Which Fire Is The Fire That Calls You Out Into The Light?

Yesterday was what we'd call in the Too Poppy universe Super Tuesday. My checking account certainly couldn't keep up with the must-own new releases so I started off with The Posies' Blood/Candy (iTunes, Amazon MP3) and Gin Blossoms' No Chocolate Cake (iTunes, Amazon MP3). Both bands have been with me for nearly two decades now so they've earned it. After one listen, Blood/Candy is as stellar as I was hoping after I first heard Licenses to Hide. Suffice it to say that I think this is their best album since Frosting on the Beater - and every album since has been pretty damn good by most standards. On the other hand, after one listen I think No Chocolate Cake could've been called No Killer Tune. It's a nice but very safe Gin Blossoms album. I mostly like when they put away their mid-tempo AC tunes and turn on the power pop juice. So far I think this one could use more rocking out.

Only one listen each for both though so my thoughts could change. Gin Blossoms could be a slow-grower - I hope so - and The Posies could wear thin quickly - I highly doubt that.

Other notable new releases...

Ben Folds & Nick Hornby - Lonely Avenue (iTunes, Amazon MP3)
Pete Yorn - Self-Titled (produced by Frank Black!) (iTunes, Amazon MP3)
Neil Young - Le Noise (produced by Daniel Lanois!) (iTunes, Amazon MP3)
Eric Clapton - Clapton (iTunes, Amazon MP3)
Phil Collins - Going Back - uh, no

Waste the Boring Days Away

Pete Yorn offers another free track from his upcoming self-titled, Frank-Black-produced album (available 9/28). Take a stroll back to your childhood in your Velcro Shoes!

MP3: Pete Yorn - Velcro Shoes (via Spin.com)

I Know You're Feeling In Control

Pete Yorn's new self-titled album comes out September 28. Download a Petty-esque freebie from it called Precious Stone. All you need to do is tweet it! No Twitter for you? Stream it via SoundCloud below.

Pete Yorn by Oedipus

MP3: Pete Yorn - Precious Stone

You Don't Relate to Me

The first video documenting Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johannson's collaborative musical effort is for the tune Relator and you can see it below if Yahoo! Music cooperates for a change. Both artists are sitting on a bed singing, but it's hardly seductive. It is in black and white, though. Arty.

The album is out September 15 and you can pre-order it from Amazon.com.

Just When I Was Starting to Feel Ok

Call them He & Her if you will since She & Him is already taken - Pete Yorn has hooked up with Scarlett Johansson only to Break Up on September 8. The first single Relator is already available via iTunes or streaming at their site here and definitely carries a similar vibe to what M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel did so well last year. What is it with these singer-songwriters and their lovely actresses with hard names to spell and a hankering for a music career?

Pre-order Break Up via Amazon.com

Yorn has his own album coming out June 23 called Back and Forth. And that's all I have to say about that.

Pre-order Back and Forth via Amazon.com

Convince Yourself That Everything is Alright

Pete Yorn's third studio album Nightcrawler is being released August 29. Check out the first single here or here or download here. Good. Not quite as great as most of the songs on his debut musicforthemorningafter. Nonetheless, he's a dependable and interesting songwriter and I'm anxious to hear the full album.