'm very pleased with this week's records. A few of them may be offering material sure to please their fan bases, but a few others are trying something new. Whether they be Springsteen impersonators or former Fleetwood Mac leaders, all these bands and artists deserve a listen. I hope you'll give them a shot.