We've been discussing the best hip-hop albums, pop tunes, and indie music, but 2010 was also a great year to rock out. Which of these rock albums was your favorite one to play your air guitar along with?
Don't forget to vote on all of my Best of 2010 polls!
Check your watch: it's time to rock out! Today's new Tuesday music releases are all about rock bands, including a longtime staple, an indie one-of-a-kind, and a lead singer gone solo. Check out the albums and tracks I've deemed worth the download, and if these aren't your cup of tea, there's also new music from Chromeo and The Walkmen.
Weezer, Hurley
The lowdown: Rivers Cuomo and the boys find a home on a new indie label with this rock and pop-punk mix that shows they're out to have fun. It's still a far cry from Pinkerton but a welcome relief following messy Raditude.
Choice tracks: "Memories"
"Smart Girls"
"Time Flies"
Download this album if you: Need some tunes for your next house party.
Brandon Flowers, Flamingo
The lowdown: The Killers's front man Brandon Flowers forges his own path on his debut solo album, taking the band's rock anthems down a notch with more low-key songs and fewer commercial hits.
Choice tracks: "Crossfire"
"Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts"
"Hard Enough"
Don't download this album if you: Are expecting it to sound exactly like The Killers.
See the release from Of Montreal when you read more
Ready for a new exciting season of entertainment? I've got you up to speed on the Fall movies to look forward to (see parts one and two here), and now I want to focus on music. There's a ton of great new albums coming your way in the next few months, so I've gone through them to tell you which ones I'm looking forward to most!
A good friend of mine is celebrating her birthday this week, and I've been tasked to make a geek-inspired playlist for the party. Since I already put together a list of the 10 geekiest songs on the radio, I've got a good head start. But besides recent hits from Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and Jay-Z, I know I'll have to reach a bit further into the archives for more geek-inspired songs. Take a listen to my finished mix when you read more.
Excited that the World Cup kicks off today? Well, you're not the only one. Rivers Cuomo and the rest of the Weezer guys are such die-hard soccer fans that they came up with a new song just to cheer on the US men's national team. Called "Represent," the song has lyrics like "I work my bones beyond my limit just to have half a chance" and "You represent your family." Are you ready for some football?
To hear it, just read more
New DVD and music releases are the perk of Tuesdays, and today's album picks are fresh, fun, and guaranteed to liven up your iPod. I've checked out today's new music and have some advice for what's worth the download.
Don't stop partying: I'll resist doing a full-on album review for Weezer's Raditude; it's tempting, because I've always been a fan and have much to say about the band's transformation over the last 15 years. That said, if I forget about how lyrically deep Weezer used to be, I can enjoy the band for what it is now: a group of guys who write catchy, rocking party songs. I'm definitely enjoying this album way more than the last two simply for the fun factor; first single "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To" is permanently stuck in my head and I don't mind. "Let It All Hang Out," with lyrics written by Jermaine Dupri, is exactly what you should blast at your next party when you're worried no one's having a good time; and continuing with the obvious theme here is "Can't Stop Partying" with Lil Wayne guest-rapping.
Ultimate TV karaoke If you're obsessed with Glee already, you may want to get your hands on the show's first soundtrack, Glee — The Music, Vol. 1. The offerings on the album are songs that have been on the season so far, plus a few from the next episode. "Don't Stop Believin'," the first song that captured the country's attention, is worth having (especially to remind you that for every awkward Mr. Schu rap, there's a gem like this). There's also the goosebump-inducing "Somebody to Love." Finally, there's one I'm especially excited about that has yet to air: Artie's slowed-down version of Billy Idol's "Dancing With Myself," where the oft-overlooked glee club member finally gets his own episode and electrifying solo.
Hear one more new release when you read more
