2008 Summer Music Preview

School is finally out, the humidity is heating up, and the fireworks have been smuggled in for the holiday barbeque throwdown. While you might be enjoying this lovely annual sabbatical sitting comfortably with a cold brew in one hand and your iPod in the other, the music biz is abuzz with new releases and live events that will keep you jammin’ through the summer months and beyond.

We’re covering all the bases, and have found exciting new releases in almost every genre to fill your summer soundtrack playlists. The hottest artists are prepping the next big summer jam, while old favorites return to give ‘em a run for the money. Whether it’s the highly-anticipated new tracks from T.I. or the beach-friendly melodies of Brian Wilson, there is something for everyone this season.

Are you still trying to decide on what big summer tours to check out? Take your pick; everyone is out on the road this year, and we mean everyone. Looking for a little adventure? We have scoped out some of the biggest, exciting destination festivals nationwide. It’s no longer a toss-up between Lollapalooza or Austin City Limits anymore. The festival circuit has expanded into a juggernaut this year, with the annual Ozzfest taking root in Dallas, and newcomers like All Points West, Rothbury, and the Mile High Music Fest. How will you spend your summer vacation? The choice is all yours; we just happen to be putting the guide at your fingertips.      

Album Releases

Alkaline Trio – Agony and Irony (Epic)
Originally slated to be put out by V2 Records, “Agony and Irony” was supposed to be the album that finally introduced this massively talented indie pop/punk trio to the masses. V2’s implosion gave the band a little more time to work on the songs and now Epic gets the pleasure of launching these Chicago natives to superstardom. For those who’ve never heard of Alkaline Trio, they sound like the best parts of Smoking Popes and The Cramps.   (July 1)

G-Unit- Terminate on Sight

A 50 Cent crew without controversy is like a July 4th weekend without Will Smith. With Young Buck’s ouster from the Unit just months before this release, the trio of 50, Tony Yayo and witty Lloyd Banks has had plenty to talk about in interviews. But now all the talk about break-ups and beefs is sounding pretty old. We’d sure like to hear what the recording experience was like with Timbaland, Swizz Beatz and Dr. Dre. (July 1)

Los Lonely Boys – Forgiven (Sony)

How far is “Heaven” from Los Lonely Boys? The brotherly harmonies over the blues-based guitar lines of leadoff single “Staying With Me” would indicate it is not that far at all. On their third release, the Garza brothers bring Steve Jordan to the helm as producer, the same man who brought balance between John Mayer’s sensitive songwriting and ferocious guitar chops on ‘Continuum’. Also included is a ripping cover of Spencer Davis Group’s “I’m A Man”. (July 1)

Beck - Modern Guilt (Interscope)

The stakes aren’t very high for Beck Hansen—although his poptastic hip-hop sensibility is long forgotten, he did so well in the pre-Internet era that he can afford to toil away in relative obscurity. Indeed, he probably peaked a dozen years ago and 2006’s The Information was so inconsequential that the alternative generation now is officially once removed from hipsterdom. That’s a long way of saying that Modern Guilt will probably be an excellent platter of adventuresome, genre-bending style grooves offered to an aging army of fans. (July 8)

John Hiatt – Same Old Man (New West Records)

Now in his 50’s, Hiatt has penned (and self-produced) an album that will stand toe to toe with such career highlights as the classic ‘Bring the Family’ album. With ripe cuts like “Cherry Red” and “Ride My Pony” circulating regularly on the Americana satellite radio stations, it is certain that fans of his trademark, “down home” delivery will be more than satisfied to here from this same old man once again. (July 8)

Melvins – Nude With Boots (Ipecac)
You’ve got to give the Melvins credit for endurance. More than 20 years after this post punk band turned in their debut on the eve of grunge’s first wave, the band is still around.  That’s more than can be said for peers like Soundgarden and Screaming Trees.  “Nude With Boots,” the group’s 20th or so album promises pretty much more the same template that has managed to keep them relevant for years: Sabbath-worshipping, sludge-heavy riffs delivered in slow motion.  The band plans to head out onto the road shortly after “Nude With Boots” comes out.  (July 8)

Dr. Dog - Fate (Park the Van)

Philadelphia’s indie pop band heroes in waiting, Dr. Dog, are on the verge of shedding the tag of the indie world’s best kept secret.  If their last record is any indication of where they are headed musically, “Fate,” their fifth record, promises to bring the band a much larger following. With an almost compulsive devotion to 60’s pop masters like The Byrds and The Beach Boys, Dr. Dog offer intelligent pop music to win over the masses, with enough carefree energy to still appeal to the indie kids. (July 15)

The Hold Steady - Stay Positive (Vagrant)

Brooklyn-by-way-of-Minnepolis is a long way to go, but The Hold Steady have gotten better along the way. Stay Positive is more of the same Replacements-meets-Springsteen four-on-the-floor rocking, and singer Craig Finn continues to cement his reputation as one of the best lyricists of the day. However, the classic rock format seems a little bit limiting, or at least in the context of a great indie rock band, a tad tidy.  (July 15)

Nas- Untitled

Going with the “each time you say it, the word loses its venom” philosophy, Nas intended on this album being called Nigga. But once shot-calling outlets like Wal-Mart said they wouldn’t put it on shelves without a name change, Nas conceded. Thankfully, the Queens MC hasn’t altered the goal of this being his most politically-charged release to date. Polow Da Don and Cool & Dre help uplift the people with their production. (July 15)

Paul Weller – 22 Dreams (Yep Roc)

Now nine albums into a lauded solo career, the legendary frontman of the Jam turns chameleon as he toys with numerous genres and styles. With 21 tracks, ’22 Dreams’ proves to be a very wide canvas in scope. Elements of Weller’s rock roots mingle with soul, electronica, and even spoken word. Helping with these broad strokes of fancy is an impressive roster of friends like Noel Gallagher (Oasis) and Graham Coxon (Blur). (July 22)

The Game- LAX

It’s funny that The Game would name his album LAX. Look at the list of guests and producers on the CD. The MC had to fly across the map twice to put it all together. The South (Ludacris, Lil Wayne), Midwest (Common, Kanye West) and East Coast (Raekwon, Fat Joe, Nas) all get love. But anyone who’s ever heard the rapper’s gruffy tone knows where his allegiance lies. If you don’t, Cali representers Keyshia Cole and Ice Cube clear things up. (July 22)

Buddy Guy – Skin Deep (Silvertone/Zomba)

The title says it all; below the surface of our skin, we are all the same. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Buddy Guy lovingly proves it with a blues record that will be sure to get everyone moving. Of course, with a track record and trophy case like Buddy has, you don’t have to take my word for it. Collaborations abound, as Buddy plugs in and jams out with old friends, like Eric Clapton, as well as new blood, like pedal-steel wizard Robert Randolph and slide virtuoso Derek Trucks. Such pairings will make for a soul-stirring experience lovingly crafted by one of our greatest living blues legends. (July 22)

Young Jeezy- The Recession

Slick Pulla and Blood Raw are relatively new to the music scene. Akon, T-Pain and Kanye aren’t. The cool thing about Jeezy is that he gives those in both category equal time to shine. We’re guessing the reason the man’s so confident because he knows, no matter who slips, he can just come in with a greasy metaphor or sharp ad lib and make it all better. It probably helps too that Toomp, Jazze Pha and some cat named Enimen are behind the gloomy boards. (July 29)

Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst  (Merge)

Working under his own name for the first time, the Bright Eyes frontman headed down to Mexico with a crack group of sidemen (including rising indie stars Nik Freitas and Taylor Hollingsworth) he calls the Mystic Valley Band to record his Merge Records debut. The name and label may be different, but the music is still classic Conor, ranging from pastoral folk to ramshackle country-rock.  (August 5)

Hawthorne Heights – Fragile Future (Victory Records)

In the wake of the 2007 death of guitarist Casey Calvert, the Ohio rockers reemerge as a four-piece for their latest album. While Calvert’s guttural screams are noticeably absent, the Height’s trademark energy refuses to dwindle. Vocalist JT Woodruff turns in some of the most emotional lyrical deliveries in the bands catalog. With a slot on the Projekt Revolution Tour this summer, Hawthorne Heights fans are certain to get a sampling of new tracks like “Rescue Me” before the finished album drops. (August 5)

Randy Newman - Harps and Angels (Nonesuch)
Hard to believe it’s been almost a full decade since Randy Newman last put out a record.  One of the greatest satirical writers (in any form) this country has ever nurtured, you’d be hard pressed to find a modern contemporary of Newman’s who can delivery the same sharp wit and lyrical insightfulness in a three minute piano ditty.  If his latest online only single, “A Few Words in Defense of Our Country,” is any indication, Newman is as relevant as always.  With two full terms of the Bush administration to use as fodder, I’m surprised he was able to keep this latest album to a single CD.  (August 5)

Ne-Yo- Year of the Gentleman

R&B spats are generally silly sideshows nobody takes terribly serious. But apparently, this current spat between Ne-Yo and Chris Brown, one-time friends/present fighters for the “runner-up to Usher” crown, is serious. Ne-Yo’s fierce diss rap –yep, rap!- is all over the web. Still, the crooner’s best strategy to shut up the opposition might just be dropping a third album of sexy bellows (“Closer”), strong beats (Timbaland, Kanye, Teddy Riley) and a supposed visit from Beyonce. (August 5)

T.I.- Paper Trail

Weapons possession will send T.I. to the slammer. It kinda makes sense then that the Atlanta talent goes out blazin’ with this 6th studio album. “No Matter What” was the first song to drop and if its words of redemption and retribution are of any indication of what to expect, pending jail time has left dude quite reflective. A new child and a steady stream of industry beefs ought to provide him even more to rap about atop thumpers from DJ Toomp, Danja and J.R. Rotem. (August 12)

The Dandy Warhols - Earth to the Dandy Warhols (World’s Fair)

As the Dandy Warhols have retained more and more control of their music, they’ve let their experimental tendencies become indulgences. Anyone who thought that 2005’s Odditorium or Warlords From Mars was a serious misstep is going to file this release in the same category. More and more, the Warhols seem unable to find a common ground between pop and studio-induced pabulum, which was something that their earlier albums succeeded so greatly at. (August 19)

Slipknot – All Hope Is Gone (Roadrunner Records)

Look past the masks and enigmatic nature of this nine-piece metal powerhouse and you will find ferocity at its finest. This time around, the band has enlisted Evanescence producer Dave Fortman to concentrate the high-volume energy into insightful, fierce portraits of broken politics and fear mongering. Added to this, vocalist Corey Taylor has mentioned the inclusion of more melodic compositions, expanding their sound with even a little piano. The title track has been leaked via the label’s website, and it is a good appetizer for the mayhem to come. (August 26)

Brian Wilson - That Lucky Old Sun (Capitol)

There was loads of pre-publicity buzz for Brian Wilson’s last record of new(ish) material, the decades in gestation “SMiLE.” And for good reason, it was a phenomenal record.  That makes the anticipation over “That Lucky Old Sun” that much greater.  Add to hype, the fact that he is back on Capitol Records, the label that brought The Beach Boys to the world. Critics and fans are waiting to see if this new record could possibly be as good as “SMiLE” or will be closer in vein to the mediocre 2004 record “Gettin’ In Over My Head.”   (September 2)

Calexico - Carried To Dust (Touch & Go)

The increasingly expansive sound of last year’s The Shepherd’s Dog showed the influence collaborating with Calexico had on Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam. Now he returns the favor, guest starring on the veteran indie rock outfit’s follow-up to 2006’s Garden Ruin. The result is a more stripped-down exercise in restraint that evokes beautiful, at times haunting images of wide open spaces. (September 9)

Ray LaMontagne - Gossip In the Grain (RCA)

For his third album, this notoriously shy singer-songwriter and producer/multi-instrumentalist Ethan Johns decided to collaborate with others for the first time, including two members of his touring band and fellow tunesmith Leona Naess. The resulting songs run the Americana gamut, from railroad blues and melancholy folk to back porch country and his trademark plaintive balladry. (September 9)

James - Hey Ma (Decca)

You remember them right? They wrote that song about only coming when she’s on top. Though many lost touch with the band shortly after “Laid,” James went on to turn out a handful of great albums, including a stellar live double record, but like every other British pop band they remained heroes at home and little more than footnotes in the U.S. But, with 90’s bands finally getting their 15 more minutes of fame over here, thanks to Gen X nostalgia, James has a chance to remind the world that they were, in fact, a very good band at the time and, by the way, they’re still around. (September 16)

Tours/Festivals

Rothbury Festival – Rothbury, Michigan (July 3 – 6)

If you are looking for a new July 4 weekend event, and you couldn’t get to Willie Nelson’s annual picnic, you can always head north. In its inaugural year, Rothbury offers a line-up of live fan favorites (Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, 311, Primus, Gov’t Mule) that will be certain to appeal to any festival fan looking for another spot to party. Recently added to the Independence Day festivities, an intimate, solo-acoustic set from Phish frontman Trey Anastasio will be one of the highlights of the weekend.

Pitchfork Music Festival – Chicago, IL (July 18 - 20)

Once you get past the fact that much of Pitchfork’s content is overwritten, overwrought, and overexposed, you see that the website is does what it does pretty well. In other words, while it suffers as a literary journal, it makes up for its dismaying lack of erudition with a whole lot of passion. It’s thus no surprise that it also curates one of the better summer festivals out there: The Hold Steady, Vampire Weekend, Elf Power, Spoon, Les Savy Fav, Public Enemy, Sebadoh, Mission of Burma, and a couple dozen other offerings that will sure to please the indie hipsters. Add in the fact that it’s located in the middle of the country and in the middle of a great city, and its popularity is assured.

Mile High Music Festival – Denver, CO (July 19 & 20)

The Colorado skies will be shaking this July with headlining sets from Dave Matthews Band and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Five stages will hold as home for performances from a wide variety of acts. Festival circuit favorites moe., Tea Leaf Green, and the reunited Leftover Salmon will be in attendance. You can count on California’s Flogging Molly to deliver a great set of irish-influenced punk, while the almighty Roots and Lupe Fiasco proudly represent hip-hop.  

Rock the Bells Tour - (July 19-September 6, various cities)

A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory is one of the best albums in hip hop history. That CD’s final track, “Scenario,” is one of the rowdiest party records. If you’re ever given the chance to see the reunited trio deliver the anthem live, take advantage. Sadly, Rock the Bells isn’t coming to the A (Miami and Baltimore are your closest bets), but a line-up of Tribe, The Pharcyde, Mos Def, Nas, Rakim, Meth & Red, De La Soul and Ghostface makes filling up the ride totally worth it.

Lollapalooza – Chicago, IL (August 1 - 3)

Although the lineup (The Black Lips, The Black Keys, Cat Power, Duffy, Bloc Party, Radiohead, Jeff Tweedy, etc.) and overall festival vibe is solid, there’s something about the brand that seems absolutely tired. The original Lollas—yep, nearly 15 years ago—were a celebratory burst of youth culture, and the festival’s intent on regaining its lost status often comes off like a ploy for cash. After all, it used to be a traveling festival that rivaled something P.T. Barnum would have put on, and now it seems like Pepsi to Pitchfork’s Coke. Even worse, it rolls into town only a couple of weeks after Pitchfork has left Chicago a muddy mess. Couldn’t they have picked a different city this year?

Newport Folk Festival- Newport, Rhode Island (August 1-3)

Now in its 49th year, this influential folk fest has assembled an impressive, eclectic lineup that includes classic rockers such as Brian Wilson and Jimmy Buffett, weed-friendly acts such as the Black Crowes and Stephen & Damian Marley, alt-country acts including Gillian Welch and Brandi Carlile, and indie icons such as Calexico and Cat Power. And don’t miss mandolin maverick Jake Shimabukuro!

Ozzfest – Dallas, TX (August 8)

The ever-evolving Ozzfest, once one of the best attended traveling summer music festivals is making one last attempt to bring metal to the masses. Last year’s plan to have a first come, first serve free tour with sponsors shouldering the burden was panned by just about everyone involved. This year, taking a cue from Lollapalooza, Ozzfest is scrapping the road show and putting down stakes for a one-off show, planned in Dallas. The show boasts Ozzy (naturally) Metallica, Jonathan Davis of Korn, SevenDust, Shadows Fall and many more. Don’t forget your black t-shirt!

All Points West – Jersey City, New Jersey (August 8-10)

Once home to a railway station that took 19th and early 20th century immigrants to “All Points West,” Jersey City’s Liberty State Park is the site for this eclectic festival featuring big names such as Radiohead, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Trey Anastasio and The Roots, as well as lesser-known indie upstarts like Little Brother, Andrew Bird, Grizzly Bear, Sia, Animal Collective and Mates of State.

Virgin Festival – Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore  (August 9-10)

With dates in Calgary and Toronto, this is rapidly emerging as one of North America’s biggest destination festivals. The talent lineup is ridiculous, including Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, Iggy & the Stooges, Foo Fighters, Wilco, Nine Inch Nails, Stone Temple Pilots, Shudder To Think, Lupe Fiasco, the Swell Season, Moby and many more. Kanye West is scheduled to appear, so bring your tomatoes and No-Doz…

Vans Warped Tour (through August 17, various cities)

One of the longest running traveling music fests, the teen-friendly Vans Warped Tour still remains one of the best deals going with tickets just over $25; not a bad deal considering the 100-plus bands on the bill at any given tour stop. Though there aren’t as many brilliant punk throw back bands as previous years (GBH, The Vandals and Pennywise are the only ones that have been announced so far), there are still plenty of solid pop punk bands like Reliant K, Ludo and Angels & Airwaves, along plenty of scream-o/metal-core bands like As I Lay Dying and From First To Last. For those looking for a guaranteed solid set, be sure to catch The Bouncing Souls, Motion City Soundtrack and Against Me!, all bands incapable of putting on a bad show. 

Projekt Revolution Tour (through August 24, various cities)

A vanity tour for mainstays Linkin Park, the Projekt Revolution Tour has been making the rounds since 2002 (with a couple years off here and there). This year, Chris Cornell, The Bravery and Ashes Divide join Linkin Park on the main stage, with Atreyu, Hawthorne Heights, Armor for Sleep, 10 Years and Street Drum Corps, putting in time on the smaller stage. Rumor has it Busta Rhymes will be stopping in for some shows along they way, as well.

Bumbershoot – Seattle, WA (August 30 - September 1)

Though always trailing Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo in terms of press clippings, this annual alt rock music fest, one of the longest running in the country, quietly pulls an amazing line up year after year. This year’s diverse roster includes !!!, Band of Horses, Flobots, Jakob Dylan, John Vanderslice, Lucinda Williams, M. Ward, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Nada Surf, Neko Case, The Offspring, Old 97s, The Walkmen, Stone Temple Pilots, T.I. and The Whigs, among many, many more.  A maze of large and small indoor and outdoor venues, the festival also features comedians, artists, dancers and filmmakers, all competing for your attention.

Cruefest (Thru August 31, Various Cities)

Bringing the mayhem to the road, Motley Crue headlines their first annual touring festival. Also featured in the line-up is “Crazy Bitch” hit makers Buckcherry, Grammy-nominated Papa Roach, Trapt, and Sixx:AM, Crue bassist Nikki Sixx’s recently successful side-project. Crue and promoters Live Nation promise this to be a rebirth of the touring rock festival.

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