Music

This Week's Best New Music Releases - August 17, 2010

by Josh

Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs – God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise

Never has there been a story more fit for a biopic than that of Ray LaMontagne. Born in NewHampshire, his parents split up shortly after his birth. He and his mother moved from town to town,making it difficult for Ray to attend school, and even graduate. When he was old enough, he got a jobin a shoe factory. It was there that he heard “Treetop Flyer” by Stephen Stills, and he decided to have a career in music. And so far, he’s done quite well for himself. He released his debut album, “Trouble” in the fall of 2004, and has been releasing a new album every two years like clockwork. And if you enjoyed his first three, his forth will not disappoint. Label: RCA

Baby Eagle – Dog Weather

Steve Lambke is well known for his contributions to Canadian contemporary rock icons, The Constantines. But like many hard working musicians, Lambke also has a solo career under the name Baby Eagle. Released on You’ve Changed Records, a small label co-owned by Lambke along with Daniel Romano and Ian Kehoe of Attack In Black, Baby Eagle serves as an outlet for ideas that are less hard rock, and more simple, stripped of flare, and definitively lo-fi. And while it lacks the polish of The Constantines, this hodgepodge of ideas wouldn’t work any other way. It’s cluttered, and it’s fantastic. Label: You’ve Changed

Lissie – Catching A Tiger

Who is Lissie? To some, Lissie is the girl who did that song “All My Life” that was featured on television shows “The O.C.”, “House”, “Veronica Mars”. To others, she’s known for her connection to Band Of Horses – her debut EP was produced by their current bassist, Bill Reynolds. But to many, she is still unknown. So who is she? Well, she’s an American singer songwriter, who fits neatly in the grey area between folk rock and alt country. It’s the kind of album you expect to see on the counter of a Starbucks, not because it’s bad, but because it is a safe choice. A John Mayer fan might be intrigued by it, but then again, so might a fan of Neko Case. Label: Columbia

Sweet Thing – Sweet Thing

So who is Sweet Thing? After listening to the record, I’m almost tempted to say “see Lissie”. Sweet Thing is a well packaged and well manicured Toronto based pop-rock band. If one wanted to be superficial, it could be easily dismissed as big shiny fluff. But these boys are talented. Their influences are as plentiful as they are diverse, and all are shown on this album. They’re a band on the verge, and they’re actually good! It’s an album of short, well-executed, pop-rock songs – plain and simple. Label: EMI