This week’s new albums: Jan. 12, 2010
By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)Jan 11, 2010 11:15 PM
Vampire Weekend, Ringo Starr, OK Go, O.A.R., Laura Veirs lead the newest batch of new releases.
Vampire Weekend, “Contra” (XL)
The indie-pop quartet is set to drop its sophomore effort. “Contra” follows Vampire Weekend’s eponymous 2008 debut, which sold more than 27,000 copies during its first week and debuted at No. 17 on The Billboard 200 chart.
The first single from the 10-track album is “Cousins,” which hit radio airwaves in November. The band recorded the majority of “Contra” in its hometown of New York, although it also worked on the material during a trip to Mexico early last year.
Vampire Weekend will support “Contra” with three shows in New York City, Jan. 17-19, and then head overseas for a European jaunt. The group will kick off its North American tour in earnest on March 14 in Edmonton, Alberta. The trek continues through April 19 in Oakland, CA.
Ringo Starr, “Y Not” (Hip-O)
The former Beatle benefitted from a little help from his friends on his latest self-produced solo offering. Most notably, fellow Fab man Paul McCartney contributes to “Y Not.”
McCartney sings with Starr on the album’s first single, “Walk With You,” as well as plays bass on the cut “Peace Dream.” Other guest performers on “Y Not” include Joss Stone, Joe Walsh, Dave Stewart, Benmont Tench, Don Was, Glen Ballard and Ben Harper.
OK Go, “Of the Blue Colour of the Sky” (Capitol)
The pop-rock foursome is ready to release a follow-up to 2005’s mega-popular “Oh No,” which featured the hit single “Here It Goes Again.” The 13-track “Of the Blue Colour of the Sky” is OK Go’s third studio album overall.
The album’s title is borrowed from the book “The Influence of the Blue Ray of the Sunlight and of the Blue Color of the Sky,” which addresses how illness can be cured by blue light. The first single from “Of the Blue Colour of the Sky” is the track “WTF?”
O.A.R., “Rain or Shine” (Everfine)
The jamming rock band further capitalizes on its reputation as a first-rate live act by releasing its fifth official concert offering. “Rain or Shine” is a four-disc set featuring 37 songs, recorded during a two-night stand at Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago.
Laura Veirs, “July Flame” (+1)
The acclaimed singer-songwriter is back with her seventh studio album. “July Flame” follows 2007’s “Saltbreakers.” My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James contributed vocals on several tracks on “July Flame.”
Also in stores this week:
All Time Low, “MTV Unplugged” (Hopeless)
Diana Damrau, “Coloraturas” (Virgin)
Benny Goodman, “Yale University Archives Vol. 3” (Nimbus)
Gene Harris, “Another Night in London” (Resonance)
Freedy Johnston, “Rain on the City” (Bar None)
King Crimson, “Lizard” (Discipline Us)
Seabird, “Rocks into Rivers” (Credential)
Sidewalk Prophets, “These Simple Truths” (Fervent)
Various Artists, “I’ll Be There: A Smooth Jazz Tribute to Michael Jackson” (Columbia River)
Various Artists, “We Are the World: An Instrumental Tribute to Michael Jackson” (Columbia River)
Johnny Winter, “Live Bootleg Series Volume 6” (Friday)
Soundtracks and scores:
“Lion King on Broadway” (Disney)
“The Road” (Mute)
“Sherlock Holmes” (Watertower)