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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media

New Music Tuesday: 11-3-09

So much great new music is out today. Let's get into it!!

Kate EarlKate Earl (Universal Republic)

Kate Earl has a great R&B, pop-reggaeton sound and an interesting background. She grew up in Alaska, the daughter of a Dutch/Welsh father and Filipino motherl and would sing in her parents' gas station as a child (she's already cooler than Jewel in my book).

When she could, she finally flew out to L.A. and started making a name for herself. Now she's friends with the boys in Maroon 5 and currently touring the country with them. (Oh, and she's totally hot. What is it about aggressive bangs and the ability to play harmonica that I find so attractive?) You can stream her entire album at her website.

Carrie UnderwoodPlay On (Arista)

Even though my ex once sang "Before He Cheats" while staring at me at a karaoke bar (after we had broken up and boy, was it awkward) I'm still excited for Carrie's latest album. I'm not usually into country but it's impossible to deny she's got a great voice. Besides, most of her stuff is pop-country so it doesn't really count.

AmerieIn Love & War (Island Def Jam)

Oddly enough, it was only yesterday that I finally saw an Amerie video and it was on Logo's Pop Lab. This is her fourth studio album so she must be doing something right.

Girls In TroubleGirls in Trouble (Jdub Records)

For the more gothic-folksy music-lovers, Girls in Trouble is an exciting new band to get into. They've dedicated the songs on their debut album to the women of the Bible. I am not one to go to any theological seminars, but the album is packed with impressive storytelling and the great voice of frontwoman/violinist Alicia Jo Rabins.

Serena RyderIs It O.K. (Atlantic Records)

Serena Ryder's voice has both a masculine and feminine quality that I think a lot of us gal pals can appreciate. To me, she sounds like Melissa Etheridge meets Melissa Ferrick while they perform a rock 'n roll cover of a bluegrass song. She’s already big in Canada and has taken home the 2008 Juno prize for Best New Artist and this latest release has won the Adult Alternative Album of the Year.

Did I miss anything that absolutely needs to be talked about? Sure, there’s new music from Julian Casablancas, Yeasayer and Vagina Panther, but who else?

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  • Kay's picture

    Serena

    I could have sworn that I was listening to Serena Ryder's "Is it OK" last year around this time, because I know I had the album in my 2008 music reviews. Would this be a re-vamped version? It's a great album, nonetheless.
    Mara's picture

    Serena Ryder

    "Is it o.k." was released in Canada around this time last year. Now, the album will be released in the US. (I have been listening to it on and off (more on than off) since I got my hands on a copy last year.)

    _ _ _ _ _

    "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." (Dr. Seuss)

    Kay's picture

    Is It Ok

    Ah, that explains it. I must have found the Canadian release last year. In this age of digital technology where everyone world-wide can get digital downloads, it surprises me that they still have separate release dates of the same album for different countries - especially a year or two apart.

    Anyway, "Is it OK" is definitely an album people need to hear!

    Mara's picture

    It's more than just o.k.

    I concur - and I've been plugging Serena Ryder with friends on both sides of the Atlantic for quite a while now. Of all the albums she's released "Is it o.k." is by far the best, imo.

    Folks can listen to it for free on her MySpace page:

    http://www.myspace.com/serenaryder

    _ _ _ _ _

    "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." (Dr. Seuss)

    alex's picture

    ooh!

    freelance whales!! SO good. check out Listening and the Generator tracks.

    oh, and she's been around for a little while, but Ellie Goulding is finally blowing up! (under the sheets!!)

    and i guess id be remiss if i failed to mention how much (albeit well deserved) press the New Moon soundtrack is getting. It leaked a few weeks ago, but Im in love with Sea Wolf's track, The Violet Hour. It's like Bright Eyes, the Arcade Fire and the National all rolled into one amazing song.

    -----------
    tunes, snark and such: http://rightmindleftcoast.wordpress.com

    Snoodit's picture

    Don't forget

    Volume 1 of the "Glee" soundtrack is also out today. Some great stuff there from Lea Michele and company!
    Rose as Romeo's picture

    Streaming

    If you click on Kate Earl in the title of her entry, you can get to the streaming on Myspace but when you go to this link "stream her entire album at her website," you end up at her website (which has lyrics) but not at streaming.

    By the way, great recommendation with Kate Earl. The music video for Melody has both beautiful music and...adhem...interesting visuals. I haven't stopped streaming the music since I found the page. It's really good! Definitely either the top or near it on my buy list.

    ~"All the blondes are fantasies" (Metric, "Sick Muse")~...Well, duh!

    Hornito's picture

    Actually

    Glad you like the Kate Earl rec - I had never heard of her before doing some digging but she's great. If you go to her site, you can stream the entire album, song by song, in the right rail of her pages. But yes, you can totally stream it on myspace as well!
    Rose as Romeo's picture

    Streaming

    When I went on again today, my browser finally decided to load the streaming portion of her website. Thanks for pointing it out--I don't know how I missed it.

    One weird thing is that when I go to buy the album (she really impressed me, and new artists that already have that good of music need to be supported), one part of the website says $5.99, but when you click on go to iTunes and Amazon, they say $7.99. Not a big deal, but it means I'll probably wait a few more days before buying. Anyone else encounter this?

     

    ~"All the blondes are fantasies" (Metric, "Sick Muse")~...Well, duh!

    TehMorp's picture

    are you serious?

    you didn't mention rickie lee jones's new album, a balm in gilead, which came out today? okay, you're probably thinking she's not queer enough--but for real: "jolie jolie" and "rebel rebel" should qualify her as queer enough for anybody!

    and by the way, her cover of "rebel rebel" was almost the theme song for "boys don't cry" , except david bowie's people wanted too much money out of the deal. and even that doesn't qualify her?

    Hornito's picture

    She's totally qualified

    You've got me all wrong! She's totally qualified - the abum just wasn't on my radar or my gaydar apparentlly. I knew I'd be missing out on a bunch of great albums, that's why I asked who I missed. I'm glad you pointed it out though! You can actually stream the entire thing - for free girl - on Spinner all week!
    TehMorp's picture

    lol, whew

    I actually figured no one had heard of her, so I was just pretending to be incensed at her exclusion in order to get her name out here. ;p so the situation is much better than I thought! thanks :D
    shelbydoma's picture

    i've been listening to

    i've been listening to carrie underwood's cd nonstop alll day.

    that woman is absolutely perfect! 

    Jessica's picture

    I agree ive can't get enough

    I agree ive can't get enough of this women, she is truly amazing. Glad to hear someone else on here likes her.
    kim's picture

    sara haze

    she's a local southern california singer. her album also just came out today. shes pop rock if anyone wants to check her out :)

    http://www.myspace.com/sarahaze

    Gidget777's picture

    New music

    Have a listen to the wonderful Megan Washington and her band Washington.  She recently performed on Spicks and Specks and brought one of the co hosts to tears!

    Not only extremely talented but sexy too.

     

     www.myspace.com/meganwashington 

    Hornito's picture

    oooh

    Her video for "How to Tame Lions" is pretty cool too!
    dadevi's picture

    Yay!

    I love Amerie's music! I've been a fan ever since her album "Touch".
    Paula Copeland's picture

    New Music

    This is a great write-up on these artists. Thank you so much for doing this. I love hearing about new artists as well as the new albums that some of our favorites are coming out with. casino en ligne
    Hornito's picture

    aww

    Thanks Paula! Happy to make it for ya'all. If you have any suggestions about albums coming out from artists you like, feel free to lemme know and I'll try to include them.