New Music Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Various Artists - The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty Soundtrack

New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Gym Class Heroes - The Papercut Chronicles II
• David Mead - Dudes
• Jason Reeves - Caged Birds Set Free
• Tegan & Sara - Get Along
• Various Artists - This Warm December: A Brushfire Holiday, Vol. 2
  
  

CD REVIEW: Various Artists "Gift Wrapped II: Snowed In"

Back again with another collection of great holiday tunes, Warner Bros. Records has released the second in their series of Christmas compilations. This time The Flaming Lips are back and they are joined by everyone from Devo and the Goo Goo Dolls to indie rockers Everest and Tegan & Sara. Covering the classics and showcasing original holiday tunes is the theme once again, as we are greeted with yet another compilation of holiday songs that is better than most of the holiday music we are forced to listen to in elevators, in shopping malls, and even on our own car radios. Warner Bros. Records has set themselves up to be true purveyors of fine holiday music, and hopefully this will become an annual treat.

CD REVIEW: Various Artists "Gift Wrapped: 20 Songs That Keep On Giving"

Holiday compilation CDs are always fun, and this collection takes a new spin on that classic idea. Warner Bros. Records put together a great collection of holiday tracks all in one spot for their fans. Featuring new songs and updated holiday classics, the album has inclusions by The Flaming Lips, Tyler Hilton, Relient K, Jeremy Lister, and even alternative rock superstars R.E.M. This is not your grandma's Christmas music, but it may be just what you need to get through the holiday season with your sanity. Might as well have bands you like singing the songs you're going to hear a thousand times anyway.

CD REVIEW: Various Artists "Yo Gabba Gabba: Music Is Awesome, Vol. 2"

Back with their second installment, the gang at Yo Gabba Gabba has put together another great collection of original tunes by the cast and their "Super Music Friends." This time Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Hot Hot Heat, and MGMT add their spin to some new kids tunes, and kids will recognize more of their favorite cast singalongs. Long car rides, trips to the doctor, and rainy afternoons inside will all get a huge relief with the broadcasting of this album, and kids will fall in love with some great indie rock bands in the process. Mom and dad can rest assured they won't be pulling their hair out while their children enjoy some music time with this CD.

CD REVIEW: Various Artists "Yo Gabba Gabba: Music Is Awesome"

Yo Gabba Gabba is not one of those kids shows that only kids can love. The thing that sets it apart from every other kids television program is that each episode features special guest appearance by well known celebrity personalities, as well as music by some of the best bands (indie and otherwise) in music. The bands showcase their fun side by performing a kids song in their own unique styles. This album combines some of those selections by bands such as The Shins, The Roots, Chromeo, and Money Mark with music sung by the lovable characters. Parents and kids will be able to enjoy this music together and the kids will surely grow up learning that great music doesn't have to come from the Disney Channel.

CD REVIEW: Various Artists "This Warm December: A Brushfire Holiday, Vol. 1"

This album is by far one of the best collections of Christmas music out there. Featuring a track from each of the artists on Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records, and two from Jack himself, the album boasts an incredible array of original, traditional, and covered Christmas music. The entire disc is mostly mellow, but its perfect for the season, even if the title suggests a lack of snow and the probability of no white Christmas.

CD REVIEW: Various Artists "Ten Out Of Tenn Christmas"

The Ten Out Of Tenn compilations are always full of great music by great artists from Nashville, Tennessee who don't always get the love they deserve for their talent and hard work. Well, the artists who brought us the stellar Vol. 2 of the collection have put together a very cool collection of Christmas music. Produced by K.S. Rhoads, one of the performers on the CD, each Ten Out Of Tenn, Vol. 2 artist contributed either an original Christmas song or their rendition of a Christmas favorite. Altogether, it's a pretty outstanding collection that is sure to keep you in the spirit of the season.

CD REVIEW: Various Artists "Solutions For Dreamers: Season 3"

The "Solutions For Dreamers" series from Oniric Records has been around for several years and has been both supporting independent music and some incredible non profit causes along the way. The third incarnation of the disc has been released to support the World Food Programme, an incredibly valiant organization with an equally incredible cause. The music contained within is by a wide variety of artists, some of which are established and others that are relatively new to the game, and styles from reggae to acoustic folk to indie rock. The Wailers (yes those Wailers) put forth an incredible new song and Chase McBride contributes his song "1937" from his debut EP. Marc B, J Radio (aka Merlo Podlewsky, bassist in Jack Johnson's band), Matt Jennings, and Matthew McAvene all contribute excellent new tracks that are welcome additions to their respective catalogues. Just as with the previous compilations, there are simple messages contained within the music and as interludes between the tracks. It's a great collection to download, not just for the awesome music, but for the incredible cause it supports.

CD REVIEW: "180° South" Soundtrack

Brushfire Records definitely knows how to do soundtracks. They aren't the traditional "music from and inspired by" type mixes, but rather they are mood setting and image conjuring compilations. This latest, not for a surf film, is a collection of tunes consisting mostly of new Ugly Casanova songs. Ugly Casanova is a side project of Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock with a little help from James Mercer, lead singer of The Shins and Broken Bells. Mercer also lends two tracks to the soundtrack, one is a cover of a Neil Young song. The other, an original instrumental, is the best instrumental inclusion on the album. Far and away, the best song on the album is Mason Jennings' new tune "Machines." It combines his incredible lyricism with his new found love for the electric guitar, and should have been included on his most recent album. Jack Johnson's cover of "Spring Wind" is excellent, as he finally decided to get into the studio and put it down to tape for the first time ever. Ugly Casanova impresses with "Here's To Now," "Wave Goodbye," and "Lay Me Down." Although the variety of styles on the album is limited, it's an outstanding soundtrack, with a heavy emphasis on indie rock and folk. Considering that the film is one of the year's best documentaries, the music keeps the film's adventure right at our fingertips.

CD REVIEW: Various Artists "Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey" Soundtrack

Kids movies are always fun. But what makes them outstanding is the music. When the music included in the movies is just as good as anything that parents would listen to on a regular basis that just makes enjoying the movie with your kids that much better. Jack Johnson took over musical duties in the original Curious George movie, but this time Carbon Leaf has taken the reins and delivered a successful collection of new and reinterpreted songs from their catalogue. The new songs "The Friendship Song" and "Walking In The Sun" are fun loving songs that are kid friendly and have all of the great elements of Carbon Leaf's signature Celtic rock style. Their revisitation of the songs "Life Less Ordinary" and "Let Your Troubles Roll By" mesh well with the vibe of the rest of the soundtrack and breathe new life into some of Carbon Leaf's best old songs. Beach Boy Brian Wilson also contributes a track and the album contains some non-Carbon Leaf instrumental compositions used throughout the movie. Kids music should always be fun, but it's best when the parents love it to. The Curious George franchise has managed to yet again provided us with another excellent compilation of tunes for kids and parents alike.

New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Griffin House - The Learner
• Marah - Life Is A Problem
• Robert Randolph & The Family Band - We Walk This Road
• The Roots - How I Got Over
• Sia - We Are Born
• Stars - The Five Ghosts
• Various Artists - 180° South Soundtrack