Welcome to the next edition of the Friday New Releases. It was a great week as we were on vacation this week down on Amelia Island in Florida. It was so nice to get away for a little while and just relax. And to come back and be a new release day…even better. We have another strong week of releases so I hope you find something you like. My choices are highlighted in Blue. Let me know what you want to hear this weekend and if I left anything off the list so everyone will know about it. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!
Caleb Johnson – Mountain Mojo, Vol. 1 – (Caleb Johnson): Caleb Johnson has one of the best voices in music…period. He has never really blown up the airwaves since his American Idol days, but there is no denying he is special. I look forward to every release and this one is no different. His voice is perfect for that old brand of Southern Rock & Roll and I hoping that is what is served up on this one. This one has the both Jason Bonham and Damon Johnson on it so this could be awesome.
Crobot – Rat Child E.P. – (Mascot Label Group): Do you like your rock hard and with a little funk…I thought so. Then check out Crobot and you won’t be disappointed. The only sad thing here is it is only an E.P. I am so ready for another full album. Come on boys, get on that!! In the meantime, be prepared to rock you ass off with this one.
Styx – Crash of the Crown – (UMe): Styx is back and they have the hard task of following up a great album which was “The Mission” and that will be no easy task. If you’ve been following them, you know what I mean. Here’s to hoping they can do it.
And then there is all the rest…
Frank Zappa – Zappa ’88: The Last U.S. Show – (Universal Music / UMG)
Helloween – Helloween – (Nuclear Blast)
Fear Factory – Aggression Continuum – (Nuclear Blast)
Timo Tolkki’s Avalon – The Enigma Birth – (Frontiers Records)
Kent Hilli – The Rumble – (Frontiers Records)
Crowne – Kings in the North – (Frontiers Records)
Chalice of Sin – Chalice of Sin – (Frontiers Records)
Hacktivist – Hyperdialect – (UNFD)
Alustrium – A Monument to Silence – (Unique Leader Records)
Joe Jackson & Todd Rundgren – State Theatre New Jersey 2005 – (Purple Pyramid): I can’t find an official video so this will have to do.
De’Wayne – Stains – (Hopeless Records)
Evolfo – Site Out of Mind – (Royal Potato Family)
Cher Strauberry – Chering is Caring – (Silver Arrow Records)
The Trojan Story (Various Artist) – The Trojan Story – (Trojan Records)
Pendulum – Elemental E.P. – (Earstorm Records)
Amy Helm – What the Flood Leaves Behind – (BMG Rights)
Gucci Mane – Ice Daddy – (Atlantic Records)
Kings of Convenience – Peace Or Love – (EMI / Universal)
Gorgon City – Olympia – (A Positiva / EMI / Universal): CD& Vinyl Only; digital next week
Rebelution – In the Moment – (87 Music / Easy Star)
Rory Feek – Gentle Man – (Muletown Recorded Music)
Amythust Kiah – Wary + Strange – (Rounder Records)
2 Loud 2 Old Music 
Haven’t heard of Caleb Johnson before this, but I’m checking his album out now and it’s good. Thanks for the great rec, as always! Crowne’s also on my to-listen list.
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Caleb is great. One of the best voices in rock right now!!
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I was impressed by that one too.
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I saw clips of Caleb Johnson on American Idol and he sang a Rush song; it was the first Rush song I actually liked. I found it impressive that a rock artist won American Idol because that didn’t happen often.
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No it didn’t. He is awesome though and deserved it!!
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Too bad American Idol sucks and nobody gives a dang about the winners anymore. The last American Idol winner that did well (imo) was Jordin Sparks from season 6.
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yeah, it has been awhile since any Idol member has gone on to better things. But those first handful of seasons, a lot of those people are still around…not just the winners
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I feel like it’s actually a blessing not to win Idol, look at Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry. Of course, excuse the winners that were actually successful.
When I watched that Queen + Adam Lambert: The Show Must Go On documentary, Brian May recalled the time he and Roger first met Adam on the American Idol finale, he said it was between Adam and some other guy! Cracks me up every time! 😛
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I remember watching Adam and Queen and thought he did great. Wasn’t real surprised they went with him. And yes, winning Idol isn’t always the best thing because it limits what they can do as artist for those first few years.
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I agree! Adam’s majestic pipes fit well with Queen. They have great chemistry on and off stage. As mentioned in the same Queen + Adam Lambert documentary, the American Idol team would’ve led Adam down a different path with hand picked producers and would’ve had full control over his sound, so it was a blessing he didn’t win. I’ll never forget that part!
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STYX all day all night. The single is growing on me now. Very progressive. I don’t know if they can top the Mission, or even Dennis. But we are in a wealth of Styx now!
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I haven’t been able to get in to the single so hoping the album setting is better.
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It was a weird choice for a single. I expect something more straightforward and immediate. This song strikes me more as an “album epic” type of song.
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Exactly!
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Caleb, Helloween and the Frontiers releases. I think that works. Lol
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That should be enough to keep you busy!
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Some really good ones here. I was particularly impressed with the Todd Rundgren/Joe Jackson collaboration.
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Nice…that might be worth a listen down the road for me as well.
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I’ll check out Styx for sure. Still catching up on stuff from the last month.
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I’m still catching up on the stuff from last night in the mail!
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Am not familiar with Kings of Convenience, but I like the video of their song ‘Rocky Trail’ that you included, so will check out more of their album.
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I hope you enjoy it.
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I’ll be curious to see what Styx does (Gowan!), and the Trojan boxed set could be cool. Another full week!
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Nothing compared to next week. Hold on to your hat and grab a cup of coffee and sit back to spend an hour going through the list!! LOL!!
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An hour?!?! Holy moly.
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If you watch all the videos attached it will take longer than that I am sure.
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Noted!
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Styx is the only one that has my interest. Maybe Zappa. I’ll be giving both a test run.
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I haven’t listened to either yet. I am hoping to get caught up this week.
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