You Want It Too, I Want It Too

The All-American Rejects have a new album coming out on 12 July. You can preview their single, "Dirty Little Secret" on the media section of their web site. It didn't really hook me on the first listen, but it has potential.

Their self-titled debut album is full of sugary sweet power pop hooks. :-)

Does Love Buzz Because That's What It Does?

The Flaming Lips are buzz whores. They need to find a way to stay out of the collective music consciousness for maybe five minutes. Unfortunately, I'm adding to it. New DVD and a tribute cover of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody (too obvious - they should've gone for something more obscure) are on their way (and don't forget their new soundtrack song, their new album, their long-awaited goofy-ass movie, and their own line of lip balm). Actually, I don't know about the lip balm. Just sounds like something they might do being the buzz whores they are.

Give It To Me, Don't Give It Away

Call me crazy, but I thoroughly enjoyed Liz Phair's last album, which was her move toward a more poppy and produced sound (hence the criticism from everybody who wants her to continually rehash Exile in Guyville her whole career). I don't know, her self-titled album just made a great Summer of '03 soundtrack for me.

Thankfully, the unwarranted criticism hasn't stopped her from putting out a new album already. Billboard.com has all the details. It's due on October 4.

It's So Much More Subtle To Be the Silent Type

I hate streaming albums. Nonetheless, it is the only way to catch a listen of Michael Penn's new high-falutin' concept album Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947. I'm lazy so I've yet to take a listen. I'm sure it's good but I'm sure I won't get into it until it's sitting on my lil' iPod for a couple months and I remember that it's there. That's just how I am.

STREAM: Michael Penn - Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947

I'm Bored of Writing About Owsley

It's merely a single. So much drama. The new single from Owsley is now due to be released on iTunes on July 27. It better not suck.

Owsley Update

A new Owsley single was supposed to hit iTunes this week, but the grind and torture of the music industry got in its way and it has been pushed back to an uncertain date. So be it.

Posies Update

Sorry, just not in the mood to think of creative lyrical titles for today's posts.

Check out this new article from Billboard.com. Gives a brief but nice review of The Posies' career.

Why Don't You Write Your Own Song?

A recent posting on a Matthew Sweet e-mail list indicates he is currently working on an album of new material deemed "garage rock," as if that term meant anything anymore, and an album of 60s covers with former Bangle Susanna Hoffs. Interesting. As usual, I cannot wait to hear anything new from Sweet.

All Is Forgiven

Finally, an official online Jellyfish voice. Roger Manning has just launched his new site.

Last Crawl

Another new Posies song from their new album to check out. For lack of a better and more creative term to describe it on a Monday morning, it has quite a mature sound to it. Or, you might prefer it called a "torch song, Posies style" as a very intelligent man in the know has called it. Very nice.

MP3: The Posies - Last Crawl

To the Hopeless and the Strange

Evidently, there's more new music from Owsley coming out soon. This message is straight from the mailing list:

"It looks like the scheduled release date for the new single on iTunes is June 21st!"

It's All In My Mind

I've always wanted to love Teenage Fanclub. Reading a description of the band would lead me to believe they would quickly become one of my favorites. It's never happened. I tend to think most of their tunes just never ripen. They're great ideas with great hooks, but they never quite become songs. From what I've heard from their new CD, Man-Made, nothing has changed.

MP3: Teenage Fanclub - It's All In My Mind

Some Things in Life You Cannot Measure By Degrees

In case you've missed this: Michael Penn's new CD's release date has been pushed back to August 2, so don't go looking for it in stores this month. Mr. Hollywood Jr. 1947 is a concept album, something that usually sets off a severe allergic reaction in my ears, but with Penn, his talent is capable of pulling off something like this.

MP3: Michael Penn - Walter Reed

The Downside of Up

A previous post quickly mentions the new tune by The Posies, Conversations.

Upon first listen, I have to say I'm disappointed. The melody and instrumentation sounds promising at first - classic Posies. However, the song just doesn't deliver for me. I personally can't stand songs that feature the chorus repeated over and over again during about 90% of the song. It's like they found a good hook, some lyrics that fit it, but couldn't think of any more words. Ugh.

You Know It Don't Come Easy

All Music reviews Ringo Starr's new CD, Choose Love. What? Ringo Starr has a new CD? Sounds like it may be worth checking out.

There Has to be an Upside

You can always depend on The Posies.

MP3: The Posies - Conversations

Strange to Find the Calendar My Enemy

It's been a long time coming, but here's an update from Lapdog, featuring former members of Toad the Wet Sprocket. I appreciate their DIY approach, especially when their former collaborator Glen Phillips has become quite produced. I also appreciate the nice price on their new DVD. Not much content, but it's something.

MP3: Lapdog - See You Again

Sweet News

Matthew Sweet will cover Tom Petty for an homage to the great 80s teen movies. Hopefully it'll be better than his version of Flipper. Can't wait.

iPod News

A $50 Apple Store credit?! Count me in. Wonder how I can get my 3G iPod battery to fail...