New This Week

July 1-7, 2008

By Kurt B. Reighley
Special to MSN Music

The Fourth of July stretch is traditionally a slow week for new releases; the music industry recognizes that folks are too excited setting up fireworks and making potato salad to concentrate on other concerns. Still, there are a few notable titles rolling out. Take a moment to survey them before you stir up another pitcher of lemonade.

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"Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles" is the first new release from the popular singer-songwriter and guitar whiz since his multiplatinum 2006 full-length "Continuum." Making up for lost time, this performance -- recorded in concert at the Nokia Theater on Dec. 8, 2007 -- distributes 22 songs across two discs, and includes three distinct sets: Mayer playing solo acoustic; with drummer Steve Jordan and bassist Pino Palladino as the John Mayer Trio; and accompanied by a full band. Highlights from this five-time Grammy Award winner's set include his 2005 Song of the Year composition "Daughters," chart hit "Waiting on the World to Change," and covers of tunes popularized by Tom Petty, Ray Charles and Jimi Hendrix.

Considering the phenomenal success of "High School Musical," anyone within 50 miles of a Disney Channel fan is already aware that 2007 Teen Choice Awards winner Vanessa Hudgens just dropped her sophomore full-length, "Identified." More savvy pop fans might be curious to learn that two of its songs, "First Bad Habit" and the title cut, were penned by Cathy Dennis and Dr. Luke (the latter with Swedish studio whiz Max Martin, no less). They might not be household names, but another one of their compositions, "I Kissed a Girl," just gave Katy Perry a history-making hit: the 1,000th No. 1 single since the rock era began, way back in (gasp) 1955 with "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and his Comets.

Adolescents -- or those who are merely young and rebellious at heart -- of a different stripe can cheer for the arrival of "Agony & Irony," the sixth studio album by Windy City punk ensemble Alkaline Trio. Recorded in Los Angeles with producer Josh Abraham (Slayer, Linkin Park, Pink), the 11-song set includes their catchy sing-along single "Help Me." The boys are currently in the middle of a North American tour, scheduled to wrap up Aug. 3 in Lawrence, Kan., before they head overseas for a string of festival dates later that month. Wondering what to wear to the show? Well, the band and Nike 6.0 recently collaborated on a limited edition "Heart and Sole Air Zoom Cush" sneaker; it goes on sale nationwide July 11.

Los Lonely Boys might sound like a mascara-wearing emo ensemble, but, in fact, the Garza brothers -- guitarist Henry, bassist Jo Jo, and drummer Ringo Jr. -- are purveyors of some of the finest Tex-Mex roots music around; their multiplatinum eponymous 2004 disc won them a Grammy Award for its hit single "Heaven." For their third studio full-length, "Forgiven," the Boys opted for a new approach to recording. Aiming to capture their dynamic in-concert sound, their producer decided to record the threesome on a sound stage, with details configured to recreate their live setup as closely as possible. And who was the knob-twiddler with that bright idea? Drummer Steve Jordan -- the same one who keeps time in John Mayer Trio. Ka-ching!

Any of the aforementioned selections makes a fine soundtrack for barbecues or picnics, depending on your guest list. Personally, we here at New This Week will be grilling to the sound of "Hymn and Her," the latest from Earlimart. The sixth full-length from the team of Aaron Espinoza and Ariana Murray offers up wafting indie rock with some bittersweet twists. While their mellow singing recalls such lo-fi greats at Elliott Smith and Lois Maffeo, the arrangements are vibrant and ambitious. "For the Birds" pumps to the beat of Wall of Sound-style drums, myriad keyboards ripple through "Time for Yourself," and a melange of strings, brass, and featherweight backing vocals make "Face Down in the Right Town" a slice of swell sunshine pop -- with a hint of overcast skies. Hard to believe the whole disc was written and recorded in just four weeks. Maybe the pair were eager to get out and enjoy the summer. Find out for yourself when Earlimart hit the road, starting July 17 in San Diego.

• "Texture in Glass Tubes and Reed Organ" by Minoru Sato 
• "Cow Island Hop" by Feufollet
• "#3" by Antenne
• "100% Flamenco Guitar" by Various Artists

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