Twostepcub's New Albums Roundup 3/12/23...
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.
This week four albums enter in the top ten on the Billboard 200, and five enter that level on the Current Albums Sales list, and only two sets do it on both.
Billboard 200 debut: #1
Billboard Current Albums Sales debut: #6
Choice cut: "Cairo"
The multifaceted Colombian singer becomes the first female artist to top the chart with an all Spanish-language album. Sure, there's some chaff in this seventeen-track record, but there's enough variety to not make this a typical reggaeton slog.
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Billboard 200 debut: #3
Current Albums Sales debut: #1
Official British Albums chart debut: #1
Choice cut: "Oil"
For their eighth studio album, the "virtual" group gathers an eclectic assortment of collaborators with Beck, Thundercat, Bad Dunny, Tame Impala, and this divine appearance from Stevie Nicks.
Billboard 200 debut: #4
British Albums Chart debut: #20
Choice cut: "No More Talk"
Karol G's got nothing on this overbloated monster experiment of Autotune pitching that definitely feels like work to listen it. There's no need to go farther than the first track on this.
Billboard 200 debut: #8
British Albums Chart debut: #36
Choice cut: "If I Had"
It's telling that neither of the two albums in the "trap" genre of rap music that enter in the top ten on the Billboard 200 (that combines sales and streaming) even show up on the pure sales lists. This is disposable tune-out product, though Don shows more glimmers of quality like this collab with the Gap Band's Charlie Wilson.
Billboard 200 debut: #19
Current Albums Sales debut: #2
Choice cut:"Surrender"
The hard rock band continue their string of success on mainstream rock radio, carrying the banner for fist-pumping testosterone. It's professionally done, though not as striking as their previous woek.
Billboard 200 debut: #52
Current Albums Sales debut: #13
British Albums Chart debut: #3
Choice cut: "I Know It Won't Work"
The nepo-baby onslaught trods on with the first full-length release from the daughter of director/producer J.J. Abrams that made the top ten on the British Albums chart. Honestly, it lulled me to sleep.
Billboard 200 debut: #73
Current Albums Sales debut: #9
Choice cut: "Cowboy Boots"
Bentley's tenth album is adequate if not striking, though guest Ashley McBryde takes this song to another level.
Billboard 200 debut: #126
Current Albums Sales debut: #7
British Albums chart debut: #5
Choice cut: "I'm A Man"
This new set from the former American Idol runner-up really harkens back to that period, with all covers, and like the show some are simply karaoke, and some truly inspired, like his take on this nugget from forgotten glam rock master Jobriath.
Billboard 200 debut: #159
Choice cut: "hate to be lame"
This set from the young singer/songwriter came out last April, but is getting traction thanks to her viral hit "Ceilings", but there's much more to discover in this record like this beautiful textured ballad.
Current Albums Sales debut: #18
Choice cut: "Macon If We Make It"
If you're looking for more working-man rock nostalgia, give this set from these Memphis veterans a spin.
Current Albums Sales debut: #19
Choice cut: "Darby Crashing Your Party"
The long-running punk rock outfit is back with just as much sneer and non-PC snark.
Current Albums Sales debut: #38
Choice cut: "Goin' Down To Sing In Texas"
Folk music elder delivers cutting commentary about the state of the world in this new set.
Current Albums Sales debut: #45
Choice cut: "Me And You"
Mobile, Alabama duo go much more organic in their take on country rock in this entertaining listen.
Current Albums Sales debut: #61
Choice cut: "Dark Moon"
The jazz pianist's debut disc is a riveting listen on a rainy night like I'm having now.
Current Albums Sales debut: #68
Choice cut: "Magic Powers"
Fans of the Deal sisters and female-fronted aggro-rock should give this set a try.
Current Albums Sales debut: #83
Choice cut: "Stereo Typical"
On the melodic metal side of rock are these 80s relic reformed with harmonies that rival Fall Out Boy and give some serious guitar crunch that'll take you back in time.
Current Albums Sales debut: #84
Choice cut: "Every Light"
The third collaboration between actor/singer Jensen Eckles (Dean Winchester on TV's Supernatural) and Steve Carlson is a breezy unassuming set perfect for a Sunday afternoon outside.
British Albums Chart debut: #14
Choice cut: "Not The Quiet Type"
Another collab, this time producer-singer Laura Kidd of Pennrock and Rat from Ned's Atomic Dustbin is a burst of energy that carries through its ten songs..
British Albums Chart debut: #22
Choice cut: "Heart Stops Beating"
Get your Scottish angst on with this fiesty sophomore effort from the lad from Mayfield.
British Album Chart debut: #29
Choice cut: "Modernise"
Manchester band combines industrial themes and lyrics with Britpop production in this peppy joint ready for the car.
British Album Chart debut; #55
Choice cut: "Think Of Us Kissing"
Hamish's baritone draws me into this quirky set of lyrics that combine wit and deadpan drama.
And a personal pick that didn't make the charts....
Choice cut: "The Hypnogogue"
Steve Kilbey returns with what might be the final incarnation of the Australian modern rock band, with a sweeping concept album that washes over me in nuanced soundscapes.
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