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CD Picks of the Week

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Four stand-out new albums, as chosen by the Soundcheck staff.

Kate Nash, "Made of Bricks" (Interscope)

The next big thing out of England is supposed to be Kate Nash, who made her US debut last week on a wave of industry hype, followed immediately by a wave of media buzz and then a predictable backlash when it turned out the 20 year old pianist isn’t the second coming of Cole Porter and John Lennon. At least, not yet But her debut album does have a distinctive, dry, sardonic voice and several terrific songs.--picked by John Schaefer

"Made of Bricks" is available for purchase at Amazon.com.

Israel "Cachao" López, "Cachao Descargas – The Havana Sessions" (Yemaya Spain)

The Cuban composer and bass player Israel "Cachao" López brought mambo to the US in the 50s, a rhythm that he helped create in the 30s. And he is a master of descargas, as Latin jam sessions are called. This compilation is a great document of an incredibly vibrant time in Cuban music and it has some pretty weird stuff, like this song composed by Cachao, el fantasma, or the ghost.--picked by Gisele Regatao

"Cachao Descargas" is available for purchase at Amazon.com.

"Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto – Octet for Strings – Songs" Daniel Hope, violin, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Thomas Hengelbrock, conductor (Deutsche Grammophon)

British violinist Daniel Hope claims to be a descendant of Mendelssohn’s teacher. Now he’s made the world-premiere recording of the original version of the composer’s Violin Concerto and Octet, as well as three arrangements of his songs. At 33, Hope is the youngest-ever member of the legendary Beaux Arts Trio and he’s also an accomplished author.--picked by Brian Wise

Daniel Hope's Mendelssohn recording is available for purchase at Amazon.com.

Magnetic Fields, "Distortion" (Nonesuch)

The first album in four years from the Magnetic Fields is called “Distortion” — and for good reason. Every song on it is soaked in reverb and feedback. The group’s leader, Stephin Merritt, says he set out “to sound more like the Jesus and Mary Chain than the Jesus and Mary Chain.” The result is a fine homage to that legendarily loud Scottish band – and also to the melancholy pop of the Beach Boys. --picked by Joel Meyer

"Distortion" is available for purchase at Amazon.com.


Comments

  • [1] Will from Oakland January 23, 2008 - 02:37PM

    Hard to believe this wouldn't sell much.
  • [2] Rob from Levittown, NY January 23, 2008 - 03:21PM

    Will-- I don't know what qualifies as a "sale". I'm listening to the album on rhapsody now (it's free to listen to and/or transfer to my cell phone as part of my subscription). If they get income from people using the subscription to listen, then perhaps I just gave them one. The first time I heard this album about a week ago (I only listened to a few pieces of it, it was featured on the rhapsody front page), I was a little put off by it. However, after hearing 'California Girls' on WNYC today from this album, i'm giving it a second shot. It's almost growing on me.


  • [3] Will from Oakland January 23, 2008 - 04:31PM

    i've always disliked this band for all sorts of reasons, mostly musical. I've heard probably most of what they [he] has recorded.

This thread is closed.


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