Ahh, a new month, which brings us new music. And this week is certainly one of different varieties. New music this week from Trace Adkins, O.A.R., and Nekromantix. Yeah. Woot woot variety!
Trace Adkins – “Proud To Be Here”
Country legend…yes, I said legend, is bringing upon us his 10th studio album in 15 years. Sure, the first single, titled “Just Fishin'” may not be as outlaw-y as such classics as “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” or “Ladies Love Country Boys,” but hey, what is? It’s Trace Adkins, and that’s all you need to know. The deluxe edition of Proud To Be Here features a duet with Blake Shelton, called “If I Was a Woman,” which sounds blatantly outright hilarious, and I’m hoping it becomes a single on its own.
Nekromantix – “What Happens in Hell, Stays in Hell”
PSYCHOBILLY!!! Yes! Awesome! I’m totally marking out, bro! Ahem…let me redeem myself. Ok, back to normal. Nekromantix, and psychobilly are rather unknown to the public. It’s pretty much what you get when you mix the Stray Cats with Slayer. Awesome combined with awesome, right? Bassist and vocalist, and founder of Nekromantix, Kim Nekroman, is known for playing a bass he personally made from a child sized coffin. Pretty much sums up psychobilly. But onto this new album. Songs like “Bats in My Pants” and “MonsterBait” are surely songs adults want their kids listening to. The title track “What Happens in Hell, Stays in Hell” has me shaking my laptop by tapping my leg to it. If you want something new, something you might not know about, or just want something none of your friends know about, get this album.
O.A.R. – “King”
Of A Revolution (might as well get it out of the way now) is a very popular and well-known rock band, hailing from Rockville, Maryland. Their first single from the album, “Heaven,” sounds exactly like it’ll impact mostly pop stations. It’s easy to see why high school girls are big fans of this. King is the seventh album from O.A.R., and features 16 whole songs. That’s a lot. If you get the deluxe edition, you get four more AND a bonus DVD! Surely pick this up if you’re a fan of pop rock.
Keb’ Mo’ – “The Reflection”
It’s good to see good old fashioned blues in 2011. Keb’ Mo’, who I had never even heard of until today, has won Grammy’s for his work. That right there should tell you how good he is. His real name is Kevin Moore, and he’s done everything. He’s been in TV shows, he’s been in movies, he makes music, participates in political activities, everything. He will be going out on his ‘The Reflection Tour’ in support of the album, starting August 4th in Beaver Creek, Colorado and ending in Helena, Arkansas. Truly, based on the first single “The Whole Enchilada,” this album will be a fantastic one.
Fountains of Wayne – “Sky Full of Holes”
“Power pop” band Fountains of Wayne are back with this new album. Currently out to prove they’re more than singing about a MILF (yeah…they’re the “Stacy’s Mom” guys), the lead single “Someone’s Gonna Break Your Heart” could potentially do just that. As well as a new effort, the band has a unique event going on every Thursday on their website. Once a week, they go to YouTube and scour the video-sharing site for fans of theirs that post their own clips of themselves covereing FoW tunes. They call it ‘FoW Cover(ed) Thursday.’ Really interesting, and if you’re a fan of the band, go out and check the new album out.
This week is done! Remember kids, go out to your local RECORD STORES and get these albums. No, not your local Best Buy, not your local Wal-Mart, your local RECORD STORE. They deserve your money much more than those two stores I mentioned. They have enough. Record stores don’t. Goodnight, and have a pleasant tomorrow.