New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• ALO - Sounds Lik This
• Sean Bones - Buzzards Boy
• Keane - Strangeland
• Greg Laswell - Landline
• Silversun Pickups - Neck Of The Woods

CD REVIEW: Norah Jones "...Featuring Norah Jones"

Since before the start of her massively successful career (or at least since before her first album blew up and won a ton of Grammys) Norah Jones has been collaborating with some of her favorite musicians. Ranging from indie rock to reggae to hip hop to jazz, Norah Jones has not only shared a stage, but a studio, with tons of different and well known artists. Contained within this album, which is a compilation of previously recorded tracks, are collaborations with Ryan Adams, M. Ward, Charlie Hunter, Robert Randolph, Q-Tip, Talib Kweli, and Outkast. She has also included the work she did with legends such as Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, and Herbie Hancock. Some of the best songs included are her collaboration with indie rocker and reggae connoisseur, Sean Bones entitled "Turn Them," and her duet with Dave Grohl which was originally released on a Foo Fighters album. Norah Jones shows not only how big a fan of music she is, but how many fans of her that she has. All of these recordings are the product of Norah Jones hooking with with the best in their respective fields for collaborations that are extraordinary. Now, they are all able to be found in one place, which makes it all that much more awesome.

DVD REVIEW: "Wah Do Dem"

Indie rock musicians making independent films is not a common thing. "Wah Do Dem" is a thoroughly indie film featuring musicians Sean Bones and Norah Jones showing off their acting skills. Norah's character doesn't spend a lot of time on screen, but we know Norah can act from her other film appearances. Sean Bones' acting is a bit like real life. Throughout the entire movie it is as if you are watching an incredible artistic and well shot documentation of a real life Sean Bones vacation. The majority of the film takes place on a cruise ship from New York City to Jamaica, and finally in Jamaica. It chronicles a vacation of a young man who is forced to spend his tropical time all alone after his girlfriend dumps him before the big trip. Sean Bones' character (who is a musician) spend his entire time finding himself while taking in all that the trip has to offer. His time solo on the cruise ship shows off his awkwardness and allows his character to not only subtly mock the experience but to take in a bit of cruise life that is not always seen by the typical vacationer (he spends some time with the crew in 'crew only' areas of the ship. When in Jamaica he is robbed and spends the remainder of the movie lost, broken, and trying to get to the US Embasy in Kingston. The soundtrack is excellent featuring both Sean Bones and Norah Jones as well as MGMT, Yeasayer, Santigold, and some killer deep roots reggae from The Congos (who also appear in the film). The film has received critical praise and has rightfully won a handful of awards. It shows off life and leisure in a tropical paradise in a new image and brings a whole new take on adventure to the viewers of the film. It's a must see for anyone who wants to experience life and film in a new light.

CD REVIEW: Sean Bones "Rings"

It is becoming increasingly hard, in the music industry, to set yourself apart from the pack. As a member of the indie rock band Sam Champion, Sean Bones has been able to be part of some great musical moments. On his own, with this solo project, he has elevated his game to a new level. He has managed to combine his indie sound with authentic dancehall reggae rhythms and beats of Jamaica. Vampire Weekend is probably the nearest comparison that can be made to this album's sound, but it's less worldly and more centered on the sounds of real reggae. It's as if Bob Marley & The Wailers were an indie rock band! "Instigator" and "Dancehall" are the possibly the most authentic on the album, and transport your right to the heart of Jamaica. Another song that is drenched in sunshine is "Sugar In My Spoon." Norah Jones makes a guest vocal appearance on the album's closing track, a slower ballad-like song called "Turn Them." After such and incredibly successful solo debut, Sean Bones may not want to return to his day job. Hands down, this is one of the coolest sounding reggae albums in recent years.