Are you ready for Friday New Releases?  There are an absolute abundance of records today.  So many to choose from and where the heck do you begin.  I have more I want to hear than I have any week this year.  It is going to be busy non-stop music week.  I hope there is something for you.  The ones I want are in Blue and I can’t wait to get started!!!!

•   Colton Dixon – Identity – (Sparrow):  Colton Dixon has finally returned with a new album.  Colton is a Christian artist and he is a former American Idol Alum, but don’t let any of that scare you away.  He is an amazing talent.  This album is broken up into three parts about the spiritual journey of your Body, Mind & Spirit and should be very interesting.

•   James Blunt – The Afterlove – (Atlantic Records UK):  The fifth studio album from James Blunt drops today.  I have followed him since the beginning even after hearing “You’re Beautiful” way too many times.  He always delivers stellar songs and he has a unique voice that I enjoy over and over.

•   Art of Anarchy – The Madness – (Century Media):  Solo artist and Creed lead singer, Scott Stapp, is back with as the new lead singer for Art of Anarchy.  The band’s second album and first since the death of their former lead singer, Scott Weiland.  I guess they like lead singers name Scott…Anyway, this is going to be a stellar ROCK album.  After hearing the lead track “The Madness”, I high expectations for this album.  I actually love Scott Stapp and think he is a great choice for this band.  Be prepared to be blown away.

•   Steel Panther – Lower the Bar – (Steel Panther, Inc):  The Rock, Porn, Comedy Act is back with another completely inappropriate, politically incorrect album and why the hell not!!  If you want to know more about them, read my post on Steel Panther and understand what you are getting in to with this album.  No matter what you think, I love these guys and you have to see them live…it is an experience.  Parental Guidance is strongly recommended!!!

•   Night Ranger – Don’t Let Up – (Frontiers Records Srl):  Yes, Night Ranger has returned yet again with a new release.  These guys have been pumping out albums in the last few years and they have actually been great.  The have recaptured some of the prior magic and yet modernized it a little to fit with the times.  High expectations again on this album as well.

•   Eclipse – Monumentum – (Frontiers Records Srl):  This Swedish Rock band is one of my favorite new bands to come out since 2000.  They get better with each release and really hit their stride on the last album Armageddonize.  I don’t expect anything different on this one.  Definitely check them out.

•   House of Lords – Saint of the Lost Souls – (Frontiers Records Srl):  These guys have been around for ages and they have been putting out some great albums in the 2000’s.  I will eventually get to this one as well.

•   One Desire – One Desire – (Frontiers Records Srl)
•   Bonfire – Byte the Bullet – (UDR)
•   Michael Schenker – Fest: Live Tokyo International Forum Hall A – (INAKUSTIK)
•   Dirty White Boyz – Down and Dirty – (Escape Music Ltd)
•   Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors – Souvenir – (Magnolia Music)
•   Take That – Wonderland – (Polydor Ltd)
•   Steve Hackett – The Night Siren – (Inside Out Music)
•   Pink Floyd – 1965-67 Cambridge St/ation – (Pink Floyd Music)
•   Pink Floyd – 1968 Germin/Ation – (Pink Floyd Music)
•   Pink Floyd – 1969 Dramatis/Ation – (Pink Floyd Music)
•   Pink Floyd – 1970 Devi/Ation – (Pink Floyd Music)
•   Pink Floyd – 1971 Reverber/Ation – (Pink Floyd Music)
•   Pink Floyd – 1972 Obfusc/Ation – (Pink Floyd Music)
•   Shawty Lo – Rico – (D4L Entertainment)
•   Trey Songz – Tremaine – (Atlantic Records)
•   Jethro Tull – The String Quartets – (BMG)
•   The Jesus and Mary Chain – Damage and Joy – (EK OK)
•   Raekwon – The Wild – (H2O Records)
•   RaeLynn – Wildhorses – (Warner Music Nashville)