Other notable albums released today include Hellbilly Deluxe 2: Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool from Rob Zombie, The Courage of Others from folk rock band Midlake, Wall of Sound: The Best of Phil Spector, the self-titled debut from indie rock band The Soft Pack, the self-titled debut from heavy metal band Charred Walls of the Damned, These Hopeful Machines from composer BT, a 2CD set from Joe Satriani titled Live in Paris: I Just Wanna Rock, Concrete Jungle from soul singer-songwriter Nneke, Planet Anthem from jam band Disco Biscuits, Bk3 from former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick, A Chorus of Storytellers from post-rock project The Album Leaf and the US release of Prior to the Fire from Canadian hard rock group Priestess.

And with that I’m done.  Have a great week all and see ya’ next week.

With song titles like “Hungover,” “Take it Off” and “Party At a Rich Dude’s House” it’s clear what you are getting if you happen to purchase Animal.  It’s fitting that this is the first major release of the young year.  It’s as if those New Year Eve parties have yet to end.

If you’ve yet to hear lead single “Tik Tok” please allow me to let it furrow into your brain, take root there like a parasite and eventually rot you from within.  It’s only fair since that’s what it’s done to me.

Other notable albums released today include Unbroken from “American Idol” season five runner-up Katharine McPhee and…um…that’s about it.

Since today’s New Music Tuesday is so slim it’s bonus time.

Jay-Z with “On To The Next One” featuring Swizz Beats:

OutKast’s Big Boi with “Shine Blockas” featuring Gucci Mane:

Mos Def with “History” featuring Talib Kweli:

“The album represents who and what I am right now. I’m a stronger human being after all the growing pains. It’s about life, love, change, strength—mostly really knowing who you are and being confident in that.” (Rap-Up)

A bevy of A-list writers and producers (Polow Da Don, Raphael Saadiq, Ne-Yo, The-Dream) worked with Blige on Tear and although it’s an extremely competent album it doesn’t quite stand up to the raw, emotional passion of previous albums.

Second single “I Am” was produced by Stargate (Rihanna, Beyonce) and should fare better on the charts and with Blige's audience than underwhelming lead single “The One” featuring Drake.

Or “I’d Do It Again” by Corrine Bailey Rae:

There’s the sublime “Young Forever” by Jay-Z and featuring Mr. Hudson:

And we’ll end it with “Spy” by Beat Assailant:

Other notable albums released today include Mudvayne from alternative metal band Mudvayne, a re-release of Relapse titled Relapse: Refill from Eminem, Unleashed from rapper Hurricane Chris and a live Box Set from Dave Matthews Band titled Europe 2009.

Have a fantastic holiday my friends and if you’re lookin’ for that perfect last minute gift idea (there are only three shopping days left) might I suggest something as simple as love.  One well placed hug or act of genuine kindness is often the greatest gift a person can give.  Have a great week everybody and we’ll see you on the other side.

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Over on The Daily Planet this week I’ve listed the Top Ten Albums of 2009.  Take a gander at it whenever you get a chance.  Have a great week all and I’ll see you next Tuesday.

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Up next and veering sharply from 50 Cent (although she does have collaborations with Wyclef Jean, OutKast, Q-Tip and Talib Kweli under her belt) comes the fourth studio album from Norah Jones titled The Fall.  This is a different release from Jones in the sense that she’s experimenting with new sounds and taking her craft in new directions (taking notes 50?).  A large amount of credit for this approach goes to producer Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Modest Mouse, Kings of Leon).  Collaborations with Ryan Adams and Okkervil River’s Will Sheff are also in store if you happen to pick up this release.

I thoroughly enjoy lead single “Chasing Pirates” although it is a bit on the short side.

Moving on I offer the fourth studio album from John Mayer titled Battle Studies.  Mayer has long been hit or miss with me.  There’s no denying his acumen with a guitar in his hands but the “gravity” of his lyricism often grates on me.  In describing the album Mayer says that it’s “called Battle Studies and that's because it incorporates a lot of the lessons, a lot of the observations, and a little bit of advice. Like a handbook, like a heartbreak handbook" (Wikipedia).  That’s all I needed to retreat in the other direction.

Lead single “Who Says” is a collection of intimate declarations by a pot smoker.  It’s actually quite tamer (think Jack Johnson) than you’d imagine.

It’s puzzling to me why British pop star Robbie Williams never really latched on in the States.  His chosen genre and ability to court controversy seem to be tailored specifically for American audiences.  Maybe with the US release of his eighth studio album today, Reality Killed the Video Star, he’ll get that American breakthrough that has long eluded him.  Lead single “Bodies” is definitely a step in the right direction.

Season 8 American Idol winner Kris Allen releases his self-titled debut today and after giving it a quick listen I agree 100% with “Entertainment Weekly” columnist Whitney Pastorek’s review: “on his post-Idol debut, the season 8 champion sniffs around a musical identity but never quite curls up in one.”  Allen is clearly a competent vocalist but with 11 producers on this album it’s simply a case of too many cooks in the kitchen.  That quality that made Allen shine on Idol gets lost in the muddled mix.

Lead single “Live Like We’re Dying” will do an excellent job of expanding Allen’s reach beyond the Idol crowd, if that’s even possible.

Let’s see, we have Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss) on vocals and guitar, John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) on bass and keys and Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) covering the drums.  Do I really need to write anything more?  They are the very definition of a supergroup, calling themselves Them Crooked Vultures, and they release their debut album today.

The title of the second single “Mind Eraser, No Chaser” is so apt after listening to the tune.

Other notable albums released today include the US release of Echo from British R&B/pop diva Leona Lewis, a greatest hits collection from Janet Jackson titled Number Ones, Waking Up from OneRepublic, My World from Canadian pop artist Justin Bieber, a live greatest hits compilation from Rush titled Working Men, a covers album from Boyz II Men titled Love, the US release of Comes and Goes from Canadian rock band Default, a CD/DVD greatest hits collection from Fall Out Boy titled Believers Never Die: Greatest Hits, Pretty Ricky from Pretty Ricky, the long delayed The Seventh Seal from hip-hop icon Rakim, A Friend of a Friend from bluegrass collective Dave Rawlings Machine, the US release of Don’t Stop from electropop artist Annie, MTV Unplugged from  Katy Perry, an EP titled The Weekend: Friday from pop punk band Forever the Sickest Kids, The Shape of Energy from folk pop band We All Have Hooks For Hands, the self-titled debut from rock supergroup The Company Band (Clutch frontman Neil Fallon, Fireball Ministry frontman James Rota, CKY drummer Jess Margera, guitarist Dave Bone, and Fu Manchu bassist Brad Davis), a 2 CD/DVD live combo from Paul McCartney titled Good Evening New York City and a live 6-disc live box set from The Doors titled Live in New York taken from a 1970 two night stand at the Felt Forum in New York City.

Before I go I have a little housekeeping to do.  I’ve accepted an offer to become a feature writer with The Daily Planet, “a community of creatives who love their craft.”  It’s a great opportunity for me and one I feel I must take.  Unfortunately something needs give in order for me to do this.  Therefore “What To Do?” is going to be few and far between from here on out.  It was a tough decision to make and trust that I didn’t approach it lightly.  So visit me at The Daily Planet, poke around, and become a member.  I guarantee you’ll find something there you’ll enjoy.

Have a great week all and I’ll see you next Tuesday.

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Not too shocking right?  But you may be asking why it is titled “Keep Up the Faith.”

You really didn’t think I was going to go the safe route on the on the one day of the year my id is allowed to take control did you?  I mean you’re talking to a guy that was Dr. Seymour Bush, Gynecologist last year for Halloween.

The Wife and I are still throwing our annual Halloween party tomorrow night.  We’re expecting about fifty guests to filter through the house at various points throughout the evening.  So if you happen to find yourself in Raleigh, NC tomorrow night swing on by.  This guy will be serving shots all night long.

We’ll also have a keg of Bud Light by the fire pit out back.  Nothing but the finest mass produced domestic swill for our friends.

All of this takes a backseat to the real celebration occurring today however.  The Girl, the only one I’ll ever have, turns seven today.  So join with me in wishing this beautiful, talented, smart, opinionated, sweet, bossy, energetic bundle of overflowing joy a Happy Birthday.

Let’s see what is on tap this weekend.

MOVIES:
Michael Jackson’s This Is It – I’ve never heard of this film.  Anybody wanna fill me in?

MUSIC:
RE: New Music Tuesday

SPORTS:
My East Carolina Pirates put a smack down on Memphis earlier this week which is a good thing.  We’ll need the extra time to prepare for what will likely be an angry Va. Tech team visiting us next Thursday.  In other local NCAA Football action tomorrow (10/31) NC State hosts Florida State at 12PM (Raycom), Wake Forest pays a visit to 18^th ranked Miami (ABC Regional) and Duke travels to Virginia.  Kickoff for both of those games is at 3:30PM.  There’s a toss-up between what is the big game of the day however.  If you’re on the West Coast it is likely 4^th ranked USC at 10^th ranked Oregon (8PM, ABC).  But you may also have your eye on 3^rd ranked Texas at 13^th ranked Oklahoma State (8PM, ABC Regional).
Game 3 of the World Series is coming your way tomorrow night at 7:57PM on Fox.  The Phillies and Yankees have tired the Series at 1-1.  Andy Pettitte is taking the mound for NY while Cole Hamels is handling the duties for the Phillies.  Game 4 is Sunday (11/01) night at 8:20 on Fox.
It’s Week 8 in the NFL and the 2-4 Carolina Panthers visit 4-2 Arizona Sunday at 4:15PM.  Anybody recall the last time these two teams matched up?  Panthers QB Jake Delhomme ended up throwing five picks in the ‘08 divisional playoffs.  Jake already has 13 INTs on this season so I’m not looking forward to this game at all.  There is no Sunday night game on NBC but the Monday (11/02) night game on ESPN has Atlanta at New Orleans.
The Sprint Cup is in Talladega, Alabama this Sunday for the AMP Energy 500 at the Talladega Superspeedway.  Jimmie Johnson is currently the man at the top of the heap.  The race starts at 1:19PM on ABC.

Have a great Halloween everybody and above all be safe.  There are quite a few freaks out there namely the priest in the picture up above.  And above all please remember to be good to each other.

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