Albums Out This Week: W/C 7th December 2009

It seems that late surprises are the order of the year in music. Just when we thought 2008 had come to a close we were gifted to hear the incendiary Mutyumu album, this year it's Junius.

Coming out of left field, the Junius boys have managed to surprise a fair amount of people with the latest album The Martyrdom of the Catastrophist. It is also very rude, completely ruins our gestating top 10 lists of the year.

Folk-rock also has a fairly impressive entry in the form of The Dutchess and the Duke, who managed to condense a fair amount of human misery into their album Sunset/Sunrise without ever letting it become maudlin or depressing.

Then for the poppers we have 30 Seconds to Mars. Not exactly beloved by all, but the sheer talent on display on their latest album is almost undeniable. Even if the "let the fans sing backing vocals" shtick may have gone a little too far. So, all in all there's something for almost everybody this week. How very unusual for a December. We were expecting nothing more than Aguilera's annual attempt to make money through another best of album.

Fireworks: All I Have to Offer Is My Own Confusion

Fresh from the Michael Moore capital of the world: Detroit, Michigan, Fireworks are one of the newest signings of Triple Crown Records, which places them amongst esteemed names as Hit the Lights and As Tall As Lions. Then they go and book a tour with New Found Glory next year. Oh well, somebody's got to support them on tour.

The Tennessee Boltsmokers: Vintage All American Dream

The only band name which would be more obviously American bluegrass would be something along the lines of 'Uncle or Daddy?'. Band member Mark McKinney remarks, "The idea for the record really started with the title track, which I wrote after spending a day at a flea market thumbing through old vinyl collections and browsing a few thrift shops for some snap shirts and jeans." Hey, if it works for Lady GaGa, it can work for them too.

Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound

Now approaching seventy years of age, Joan Baez has never stopped being an influential figure on the folk-rock scene. Still fiercly involved in the health of her nation, she winds controversial topics such as capital punishment, the Iraq war, gay rights, human rights, poverty and the fate of Iran into her songs, all dressed up with one hugely unique voice.

Clipse: Til the Casket Drops

Now on Columbia Records after being freed from the constraints of Britney Spears' label, Clipse are free to have another bash at bringing their highly-acclaimed brand of hip-hop to masses. Features production duties from The Neptunes and the usual array of star-studded guest spots including Kanye "Imma let you finish" West, Pharrell Williams, Yo Gotti and Cam'ron. Why are there no hip-hop stars called Jake, or Bob?

The Dutchess & the Duke: Sunset/Sunrise

Said to chronicle the male half of the duo (Jesse Lortz) as he acclimatises to marital bliss, a startlingly honest picture begins to emerge on the folk-duo's second album together. Occasionally approaches genius, the two weave a tangled narrative of love, loss, betrayal and heartbreak. Has there ever been anything more human?

Warpaint: Exquisite Corpse

Warpaint shouldeasily deserve some form of award for the release of this debut album, in the short time since CMJ the band have signed to Rough Trade, recorded a full-length and will be releasing the product this week. The quartet's psychedelic sound is set to storm the music scene over the next few months and after such a successful start, we have high expectations. 

Junius: Martyrdom Of A Catastrophist

Essentially a concept album concerning the life and works of Immanuel Velikovsky, figurehead of the Catastrophist movement, an idea that the Earth has been impacted by worldwide violent... err... catastrophes in the past. Under the bonnet though is an immensely creative sound pairing post-rock dynamics with stratospheric vocals to create something unique, immense and genuinely affecting.

Sleep Whale: Houseboat

Described as electro-acoustic trance, Sleep Whale are often misinterpreted for a much different sound, usually just trance. However, the Texas quartet sound nothing like the horrific sounds that come to mind when you say the word trance, we would describe them more as alternative and melodic electro-acoustic, or at least one of those. Either way; Houseboat will be imported from their American release this week and after the hype it received from our western friends, we're pretty sure this will be a decent listen. 

30 Seconds to Mars: This Is War

Jared Leto brings around his band for the long-awaited new album. Plagued by executive interference, the band used the album to reconnect with their fans by inviting them to record backing vocals for the entire album. Essentially a grand example of electro-pop-rock, Leto seems to be amongst the few Hollywood actors possessing more talent than ego.

Blakroc: Blakroc

Even if the word Hip-Hop makes you cringe like some of us here at SG this debut record from the newly formed Hip-Hop collective Blackroc is still worth every minute of your time. Formed by members of the prestigious Black Keys, Blackroc boasts the work of a few very important musicians most of whom have shaped the urban scene today, this is a rare occasion of which you should most definitely take advantage of. 

Comanichi: Crime of Love

Italian Folk Rock duo Comanichi released their first album back in '07, since then we've heard another two beautiful records through which we witnessed the inspiring vocals of Francesca Amati and the magnificent acoustics from Glauco Salvo. Crime Of Love will most probably barely see the light of day due to the minuscule amount of publicity Comanichi receive and after listening to some of their material we're sure you will agree when we say that they are severely under appreciated. 

Caitlin Rose: Dead Flowers

Nashville's Caitlin Rose tells stories of an evolving country. She speaks in a new generation of American twang and "Im-a-gonnas" about another generation of young American alcoholics falling in love at backyard weddings.