Once again, this week’s new releases are pretty crappy. I’m not a fan of Bloc Party [Physical Form and iTunes release] and I don’t care enough about the Kaiser Chiefs’ to buy their album. Last week the market was flooded with Christmas albums. This week the focus is on reissues, greatest hits and vinyl releases from The Band, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Marvin Gaye, Herbie Hancock, Hank Williams Jr., Jimi Hendrix and Wings.

One album that I’m excited about is Ryan Adams and The Cardinals, Cardinology. I have not read or heard anything about the it. I will find out tomorrow whether or not my excitement was warranted.

Download:
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – Cardinology

Pretty crappy week for new releases, unless you are into Kenny Chesney or Christmas CDs. I didn’t get the memo, apparently 10/21 is D-Day for Santa albums. Aaron Neville, Boyz II Men, Burl Ives (RIP), Diana Krall, Ella Fitzgerald (RIP), Jimmy Buffet (I bet this one is a winner), Louis Armstrong (RIP), Lynyrd Skynyrd (not sure Ronnie would sign off on this), Moody Blues, Stevie Wonder, Tobey Keith (A Redneck Christmas) and The Temptations are all capitalizing on suckers. As far as I’m concerned “Christmas In Hollis” is all you need for the holidays.

In addition to being extremely talented, Jolie Holland must be cool if she hangs out with Stuart Bogie. I love that guy.

Mark Farina = Smooth operator.

Brett Dennen is a mix of Tracy Chapman, Amos Lee and Damien Rice. He’s playing @ The Hotel Cafe on November 7th (Sold Out-check Craigslist).

I think that Of Montreal is overrated. The best of this week’s releases are listed below.

Download:
Brett Dennen – Hope for the Hopeless (iTunes)
Jolie Holland – The Living and the Dead (iTunes)
Mark Farina – Mushroom Jazz, Vol. 6 (Amazon)
Run-DMC – Ultimate Run-DMC (iTunes)

If you download or buy any CD’s in October, make sure it’s Ray LaMontagne’s Gossip In the Grain. I downloaded the album a couple hours ago and I love it. Keep in mind that I-tunes pulls a bait and switch with the release; you have to buy the entire album to get the live tracks. Bullshit move, but if Ray makes $$ off of it then it’s cool.

Download/Buy:
The Herbaliser – Can’t Help This Feeling (iTunes)
Keane – Perfect Symmetry (iTunes)
Ray LaMontagne – Gossip In the Grain (iTunes)
War – Greatest Hits Live [Amazon]
Gomez Bring It On -10th Anniversary (Buy)
Lucinda Williams – Little Honey (Amazon)
Powderfinger- Dream Days At The Hotel Existence (Buy)

Download From iTunes or Buy From Insound:
Bob Dylan: Tell Tale Signs: the Bootleg Series Vol. 8 (Insound)
Castanets: City of Refuge (Insound)
Deerhoof – Offend Maggie (iTunes)
Department of Eagles – In Ear Park (iTunes)
Juana Molina: Un Dia (Insound)
Lou Reed – Berlin: Live At St. Ann’s Warehouse (iTunes)
Wu-Tang Clan: Soundtracks From the Shaolin Temple (CD Universe)