BuzzSugar

What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:30:45 PDT

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: Not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores, including iTunes. So I take a spin through each week's iTunes music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. In addition to the songs and albums below ,you can also download the new Oasis and Deerhoof albums.

Six years in the making: Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde may be 57 years old, but her voice still sounds amazingly intact. That's a huge part of why most critics are giving this new album the thumbs-up. Are you ready to rock? Then download "Boots of Chinese Plastic" and the title track, "Break Up the Concrete."

Hip-hop with an accent: The Streets is one British guy named Mike Skinner whose rhythms and rhymes I've been enjoying for years now. I was surprised to find he has a new album out today, and from what I've heard so far, I'm really digging it. These new songs are sunnier than he usually is, and I'm thinking about adding "The Escapist" and "I Love You More (Than You Like Me)" to my collection.

One more after the jump, so

read more. Song writing: Rachael Yamagata's new album is a double-disc set that starts out with pretty but sad break-up songs and ends with catchy but angry break-up songs. I'm loving the whole thing so far, but if you just want a taste, I recommend the melancholy "Elephants," the gorgeous "Horizon," and the hard-driving "Faster."

Music Video: Rachael Yamagata Sings "Elephants"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:30:46 PDT

I can remember first discovering Rachael Yamagata when she opened for Ray LaMontagne and instantly falling in love with her music (and her hair). "Be Be Your Love" remains one of my favorite songs (it still gives me chills!) and gets a lot of playtime on my iPod.

She has a new single out, "Elephants," which will be included on her second full-length album, Elephants . . . Teeth Sinking Into Heart, out Oct. 7. The song starts out with delicate piano and surges into something more dramatic. The video for "Elephants" is desolate, and paired with her emotional lyrics about moving on from a relationship, the whole thing is pretty melancholic. If you're looking for a new break-up song, this would be it. You can catch Rachael live on the Hotel Cafe Tour this Fall, and to watch the video, just

First All-Female Hotel Cafe Tour Lineup Looks Awesome (and Affordable!)

BuzzSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:33:50 PDT

For the past four years, the Hotel Cafe Tour has practically been a required gig for musicians on the road to breakout success (coincidentally, that same road often includes stops on shows like Grey's Anatomy and Gossip Girl, and, of course, Old Navy commercials). This year is unique because it's the first time the tour will have an entirely female lineup, sort of like a Lilith Fair for a new generation. What's even more exciting than the acts is how affordable it is - for the San Francisco show that I would like to attend the ticket price is $19!

Each city along the way will feature a handful of artists from the roster, which includes Rachael Yamagata, Ingrid Michaelson, Meiko, Priscilla Ahn, Thao Nguyen, Brooke Fraser, Jenny Owen Youngs, Lenka, Emily Wells, and more. You can see who is playing in your city at the Hotel Cafe's MySpace page, which also says that tickets went on pre-sale "today."

For now, you can check out a little playlist I put together featuring artists from the tour if you

Album Stream: Mandy Moore's Wild Hope

BuzzSugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:44:47 PDT

Judging by the cover art for her new album, Wild Hope, you might surmise that Mandy Moore has transformed herself from teen pop-sensation into grown-up dream-folk girl - and you would be right. On the new album, which hits stores today and which you can now stream at AOL Music, Moore maintains the accessibility of her more bubbly hits while showing off heightened gravitas and a great voice.

Wild Hope uses elements of country rock and folksy ballads, complete with sparse piano, steel guitar, regal strings, and contributions from musicians like Rachael Yamagata. But the songwriting still fits snugly into the realm of pop, which I think is pretty cool. Maybe Moore can help expand the musical horizons of the fans who've been with her since the beginning. Give it a listen and tell me what you think.