Springsteen, Others Announce Releases

Bruce Springsteen announced this week that he will release Wrecking Ball on March 16.

Featuring 11 new songs, his 17th studio album looks to hit on today’s social and political themes. It is produced by Ron Aniello with Springsteen and executive producer Jon Landau.

Wrecking Ball is one of the most anticipated albums coming out this year, but there are several other first-quarter releases worth noting:


Craig Finn from The Hold Steady releases his solo album, Clear Heart Full Eyes, on Jan. 24.

Kathleen Edwards releases her fourth album, Voyageur, on Jan. 24. It has been a while since we’ve heard from Edwards, but she’s back in a big way with the new album and upcoming tour. Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) co-produced the album.

Leonard Cohen delivers Old Ideas on Jan. 31. It received four-and-a-half stars from Rolling Stone.

Imperial Teen, a favorite with its boy-girl vocals, comes out with Feel The Sound on Jan. 31.

Sleigh Bells’ Reign of Terror hits the streets Feb. 21.

The Decemberists will release We All Raise Our Voices To The Air (Live Songs 04.11-08.11) on March 13.

The Shins finally return with Port Of Morrow on March 20.

PJ 20 Vinyl News

When Pearl Jam 20 came out in September, I was disappointed, crushed even, there wasn't a vinyl release. It was totally unlike the band not to have a vinyl version of a new album. Pearl Jam has always been good about releasing their material on LP and creating fantastic packages.

Finally, it looks like my wishes are being granted, and we will see PJ20 on beautiful vinyl.

Amazon has begun taking pre-orders for the three-LP package, which the Web site says will be released Dec. 13. Amazon's price is $54.89 as of today.

Pearl Jam's own Ten Club quickly sold out of copies.

Leonard Cohen Announces New Album

Leonard Cohen has announced that his much-anticipated album Old Ideas will hit the streets Jan. 31, 2012.
It's the master's first studio album in about seven years.

Consisting of 10 new songs, Old Ideas poetically addresses some of the most profound questions of human existence -- spirituality, love, sexuality, loss and death, according to the announcement.

The album is on Cohen's long-time label, Columbia. It will be released on 180-gram vinyl. There's also a collector's package that includes the vinyl plus a lithograph limited to 5,500. The price is $63.99.

Here's the tracklist:

Going Home
Amen
Show Me The Place
The Darkness
Anyhow
Crazy To Love You
Come Healing
Banjo
Lullaby
Different Sides

Black Friday Preview

I hope everyone is ready for Black Friday. It's a great day to get to your indie record store and pick up some special releases.

Here's a list from the good folks at Record Store Day.

I have my eye on the Ryan Adams, Black Keys, and Craig Finn singles.

Kate Bush's new album, 50 Words For Snow, was supposed to come out around the beginning of the week, but her Web site reports that there were some short delays. Hopefully, it will be out to pick up on Black Friday.

Old Song of the Year

Twenty years after Bonnie Raitt recorded “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” the song is proving its timelessness.

The song has been out in force this year, with Bon Iver releasing it as the B-side of the “Calgary” single. Adele covered the song at the iTunes Festival London 2011, and it's available on iTunes. And, jazz artist Jacqui Naylor includes the number on her latest album, Lucky Girl. All are very good versions.

Written by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin, the song is still a killer. I think it's the line, "Turn down these voices inside me head."

Black Keys Black Friday News

The Black Keys are proving to be the right antidote for the graying weather.

In an earlier post, we noted that the new album, El Camino, comes out Dec. 6.

But vinyl fans can get their hands on a special 12-inch of the single "Lonely Boy" on Nov. 25. The single release is part of Record Store Day's "Back to Black" Friday. The limited-edition single will be at participating indie music retailers. Both the lead track and the B-side, "Run Right Back," are featured El Camino.

Until then, check out the "Lonely Boy" video. The man's got some moves...

Black Keys Album Due in December

The Black Keys announced today that they will release their new album, El Camino, on Dec. 6.

Produced by Danger Mouse and The Black Keys, the 11-track album was recorded at singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound studio in the band’s new hometown of Nashville during the spring of 2011.

Auerbach describes the record as "more straight ahead rock and roll—raw, driving, and back to basics.”

Here's the track list:
1. Lonely Boy
2. Dead and Gone
3. Gold on the Ceiling
4. Little Black Submarines
5. Money Maker
6. Run Right Back
7. Sister
8. Hell of a Season
9. Stop Stop
10. Nova Baby
11. Mind Eraser