by Ed Masley
Carrie Underwood should have no trouble topping Billboard's album chart - again - with her soon-to-be-platinum third release, "Play On." But this week also brings new sounds from Weezer, Slayer, Shwayze and the much-anticipated solo album from Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas.
Carrie Underwood, "Play On" (19/Arista Nashville)
With lead-off single "Cowboy Casanova," Underwood became the female artist with the most Top 10 appearances on Billboard's country singles chart this century. A Top 5 smash, it found producer Mark Bright slipping in some synthesizer, and there may be even more pop touches on the album, which finds the American Idol working with Max Martin and "Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi. Earlier this year, there were reports that Underwood had also worked with R&B star Ne-Yo on a track, but Underwood told USA Today she wasn't sure if it would fit within the context of the album, and the song was shelved.
Julian Casablancas, "Phrazes for the Young" (Cult/RCA)
How did frontman Julian Casablancas let so many other Strokes get solo projects out before his? In September, Rolling Stone reported that the singer's album finds him dabbling in synthesizers, drum machines and violins. "Introducing new instruments into the Strokes would be like adding a new character to a sitcom," he explained. "With this CD, I wanted to do everything." The title is a reference to Oscar Wilde's much wordier title, "Phrases and Philosophies for the Use of the Young." The eight song album was produced by Jason Lader, with additional production by Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes and Monsters of Folk fame. Casablancas has already pulled in raves from Mojo, NME and Spin.
Weezer, "Raditude" (Geffen)
Other than the opportunity for headline writers to have their little fun with "When Weezer met Weezy," is there any good that could possibly come of Weezer hooking up with rap star Lil Wayne? Find out when "Raditude" arrives. Lil Wayne appears on "Can't Stop Partying," which also boasts production by Jermaine Dupri. And Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo promised Pitchfork Weezy "really tapped into the spirit of the song." The album title, by the way, was a suggestion from the great Rainn Wilson of "The Office," "Six Feet Under" and "The Rocker" fame.
Slayer, "World Painted Blood" (American Recordings)
Are the members of Slayer as "loud, fast and ready to thrash" as the headline on a recent article in Rolling Stone suggested? In the article, guitarist Kerry King wonders "Why do I write this (expletive) at my age?" - rhetorically speaking, of course. "It's (expletive) brutal," King continues. "It's exciting to be part of it and I'm excited to be writing this heavy (expletive) (expletive). It's still in the blood." Speaking of blood, the album was executive produced by Rick Rubin, who produced a crucial chapter in the Slayer legend, "Reign in Blood," in 1986. This is Slayer's second album with the original lineup since the return in 2002 of founding drummer Dave Lombardo.
Shwayze, "Let it Beat" (Suretone/Geffen)
The question here is, "Can they top the title?" They've certainly tried, recruiting Kanye West, Vince Vaughn and Snoop Dogg. Yes, Vince Vaughn, not your typical rap accessory, but maybe that's the genius of it. Only time will tell. The album was preceded by a filthy lead-off single, "Get U Home," about a very kinky girl whose favorite pickup line is "Take me in the bathroom. Take my clothes off. Make love to me up against a dirty wall." It somehow failed to make an impact on the pop charts, but it bodes well for the album.
No comments:
Post a Comment