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New Music Tuesday: 9-21-2010

Good afternoon ya’ll, the weather in Chicago is playing with my emotions this week! It’s gone from hot to cold and back to hot more times than my first lesbian relationship. This week’s releases are a bit all over the map but I think you’ll find a few gems for any music lover’s taste.

This Brooklyn-based indie electro-pop duo has managed to put together an album that is just upbeat enough to keep me going while their dreamy (almost Cure-esque) vocals massage my ovaries and make the hurt go away. Yes, I said it. For that, and for their ability to meld punk, electro, industrial and pop into a cohesive and tangible album, they have earned the top spot.

Stereolab fans will be happy to know frontwoman Laetitia Sadier has what it takes to make a solid solo album. Unfortunately, The Trip was written as part of her grieving process after the suicide of her younger sister, Noelle. I cannot understand most of the lyrics she is singing but the melody with which they are being sung seem to span many different emotions – perhaps just like the seven stages of grief? The album itself is beautiful and very very French. In fact, I think I’m going to have a glass of wine and a cigarette before I go any further.

I’m a newbie when it comes to Shontelle but her R&B grooves with some electro-pop massaging are really good! Her production team has worked with the likes of the queen, Mary J. Blige, Moesha Brandy, LiLo, Justin Bieber and Travie McCoy – and you can definitely hear it. On a sidenote, can we please all agree not to call Travis McCoy “Travie”? I just can’t stand it.

This is the sophomore effort for dark dream-pop singer , and for some reason it’s got me thinking about my high school days. There’s a lightness to her songs that balances the gothic undertones really nicely. Oh, and she knows how to play the keytar, which is totally neat.

When I think Paula Cole, I think Dawson’s Creek, and those are good memories from back when Katie Holmes wasn’t bizarre and was actually really cute. Anywho, Paula hasn’t lost her powerful voice and her raw rock prowess. If you were into her before you’ll be into her now. For you young’uns who haven’t heard her before, she’s worth getting to know, even if she’s starting to sound a bit more religious.

Of all the Disney and Nickelodeon stars who have put out albums, I think Selena is my favorite. She’s cute, she’s poppy, she’s not Miley Cyrus — all of these are great. In all seriousness, she does a really nice job of going electro-pop and I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve watched The Wizards of Waverly Place.

I’m putting this up here only because I’m not really sure what to do with it. I can’t tell if I like it or absolutely hate it. For starters, it’s an alternative album but has elements of metal and R&B. Eartha’s voice reminds me a bit of Kelis — which in general is a big bonus for me. But, if Kelis and Marilyn Manson had a baby, I’m not sure how cute the baby would be (listen to “Hearts of Stone”). But then if Kelis and the Red Hot Chili Peppers had a baby, it might be kind of cute (listen to “What How Why When). Ok, enough of the baby references; check out the music for yourself.

This is pop a la Xtina Aguilera and I’m not hating — especially since Kaci happens to be incredibly easy on the eyes. Trust me, I’ve seen her in person. Will this be album of the year? Probably not – but, there are plenty of club songs that are ripe for the dance floor and the remixing.

Honorable Mentions: Maroon 5, The Hundred in the Hands, Thievery Corporation, Wisin & Yandel, James McCartney, Maximum Balloon (GET THIS ALBUM IT IS SO GOOD), Klaxons, John Legend & The Roots, Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos.

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