Top Five New CD Releases

The Monday holiday makes it a very light week for new releases. Here are a few things that caught our eye....

Dave Alvin West of the West (Yep Roc) – This is a concept album about California from the former leader of the Blasters. All these songs were written by California songwriters (Alvin co-wrote one of the songs). He covers Merle Haggard, Jackson Browne, John Fogerty, Jerry Garcia, Tom Waits, The Beach Boys and others. Appearing live at Amoeba on 6/22 and Safari Sam’s on 6/24.

Ammoncontact With Voices (Ninja Tune) – They're local guys. Here's a little blurb from their bio: "Ammoncontact just make superb, minimal, atmospheric, predominantly instrumental, predominantly hip hop-based music." Listen to a little at Myspace.

Asobi Seksu Citrus (Friendly Fire) – They’re a shoegazer (Lush, MBV) band from New York with a Japanese female singer Download “New Years” Download “Lions and Tigers”

Drowsy Snow on Moss on Stone (Fat Cat) – Finnish folk/electronic artist who is influenced by Nick Drake, Syd Barrett and Robert Wyatt. If you like Adem, this might be for you.

Peeping Tom Peeping Tom (Ipecac) – Mike Patton (Faith No More) with a lot of guests including: Kool Keith, Dub Trio, Dan the Automator, Bebel Gilberto, Kid Koala, Massive Attack, Norah Jones. This record is six years in the making, more accessible than his recent projects and has a hip-hop/electronic vibe to it.