New Music Tuesday

Apologies for the late publication. It's been one of those weeks... Time to soothe that savage beast with some fresh music!

Pop/Rock

* Nicole Atkins, Mondo Amore  $13.95
The New Jersey singer-songwriter's follow-up to her critically praised 2007 Neptune City.  A lot has changed since then, including Atkins' band and label, but what remains is the artist's dramatic, orchestra "pop noir." 

* Drew Holcomb, Chasing Someday  $12.95
"To counter the Nashville hokum-heavy stereotype of big hats, steel guitars and tear-in-your-beer emotion of a man's relationship with his tractor, there's the gloriously un-twang music of Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors.Holcomb's savvy combination of earnest midwestern rock and folksy southern charm have burnished his reputation and dramatically expanded his audience."

* Jessica Lea Mayfield, Tell Me  $15.95
The singer-songwriter's second album is produced by Black Keys guitarist Dan Auerbach, who brings fuzzed-out guitars and a retro spirit and sound to Mayfield's songs.  The eclectic mix blends bits of blues, country and jazz. 

* Various, The Music Inside: Collaboration Dedicated to Waylon Jennings  $10.95
A tribute to the music of the country music legend.  Contributors include Jamey Johnson, Shooter Jennings, Patty Griffin and more. 

* Over the Rhine, Long Surrender  %15.95  DEMO
The husband and wife duo's new album is produced by iconic songwriter and instrumentalist Joe Henry.  In addition to providing instrumental help, Henry contributes his trademark atmospheric touch, as well as an increasing jazz emphasis to the duo's cinematic folk-pop. 

* Danny Schmidt, Man of Many Moons  $17.95
"The arrangements are bare and revealing. It's just Danny and guitar with bass, a tiny bit of piano and harmonica, and some haunting vocal support from fellow Red House artist, Carrie Elkin and Raina Rose. The songs center around the tricky concept of commitment, and the result is another glimpse into the complicated psyche of this talented, Austin-based emerging singer-songwriter."

* Teddy Thompson, Bella  $13.95
Thompson's fifth album of melodic folk-pop.  The son of Richard and Linda Thompson fills Bella with more upbeat, buoyant melodies than on previous efforts.  The album also continues the artist's recent flirtation with Roy Orbison-esque classic country. 

* Wailin' Jennys, Bright Morning Star  $17.95  DEMO
The third studio album by the Canadian female trio highlights the Jennys strength as songwriters and instrumentalists, as well as harmony vocalists.  Heather Masse, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody composed all but one of the album's tunes, which weave traditional and contemporary folk and americana. 

New Age

* Yanni, Truth of Touch  $16.95
The new age legend's first new collection since 2003.  Yanni's compositions bring together the orchestral with the electronic, incorporating world music influences throughout.