Top 10 Best Music CDs Albums July 2012
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1. Adele 21
Price: $9.99
21 is the eagerly awaited sophomore album from British singer-songwriter Adele. It’s the follow up to Adele’s critically acclaimed, Grammy award winning debut album 19 (both named after her age at the time the songs were written). Recorded in Malibu and London, 21 offered Adele the opportunity to work with such luminary producers and songwriters as Rick Rubin, Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder, Dan Wilson and Fraser T. Smith, as well as continuing to work with Francis “Eg” White and Jim Abbiss.
This new collection of songs showcases the growth of this incredible artist, who at the very young age of twenty two, exhibits the poise of a seasoned veteran. Adele’s music takes some new direction while staying true to her signature style… Read more >
2. Clockwork Angels
Price: $11.88
Legendary rock band Rush have unveiled details of its highly anticipated 2012 album, Clockwork Angels. The recording of Clockwork Angels began with Grammy Award winner Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Deftones) who collaborated with the band on their 2007 studio album, Snakes and Arrows – and Rush co-producing. Lyrically, Clockwork Angels chronicles a young man’s quest across a lavish and colorful world of steampunk and alchemy as he attempts to follow his dreams. The story features lost cities, pirates, anarchists, exotic carnival, and a rigid Watchmaker who imposes precision on every aspect of daily life. With more than 40 million records sold worldwide and countless sold-out tours, Rush – Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart – is not only one of the most inventive and compelling groups in rock history, but remains one of the most popular… Read more >
3. LIVING THINGS
Price: $9.99
2012 album from the best selling Alt-Rock band. From day one, Linkin Park built the band upon the premise of fusing all of their favorite styles of music-as disparate as they might be-into one signature sound. Fast-forward 12 years to Living Things and the same six players have not only developed new tools to make that philosophy a reality, but they’re finally comfortable embracing-and coalescing-every aspect of their career. With each song, they flexed their expertise with both cutting-edge and classic gear, and they infused their vocals with an honest, thrilling enthusiasm; they picked apart their own ideas of what defines a song, and what defines Linkin Park. Living Things is a personal album, centered on human emotions and relationships implied by the title. It is informed by and built upon all previous Linkin Park albums, while still pushing the band’s sound into new territory. It’s spirited, energetic, daring and unafraid to hybridize the past, present and future. It’s absolute proof to a radical theory six musicians have devoted their lives to testing… Read more >
4. Welcome To The Fishbowl
Price: $9.99
With more than 30 million albums sold, 20 million digital transactions and 23 #1 singles, Kenny Chesney is one of the most successful recording acts in the history of country music. In addition, his live shows have become a summer vacation themselves for the more than 11 million fans who have purchased tickets over the last decade. Welcome To The Fishbowl, Chesney’s 13th studio album, follows 2010’s platinum-certified Hemingway’s Whiskey, which spawned four #1 singles. Chesney has been awarded 9 ACM Awards and 7 CMA Awards throughout his career. The Single Kenny Chesney’s duet with Tim McGraw, “Feel Like A Rock Star” debuted at #13 only days after its premiere at the Academy of Country Music Awards in early April, making it Chesney’s highest debut ever on Billboard s Country Song chart… Read more >
5. Americana
Price: $9.99
Americana is the first album from Neil Young & Crazy Horse in nearly nine years. Crazy Horse is: Billy Talbot, Ralph Molina, Poncho Sampedro, and Neil Young. As you ll see from the track-listing, Americana is collection of classic, American folk songs. In their day, some of these may have been referred to as “protest songs,” “murder ballads,” or campfire-type songs passed down with universal, relatable tales for everyman. Some of these compositions which, like “Tom Dooley” and “Oh Susannah,” were written in the 1800s, while others, like “This Land Is Your Land” (utilizing the original, widely misinterpreted “deleted verses”) and “Get A Job,” are mid-20th-century folk classics. It s also interesting to note that “God Save The Queen,” Britain s national anthem, also became the de facto national anthem of sorts before the establishment of The Union as we know it until we came to adopt our very own “The Star Spangled Banner,” which has been recognized for use as early as 1889 and made our official national anthem in 1931. Each of these compositions is very much part of the fabric of our American heritage; the roots of what we think of as “Americana” in cultural terms, using songs as a way of passing along information and documenting our past. What ties these songs together is the fact that while they may represent an America that may no longer exist, the emotions and scenarios behind these songs still resonate with what s going on in the country today with equal, if not greater impact nearly 200 years later. The lyrics reflect the same concerns and are still remarkably meaningful to a society going through economic and cultural upheaval, especially during an election year. They are just as poignant and powerful today as the day they were written… Read more >
6. Slipstream Bonnie Raitt
Price: $9.99
2012 album from the Grammy winning singer, songwriter and musician. her first album since 2005’s Souls Alike. Produced by Joe Henry, the album is her return to the music scene following the deaths of her parents and brother. The album was recorded with her longtime touring band as well as a handful of tracks with top-level musicians such as Bill Frisell. Features the first single ‘Right Down The Line’, a cover of the Gerry Rafferty hit.
With the release of her nineteenth album, Slipstream, Bonnie Raitt is starting anew. The album marks her return to studio recording after seven years; it’s coming out as the launch of her own label, Redwing Records; and it delivers some of the most surprising and rewarding music of her remarkable career, thanks in part to some experimental sessions with celebrated producer Joe Henry… Read more >
7. That’s Why God Made the Radio
Price: $7.99
2012 studio album from the reunited California Pop outfit led by Brian Wilson, their first new studio material in over two decades. Celebrating their 50th Anniversary, all surviving members came together to record this new album and embark on a world tour. Features Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks.
The critical reception to this album has been strong and the reunited band has been welcomed with open arms… Read more >
8. The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do
Price: $9.99
2012 release, the first album in seven years from the acclaimed songstress. Recording of the album began casually and quietly in 2008 and Fiona kept the recording process secret from her fans and her label. Surprisingly enough, Epic Records were unaware that she was recording an album until she handed the finished product to them. The album was co-produced by her touring drummer, Charley Drayton.
For fans EXTRAORDINARY MACHINE’s darker side (perhaps more so of the leaked Jon Brion mixes), Fiona Apple’s newest release will not disappoint. It continues the strange, creative journey that Apple started in the 90’s but offers unexpected twists and turns. It may not be pretty, but it is sincerely and beautifully crafted. This album is one of the best of 2012… Read more >
9. Overexposed (Deluxe Edition)
Price: $15.88
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA in late 2011 and early 2012, Maroon 5’s fourth studio album Overexposed is a rich, pop-infused collection of tracks. The album was executive produced by Max Martin with additional tracks produced by Benny Blanco and Ryan Tedder. Maroon 5’s musicianship and frontman Adam Levine’s vocals are as distinct as ever on Overexposed, continuing to showcase the band’s ability for creating songs that have become part of the fabric of pop and rock music today. Maroon 5 began writing and recording the album during their most recent world tour and the resulting collection is chock-full of undeniable, anthemic melodies. The album includes such stand out tracks as the emphatic Payphone featuring Wiz Khalifa, the irresistible One More Night and the rythmic ballad Beautiful Goodbye… Read more >
10. Born and Raised
Price: $9.99
Born and Raised, the new album from Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician John Mayer. The first single, “Shadow Days,” Billboard calls “a gentle and shimmering confluence of mellow Southern rock”.
Mayer produced Born and Raised with Don Was, who worked on albums for acts such as the Rolling Stones, B.B. King and Bonnie Raitt. Rock legends David Crosby and Graham Nash provide vocals on the title song, “Born and Raised.” Musicians joining Mayer on the album and on the road include highly-regarded keyboardist/pianist Chuck Leavell who has worked with the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and The Allman Brothers Band as well as previous collaborators Sean Hurley on bass and Aaron Sterling on drums.
Mayer’s previous albums Room for Squares, Heavier Things, Continuum and Battle Studies have sold more than 12 million copies combined. He has been honored with seven Grammy Awards and an additional 11 nominations. He has also been included in Time Magazine’s annual Time 100 list of the most influential contemporary thinkers, leaders, artists and entertainers, and twice been featured on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine s annual “Guitar” issue… Read more >
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Copyright 2012 David Masters
