Given the pre-Xmas rush of new releases, it's no surprise that this
year hasn't seen a lot of new releases so far. The drought is now
breaking and there's a few things of interest afoot.
Alanis Morissette
has just released her third studio effort 'Under Rug Swept'. Fans of the
last two will be pleased to know that while Glen Ballard is not producing
or co-writing this time (Alanis is covering all that) it sounds much the
same as usual with the same forthright approach to lyrics and the same
hook-heavy approach to the music. The melodically prickly Declan MacManus
aka
Elvis Costello will release his new album 'When I Was Cruel' on April 23.
Another legend, Tom Waits, is set to fascinate us more than usual by
releasing not one but two albums on May 7: 'Alice' and 'Blood Money'. The
two releases are
based on two theatre pieces that Waits and collaborator/wife
Kathleen Brennan contributed music to. One of my favourite bands
Del Amitri
will be releasing their 6th studio album on April 8. Hopefully the album
will sound better than it's title: 'Can You Do Me Good?'. And finally for now,
Chris Isaak has released another bunch
of new songs 'Always Got Tonight'.
His last one wasn't the greatest (it even had a Diane Warren co-write) but
his 'Forever Blue' remains a bit of a classic so I guess I'll have to buy
this one as well.
Review: Alanis Morissette - Billboard -
Rolling Stone
