Twostepcub's New Albums Roundup 2/5/23...
It's time for my weekly new albums roundup, where I take a look at the
big albums on this week's American and British albums charts, along with
my choices of the new records I think you should check out. To catch up
on this week's singles round, you can click here.
There are two new albums in the top ten on this week's Billboard 200 chart, which tabulates both sales and streaming of albums as well as tracks from said albums (don't get me started). One is worth checking out, but first the other which is not...
Billboard Current Albums Sales debut: #6
Official British Albums chart debut: #79
Choice cut: "CRZY TRAIN"
I'm more surprised this one debuted at #6 on the sales chart - I don't know who would want to continuously own this collection of high-pitched auto-tuned whines. They only track approaching something different that a million other "trap" records is "CRZY TRAIN", which clearly is titled to evoke the Ozzy Osbourne classic that this doesn't sample but uses generic guitar hooks, but then again it features Travis Scott.
(Click below to see the rest of the post)
Billboard 200 debut: #4
Current Albums Sales debut: #1
Choice cut: "Wait In The Truck"
Country singer/songwriter (Michael Wilson) HARDY delivers his second proper studio album, and as opposed to the previous above, is quite full of great songs, with this dark domestic violence revenge story as well as the alcohol-fueled "JACK" two of the many highlights.
Billboard 200 debut: #18
Current Albums Sales debut: #3
Official British Albums chart debut: #5
Choice cut: "Gossip"
Italian Eurovision Song Contest winners that went international not for the song that won, come through with their first album since winning the show back in 2021. This feisty slice of power-pop is backloaded with the singles released in the interim at the end, but prove they still have lots to give with this new one with Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello.
Billboard 200 debut: #151
Choice cut: "Paint It, Black"
I mean, it's the freaking Rolling Stones, so I have to recommend this collection of the iconic band's 1960's output which originally came out in 2016 on CD, but its vinyl pressing caused its first entry on the chart this time out. I'm always partial to stereo recordings usually, but some of their classics like "Paint It, Black" are served by mono well, and the extra disc of non-album "stray tracks" are the real prizes here.
Billboard 200 debut: #190
Choice cut: "Falling Apart (Right Now)"
After a digital soft launch of their 12th album on their own label, indie country rock legends Wilco finally release their set physically, and its a double-stuffed gem of stories that rival the best of the genre back in the early 70s.
Current Albums Sales debut: #10
Choice cut: "Atrium"
Swedish goth rockers take notes from the success of fellow countrymen Ghost in making their music tighter and more melodic and it works well for them.
Current Albums Sales debut: #31
Choice cut: "Story Of Blood"
The poster boy for art rock since his days with the Velvet Underground, Cale is now 80 years old but not any less vital with this collection of varied textures in song and well-placed collaborations.
Current Albums Sales debut: #34
Choice cut: "Nelsonwood Lane"
Unassuming indie-rock singer/songwriter Maeson's sophomore full length is an interesting listen that comes with some real surprises like this somber number.
Current Albums Sales debut: #39
Official British Albums chart debut: #67
Choice cut: "City Of Angels"
The British electro-pop act's second release since their regrouping is an ethereal set of synthpop gems that bring me memories of the Cocteau Twins and such.
Current Albums Sales debut: #44
Official British Albums chart debut: #6
Choice cut: "Crazy Horses"
The Black Star Riders were members of the band Thin Lizzy when Phil Lynott died, and this is their fifth album under the new incarnation, and it's a non-stop fist-pumping ride, including this pretty damn respectable version of the Osmond Brothers song.
Current Albums Sales debut: #61
Official British Albums chart debut: #89
Choice cut: "Friend Or Foe?"
Polish progressive metal band bring some synthpop elements to their solid latest album, especially this opener which remind me of a-ha.
Current Albums Sales debut: #68
Choice cut: "1974"
The passing of folk-rock icon David Crosby has spurred the sales of his albums with Crosby Stills & Nash, as well as his most recent release from December, a magical live set that shows him still strong.
Current Albums Sales debut: #81
Choice cut: "Portland"
If you're looking for a relaxing instrumental disc to play on your Sunday morning, take this one from experimental musician Demarco.
Official British Albums chart debut: #1
Choice cut: "Cash In Hand & Fake IDs"
You gotta give props to this British band for topping the charts with a self-released album, and it's so so deserved. A great trip back to the melodic Britpop days as well as the jangle-emo of the Smiths.
Official British Albums chart debut: #16
Choice cut: "Only Good Things"
Speaking of the Smiths, this Irish post-punk band sports the fey wit Morrissey was famous for in their second album.
and now for one that didn't make the charts this week...
Choice cut: "Less From You"
My favorite album of the week is this synthpop marvel from the veteran indie-rockers that just made my world. Put all your favorites from the 80s in a blender and this may come out.
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