By Jesse Cataldo
As summer nears, countless albums beg for your attention. Here’s five that may be worth it:
Sufjan Stevens – The Avalanche, Outtakes and Extras – For a man with 48 state-themed albums left to record, Stevens seems to be in no particular hurry. The Avalanche, which collects all the excess from last year’s Illinois, includes songs about Saul Bellow and Ann Landers, an easy listening version of “Chicago” and dozens of ridiculously wordy song titles perfect for destroying the track-list on your summer mix-tape. Release Date: July 25.
The Raconteurs – Broken Boy Soldiers – Jack White has ditched Meg, if only for the moment, to take up with three di musicians, among them singer-songwriter Brendan Benson. While varying slightly in sound and delivery (Benson sings lead on a few tracks), Broken Boy Soldiers is essentially a more focused Stripes record sans the elaborate period costume photo shoots. Somehow, the drumming still operates on fourth grade level. Release Date: May 16.
Angels & Airwaves – We Don’t Need to Whisper – Tom Delonge quit Blink 182 just over a year ago, evidently ready to work on something a bit more substantial. The result is Whisper, which according to Delonge, attempts to rival Nirvana’s Nevermind in influence and importance. Be prepared for many uncomfortable minutes with a man suddenly and inexplicably taking himself too seriously. Release Date: May 23.
Art Brut – Bang Bang Rock & Roll – Out in Great Britain since 2005, this first album from this overly cynical, unusually self-aware band dismantles rock music and puts it back together without using the manual; full of sharp, catchy edges and missing all the right pieces. Release Date: May 9.
Xiu Xiu – The Air Force – Xiu Xiu’s Jamie Stewart is borderline fascinating because he has the heart of the crudest shock-rocker inside the body of a mild-mannered, pseudo-intellectual art-school snob. He’s made a career of looking entirely unassuming while creating some extraordinarily (some would also say pointlessly) offensive music, covering topics from rape to the mindless malice of US troops. Expect another dryly repellent album full of overwrought lyrical flailing and obtuse, sometimes catchy melodies. Release Date: Sep. 15.
