New Releases Coming From The National, Black Keys

There will be some hot new releases in the next two weeks.

The National is set to come out with High Violet on May 11. Select indie record stores that will be carrying the vinyl version will get one copy with a $50 gift certificate hidden inside. The lucky buyer that finds the certificate will be able to redeem it at the store. Pretty cool.

The Dead Weather also releases its sophomore release, Sea of Cowards, on 180-gram vinyl the same day.

The Black Keys is scheduled to deliver Brothers the following week on May 18. The vinyl release is said to be packaged with two LPs and a CD.

"Up In The Air" Soundtrack

We're really enjoying the Up In The Air soundtrack, which comes on clear blue vinyl and has different artwork than the CD.

The soundtrack hasn't gotten nearly as much notice as did the music from director Jason Reitman's other film, "Juno," but we like it even better.

Highlights include Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings' striking, soulful version of "This Land Is Your Land," which opens the album. There's also Dan Auerbach's fine "Goin' Home." Auerbach is one-half of The Black Keys. Elliott Smith, Sad Brad Smith, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young are also featured. Rolfe Kent did the score.

Perhaps, the best story is about the album's closing number. "Up In The Air" is written and performed by Kevin Renick, who had been laid off his job, not unlike some of the poor souls in the movie. He slipped Reitman a cassette of the song at one of the director's appearances. Reitman listened to it, liked it, and included it here.

Titus Andronicus: "The Monitor"

The latest Titus Andronicus album, The Monitor, has been out for a little while, but we just picked it up last week.

It's a terrific album on the XL label, and it comes in a beautifully packaged two-disc vinyl version. Named after a legendary Navy battleship, the album marries a loose Civil War theme with the frustrations of modern life. The gatefold opens to have a fantastic photo of Abraham Lincoln. Very cool. You gotta love an album that comes with a suggested reading list.

While the songs have plenty of historic references and quotes, there is nothing stilted about the music. The band flexes its rock muscles by way of guitars and drums while adding bagpipes, fiddle, and other instruments for a big, weighty sound.

Check out the album opener, "A More Perfect Union." The New Jersey band gives a nod to the state's favorite son, with singer Patrick Stickles spewing out the line, "Tramps like us, baby, we were born to die."