New releases: Week of Aug. 31
Oklahoma-Texas band Cross Canadian Ragweed released its seventh studio album, “Happiness and All the Other Things,” on Monday (rather than on the typical Tuesday release schedule).
I’ve been listening to my copy of the album nonstop for the past day or so, and I have yet to find a song on it that I don’t love. From the heartfelt ballad “My Chances” to the rollicking road song “51 Pieces,” the red dirt rockers deliver the goods with “Happiness.”
My favorite songs are probably the evocative “Pretty Lady,” which I can’t wait to hear played live, and “Bluebonnets,” a loving tribute to childhood with an intro from frontman Cody Canada’s little boy Dierks (yes, he was named for Canada’s pal and fellow country singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley).
“I feel like every record we make is a little more thought-out. You know, used to, we would be so excited to make a record, we would just get in there and bang it out and then get back on the road. And now, we have the luxury of saying we’re gonna take off a month and gonna spend the entire month recording. Whether it’s a week of preparation, at least we’re still taking off and getting ready for a record. Because you know, we would practice songs live and then go into the studio and do it and then get back out on the road and do it live and it had changed. Completely changed. And now, we’ll write one and we’ll get to know it and do it the way it needs to be done,” Canada told me in a phone interview earlier this summer.
“And the material, the subject matter, definitely, you can tell I’m getting older. You can tell that the topics are a little more serious. I think every band that starts off has songs about how weary you are on the road. You don’t really know, it just seems first nature to write a song about being on the road because that’s all you know. And the older you get, the more things around you start affecting your writing.”
The band, which was founded in Yukon and nutured in Stillwater, is celebrating its 15th anniversary on Oct. 1. A 15th anniversary deluxe limited edition of “Happiness” is available; it includes a commemorative retrospective poster, three live bonus tracks (”Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground,” “Train To Birmingham,” “Soul Agent”), two hidden tracks (”Carmelita,” “Poopeye”) and a live video download (”Confident”).
Hear Ragweed play some of their new songs and old favorites Thursday at the second annual Cross Canadian Ragweed Border Jam at First Council Casino, 12875 N Highway 77. The show also will feature Stoney LaRue & The Arsenals and other red dirt bands. For more information, call (877) 725-2670 or go online to www.ticketstorm.com.
Here are more CDs, DVDs and books out this week, from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Reverend Horton Heat, “Laughin’ and Cryin’ with Reverend Horton Heat.”
Sam Baker, “Cotton.”
Simple Minds, “Graffiti Soul.”
Robin Guthrie, “Carousel.”
Andrew W.K., “55 Cadillac.”
Casey Donahew, “Casey Donahew Band.”
DVDs
Bring It On: Fight to the Finish
Brothers & Sisters: The Complete Third Season
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – Ninth Season
Desperate Housewives: The Complete Fifth Season
Earth
Heroes: Season 3
Rescue Me: Season 5, Volume One
Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory: Season One
Sin Nombre
State of Play
Sugar
Supernatural: The Complete Fourth Season
Terry Fator: Live From Las Vegas
Two and a Half Men: The Complete Sixth Season
Books
“Catching Fire (Hunger Games Series No. 2)” by Suzanne Collins.
“Clean Food: A Seasonal Guide to Eating Close to the Source with More Than 200 Recipes for a Healthy and Sustainable You” by Terry Walters.
“The Death of Bunny Munro” by Nick Cave.
“The Death of Conservatism” by Sam Tanenhaus.
“Evil at Heart” by Chelsea Cain.
“A Gate at the Stairs” by Lorrie Moore.
“Green: The Beginning and the End (Circle Series No. 0)” by Ted Dekker.
“Homer & Langley” by E.L. Doctorow.
“Spartan Gold” by Clive Cussler.
“Spire” by Richard North Patterson.
“Viola in Reel Life” by Adriana Trigiani.
-BAM
Friday Featured Track
The song that has been on my brain the most this week:
- “You,” Collective Soul, from the new album “Collective Soul” (AKA “Rabbit”).
Since I received my advance copy of the new Collective Soul album a week or so ago, I’ve listened to it with the kind of single-mindedness only a diehard fan can embrace.
In my album review, which I posted here earlier today, I praised the Georgia rockers for their incredible track record of producing superb power ballads.
For this week’s FFT, I want to highlight my favorite of these ballads, the gorgeous “You.” This ballad really soars, with frontman/songwriter Ed Roland passionately paying tribute to his lover without ever getting into the soppy cliches that bog down so many love songs.
Interestingly, “You” is the first song that Collective Soul has ever written as a unit, according to press notes for the album.
The song is Collective Soul at its pop finest and ranks up there with “Tremble for My Beloved” and “Under Heaven’s Skies” as the band’s best ballads.
-BAM
New releases
One of my all-time favorite bands, Collective Soul, delivers its second self-titled album to retail and online stores today.
The album, nicknamed “Rabbit” because of the cover art, is the band’s debut on Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records.
The CD is debuting 14 years after Collective Soul’s first self-titled album, which included the mega-hits “December,” “Gel” and “The World I Know.”
I’ve been listening to my review copy of “Rabbit” virtually nonstop for the past week and a half. It’s definitely a reintroduction to the band, with diverse songs that manage to sound both familiar and fresh to longtime and newer fans.
Look for my review of “Collective Soul” in the coming days.
Here is a list of more CDs, DVDs and books out this week from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Collective Soul, “Collective Soul.”
Willie Nelson, “American Classic.”
Imogen Heap, “Ellipse.”
Arctic Monkeys, “Humbug.”
Colbie Caillat, “Breakthrough.”
Cheap Trick, “Sgt. Pepper Live.”
DVDs
Adventureland
Californication: The Second Season
Duplicity
Fighting
House: Season Five
The Informers
Lie to Me: Season One
Life: Season Two
NCIS: The Sixth Season
One Tree Hill: The Complete Sixth Season
Rudo y Cursi
Samantha Who?: The Complete Second & Final Season
Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season
Smallville: The Complete Eighth Season
Sonny with a Chance: Sonny’s Big Break
The Suite Life on Deck: Anchors Away!
Sunshine Cleaning
Thirtysomething: The Complete First Season
Van Wilder: Freshman Year
Books
“206 Bones (Temperance Brennan Series No. 12)” by Kathy Reichs.
“Alex Cross’s Trial” by James Patterson.
“A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog” by Dean Koontz.
“Blood Promise (Vampire Academy Series No. 4)” by Richelle Mead.
“Even Money” by Dick Francis.
“Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat” by Gwen Cooper.
“Mercy Thompson Homecoming” by Patricia Briggs.
“Resurrecting Midnight (Gideon Series No. 4)” by Eric Jerome Dickey.
“The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe” by J. Randy Taraborrelli.
“The Sibley Guide to Trees” by David Allen Sibley.
“Strength in What Remains” by Tracy Kidder.
“The Style Strategy: A Less-Is-More Approach to Staying Chic and Shopping Smart” by Nina Garcia.
“Tricks” by Ellen Hopkins.
“You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment” by Thich Nhat Hanh.
-BAM
New releases
Oklahoma native Reba McEntire releases her highly anticipated new album “Keep on Loving You” into stores today.
I loved and reviewed the album on Friday; click here to read the review.
Here is a list of new CDs, DVDs and books from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Reba McEntire, “Keep on Loving You.”
Third Eye Blind, “Ursa Major.”
Sister Hazel, “Release.”
Mutemath, “Armistice.”
Ledisi, “Turn Me Loose” (CD/DVD set).
Delbert McClinton & Dick50, “Acquired Taste.”
Herb Alpert, “Anything Goes.”
DVDs
Dexter: The Third Season
Dirty Sexy Money: The Complete & Final 2nd Season
Eli Stone: The Complete Second Season
Everybody Hates Chris: The Final Season
Gossip Girl: The Complete Second Season
Greek: Chapter Three
Hannah Montana: The Movie
iCarly: Season 2 Volume 1
The Last House on the Left
The Last Starfighter 25th Anniversary Edition
Pete’s Dragon
The Simpsons: The Twelfth Season
Sons of Anarchy: Season One
Surveillance
Books
“The White Queen” by Philippa Gregory.
“Baking Cakes in Kigali: A Novel” by Gaile Parkin.
“Born Round: The Secret Hisory of a Full-Time Eater” by Frank Bruni.
“Flat Belly Diet! Cookbook” by Liz Vaccariello.
“The Law of Nines” by Terry Goodkind.
“The Long Snapper: A Second Chance, a Super Bowl, a Lesson for Life” by Jeffrey Marx.
“Princess of Landover” by Terry Brooks.
“Soul of a Dog: Reflections on the Spirits of the Animals of Bedlam Farm” by Jon Katz.
“Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Abyss” by Troy Denning.
“Teaching Hope: Stories from the Freedom Writers Teachers” by The Freedom Writers.
“Vanished” by Joseph Finder.
-BAM
New releases
Country legend George Strait delivers his latest album, “Twang,” today, so country fans are sure to be pleased.
Also, a six-CD limited edition box set dedicated to the 40th anniversary of Woodstock hits shelves today.
In DVDs, find bromance with “I Love You, Man” or celebrate Zac Efron’s wins at Sunday’s Teen Choice Awards with “17 Again.”
And best-selling authors Pat Conroy, Faye Kellerman and Robin Cook have new books available this week.
Here is a list of the week’s new CDs, DVDs and books from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
George Strait, “Twang.”
Various artists, “Woodstock: 40 Years on: Back to Yasgur’s Farm” (six-CD, limited edition set).
Michael Jackson, “The Document Unauthorized.”
The Wailin’ Jennys, “Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House.”
Justin Moore, “Justin Moore.”
Mindy Smith, “Stupid Love.”
Bob Dylan and various artists, “Bob Dylan Radio Radio Vol. 2″ (four-CD set).
DVDs
17 Again
90210: The First Season
Alien Trespass
The Art of War III: Retribution
The Class
Gigantic
I Love You, Man
Road Trip: Beer Pong
Superfriends: The Lost Episodes
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Film Collection
Books
South of Broad by Pat Conroy.
After by Amy Efaw.
Amigoland by Oscar Casares.
The Black Circle (The 39 Clues Series No. 5), Vol. 5 by Patrick Carman.
Blindman’s Bluff (Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus Series No. 18) by Faye Kellerman.
The Eleventh Victim by Nancy Grace.
Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall.
Intervention by Robin Cook.
Once on a Moonless Night by Dai Sijie.
The Prodigal Mage by Karen Miller.
Smash Cut by Sandra Brown.
-BAM
New Releases
3D here with your new releases for the week. In movies, the kid-friendly “Race to Witch Mountain” is out on DVD this week or if you’re feeling more serious “The Soloist” will help you use up some tissues.
In books, reclusive author Thomas Pynchon has a new book out this week. There’s also another in the seemingly endless stream of Michael Jackson biographies.
In music this week, country group “Gloriana” is dropping a self-titled album. Or if you want to hear the music that all those explosions are covering up in the new “G.I. Joe” movie, you can pick up the soundtrack this week.
Here is a list of this weeks new releases in DVDs, CDs, and Books (from Amazon.com):
DVDs
“Race to Witch Mountain”
“Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Second Season”
“The Soloist”
“Harvard Beats Yale 29-29″
“Obsessed”
“Project Runway: Season Five”
“Veggie Tales: Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah’s Umbrella”
“The Love Boat: Season Two, Vol. 2″
“You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story” (Amazon exclusive)
CDs
“Gloriana” by Gloriana
“No One’s First, and You’re Next” by Modest Mouse
“I Get Around” by K’Jon
“Fearless” by Craig and Dean Phillips
“Down by the River” by Mac McAnally
“Faith+Hope+Love” by Hillsongs
“G.I. Joe Soundtrack” by Alan Silestri
“True Love” by Jessy J
“Mind Control” by Tantric
“Unspoiled by Progress” by Walter Trout
Books
“Inherent Vice” by Thomas Pynchon
“That Old Cape Magic” by Richard Russo
“Bad Moon Rising: A Dark-Hunter Novel” by Sherrilyn Kenyon
“The Battle for America 2008: The Story of an Extraordinary Election” by Haynes Johnson and Dan Balz
“In the President’s Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect” by Ronald Kessler
“Ranger’s Apprentice: The Siege of Macidaw: Book 6″ by John Flanagan
“Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story, 1958-2009″ by J. Randy Taraborrelli
“Alex Cross’s TRIAL” by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo
“Bengal’s Heart (Breeds)” by Lora Leigh
—3D
New releases
The Flaming Lips (J. Michelle Martin photo)
Oklahoma alt-rockers the Flaming Lips are releasing a three-song EP titled “Songs From the Future Album Embryonic.” It is available today through all digital retailers, according to FlamingLips.com.
As the title suggests, the EP includes songs from the Lips’ forthcoming double album “Embryonic,” due out later this year.
The EP includes the songs “Convinced of the Hex,” “The Impulse” and “Silver Trembling Hands.” These songs are off the Lips’ first studio album in more than three years, and I’m eager to give them a listen.
Dean Koontz (Associated Press photo)
And I can hardly wait to get to a book store and pick up my copy of Dean Koontz’s long-awaited “Frankenstein: Dead and Alive,” the third and final book in his series reimaging Mary Shelley’s classic horror tale. “Dead and Alive” has been long delayed, so I fervently hope it was worth the wait.
In DVDs, it’s basically a geek’s paradise, with the complete “Battlestar Galactica” series, first season of the cartoon “Spectacular Spider-Man” and the animated “Green Lantern: First Flight” all releasing today.
Here is a list of the week’s new CDs, DVDs and books, from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and The Oklahoman:
CDs
The Flaming Lips, “Songs From the Future Album Embryonic” (three-song EP).
Michael Jackson, “The Stripped Mixes.”
Ashley Tisdale, “Guilty Pleasure.”
Elvis Presley, “From Elvis in Memphis.”
George Thorogood & The Destroyers, “The Dirty Dozen.”
Original Broadway Cast, “9 to 5: The Musical.”
Laurent Korcia, “Cinema.”
Fabolous, “Loso’s Way.”
DVDs
Battlestar Galactica: Season 4.5
Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series
Dollhouse: Season One
Dragonball: Evolution
Fast & Furious
Green Lantern: First Flight
Knight Rider (2008): Season 1
Miss March
Spectacular Spider-Man: The Complete First Season
Torchwood: Children of the Earth
Books
“Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein: Dead and Alive (Book 3)” by Dean Koontz.
“The Girl Who Played With Fire” by Stieg Larsson.
“Hot Pursuit” by Suzanne Brockmann.
“Dying for Mercy: A Novel of Suspense” by Mary Jane Clark.
“Labor Day” by Joyce Maynard.
“Mastered by Love” by Stephanie Laurens.
“Reset: How This Crisis Can Restore Our Values and Renew America” by Kurt Andersen.
“Watch the Skies” by James Patterson, illustrated by Ned Rust.
“Ender’s Game: Battle School” by Christopher Yost, illustrated by Pasqual Ferry.
“A Good Night for Magic (Magic Tree House Series No. 42) by Mary Pope Osborne.
- BAM
New Releases
3D here with your New Releases for this week. In DVDs this week, the big release is the “Watchmen (Director’s Cut).” It must be significantly different than the theatrical release because the runtime has increased by 24 minutes.
After the success of their first venture together, “Silent Thunder”, best-selling author Iris Johansen has once again teamed up with her son Roy for a new novel out this week.
In CDs, there is a special new box set of Michael Jackson’s music out as an import. Originally intended to be released to coincide with his comeback tour, it is now being put out to accommodate the huge surge in sales of the deceased superstar’s music.
Here is a list of the DVDs, CDs, and Books out this week (from Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com):
DVDs
“Watchmen (Director’s Cut)”
“Coraline”
“Psych: The Complete Third Season”
“Pushing Daisies: The Complete Second Season”
“Monk: Season Seven”
“Stargate: SG-1: Children of the Gods”
“Charlie’s Angels: Complete Fourth Season”
“Prison Break: The Final Break”
CDs
“The Collection (5 Disc Set)” by Michael Jackson
“Here We Go Again” by Demi Lovato
“Under the Covers: Vol. 2″ by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs
“Battlefield” by Jordin Sparks
“Burn Burn” by Our Lady Peace
“Murder by Pride” by Stryper
“High Hopes and Heartbreaks” by Brooke White
“All Join In” by Kenny Loggins.
Books
“Storm Cycle” by Iris and Roy Johansen
“Twenties Girl” by Sophie Kinsella (look for BAM’s review of this coming soon)
“Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?” by Neil Gaiman
“A Colossal Failure of Common Sense: The Inside Story of the Collapse of Lehman Brothers” by Lawrence G. McDonald
“The Defector” by Daniel Silva
“Fire and Ice (Joanna Brady Series No. 14)” by J.A. Jance
“Getting It Through My Thick Skull: Why I Stayed, What I Learned, and What Millions of People Involved with Sociopaths Need to Know” by Julie McCarron
“Never Make the Same Mistake Twice: Lessons on Love and Life Learned the the Hard Way” by Nene Leakes
—3D
New Releases
This week in DVDs there is a cornucopia of TV shows, including the first season of Oklahoma boy Christian Kane’s TNT series “Leverage.” Meanwhile in books, apparently the founding of Facebook was more exciting than I realized since there is an entire new tome on the subject.
Here is a list of CDs, DVDs and books hitting stores this week from Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Daughtry, “Leave This Town.”
Pearl Jam, “The Lowdown.”
The Dead Weather, “Horehound.”
Clutch, “Strange Cousins from the West.”
Judas Priest, “A Touch of Evil” (Live).
Celtic Thunder, “Take Me Home.”
Joe, “Signature.”
DVDs
“Leverage: Season 1″
“Mad Men: Season 2″
“Grey Gardens”
“ER: Season 11″
“For All Mankind”
“The State: Complete Series”
“The Color of Magic”
Books
“The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook: A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal” by Ben Mezrich
“Guardian of Lies” by Steve Martini
“Undone” by Karin Slaughter
“The Best of Times” by Penny Vincenzi
“Girl in a Blue Dress” by Gaynor Arnold
“In the Valley of Ancient Rain Gods” by James Lee Burke
“Jericho’s Fall” by Stephen L. Carter
“Sacred Hearts” by Sarah Dunant
“Best Friends Forever” by Jennifer Weiner
—3D
New releases
Son Volt
Jeff Tweedy’s Wilco released its latest record, “Wilco (The Album)” last week, and today it’s his former Uncle Tupelo bandmate Jay Farrar’s turn. Farrar’s band Son Volt sent its new album “American Central Dust” into retail outlets today.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas”
Charles Schultz fans will be interested in “Peanuts: 1960s Collection” on DVD, which includes six of the original animated TV specials featuring the Peanuts gang, including “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” Those ’60s TV specials really hold up well, so that’s a collection worth looking into, though many fans may already own the shows packaged in a different way.
In books, the prolific Nora Roberts has another title in stores, while Vikas Swarup, the novelist behind “Q&A,” the basis for the Oscar-winning film “Slumdog Millionaire,” also has a new book out.
And as the 40th anniversary of Woodstock nears in August, look for the number of CDs, DVDs, movies and books on the subject to rapidly multiply. This week, writer Mike Evans is offering “Woodstock: Three Days That Rocked the World.”
Here is a list of the new CDs, DVDs and books available this week, from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com, BarnesandNoble.com and The Oklahoman:
CDs
Son Volt, “American Central Dust.”
Maxwell, “BLACKsummers’night.”
Hannah Montana, “Hannah Montana, Volume 3.”
Original Broadway cast recording, “Rock of Ages.”
Drive By Truckers, “Live from Austin Texas” (Live CD/DVD set).
All Time Low, “Nothing Personal.”
Jayhawks, “Music from the North Country: The Jayhawks Anthology.”
DVDs
Five Fingers
Kath & Kim: Season 1
Knowing
Murder She Wrote: The Complete Tenth Season
Night Train
Peanuts: 1960s Collection
Petticoat Junction: Official Second Season
Pittsburgh Penguins: 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Champs
Push
Reno 911: The Complete Sixth Season
Third Watch: The Complete Second Season
The Unborn
Books
Black Hills by Nora Roberts
American Adulterer by Jed Mercurio
Boys R Us (Clique Series No. 11) by Lisi Harrison
Burn: A Novel by Linda Howard
The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand
The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells
The Devil’s Punchbowl by Greg Iles
Munson: The Life and Death of a Yankee Captain by Marty Appel
Naruto, Volume 45 by Masashi Kishimoto
Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup
Woodstock: Three Days That Rocked the World by Mike Evans
-BAM
