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New Release CD's Monday March 31st

It's funny how sometimes the covers of new albums, quite by accident I would imagine, have a very similar feel to them. It must be accidental as the planning process has to be a long and, if I know artists, an arduous one!
I received my copy of the "We Are Scientists - Brain Thrust Mastery" in the post this morning and it has a predominantly black and white cover (I love the live at the Union Chapel bonus disc by the way) and lo and behold, the first two albums I chose for today's reviews also have black and white covers...

"REM - Accelerate" came out today, the follow up to 2004's "Around The Sun" and the stop gap "Live" album released six months ago.
The title gives us a clue to what this record is all about, this is a big step forward for R.E.M. and they have done it by taking a big step back!
Accelerate is the most amped up, aggressive album they have recorded in many a long year. This album was all recorded in a mere nine days we are told. It was recorded fast, and the album is fast, the eleven tracks whistle by in a tad under 34 minutes, and take us right back to the harder post-punk sounds of their pre-major label days.
This album thrills by it's very speed. Accelerate, an apt title indeed!

"Snoop Dogg - Ego Trippin'" is a different kettle of fish, not just in style obviously, but as it contains an impressive 21 tracks, and comes in at 77 minutes!
Maybe more surprisingly, it also has no guest appearances. This is no "Doggy Style" but then Ego Trippin' is the ninth studio album by the Long Beach California based super rapper, and as befits an artist of his longevity features a dynamic blend of different styles and sounds, and of course the now almost compulsory use of a vo-coder.
Named as the title would suggest after Snoop Dogg's desire to make an album of music that he loves, it includes tracks influenced by 80's pop, drawing from Prince, Rick James and George Clinton, some groove influenced R&B and of course the gangsta rap cuts that have made Snoop a hip hop icon.

"Estelle - Shine" will be riding on the wave of the success of new single "American Boy" feat Kanye West, which of course appears on the album.
Signed to her new mentor John Legend's Homeschool Music Label, "Shine" has some of the biggest names in today's chart music appearing as guests; Kanye, Will I Am and Mark Ronson among others. There is also a stunning duet with the man himself, John Legend!
The London born rapper has been flirting on the edge of chart success for some while now and with the single knocking the seemingly unmovable Duffy from top position last week.
Can the album do the same? Only you can make it happen....

"Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple" an aptly named title for the musical duo consisting of producer Danger Mouse and singer and rapper Cee-Lo.
Their sophomore album comes just a few minutes after you last heard the never-to-be-forgotten flagship song from the first album "St Elsewhere", what was it called? Don't tell me you have forgotten, crazy fool!
Almost retro sounding, this album takes influences from soul, funk and R&B with the duo adding their own unique spin ending with a happy upbeat sounding album.
I can imagine this playing on my iPod while I sit on the beach in the sun, cold lager in hand... featuring the singles "Run" and "Whose Gonna Save My Soul", which can both be found on their myspace page along with "Going On" from this album and of course "Crazy".
Nice review here from seattlepi!

See how I subtly got away from the black and white sleeves and ended on glorious technicolour? Well there we are then, some great releases for your pleasure, but if these are not your thang why not check out our full list of New Release CD's and Pre-Release CD's on CD WOW!

New Release DVD's Monday March 31st

Sleep deprivation, it can drive you mad you know! Well I hope that the hour less you had on Saturday night has not had too damaging an effect on your mental health. What do you mean you forgot all about it? Oh dear! So here we go, the summertime has officially begun and with it a few choice DVD releases for those of you that are waiting for things to warm up another few degrees before wandering down to the local pub garden for a pint in the evening!

"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" is the second film by New Zealand born writer-director Andrew Dominik, and is a remarkably similar story line.
Both this film and Chopper are unconventional portraits of real life psychopaths who become the "rock stars" of their respective societies. This film delves into the private life, and public exploits of James, who was far from the "Robin Hood" of his native America.
Nineteen year old Bob Ford seeks to join the James gang out of hero worship for James, having a collection of dime novels he has read and re-read since being a small boy. On joining the gang Bob soon finds himself getting resentful towards his hero...
Starring Brad Pitt as Jesse James (note lads, you may well lose the girlfriend for the evening to this one!) and Casey Affleck as Robert Ford. There are also cameo appearances galore, even one by Nick Cave who wrote the original Soundtrack with Warren Ellis.
Stunning cinematographic work by Roger Deakins means that the landscapes and stages of the film will linger in the memory as long as the story line.

"Hitman: Extreme Edition" is based on the video game franchise, and at times it is difficult to remember if you are watching a film, or playing the game!
The hitman, aka Agent 47, has been educated from his genetically engineered birth to be a highly skilled assassin. His most powerful weapons being his nerve, and an unimaginable pride in his work. Oh yes, I nearly forgot, he also has a couple of mighty fine guns to help in the most awkward situations.
Starring Timothy Olyphant as 47, who also made a rather fabulous appearance in Die Hard 4.0.
Also features the luscious Olga Kurylenko, who will also star as the Bond Girl "Camille" in Quantum Of Solace, as the love interest. And Dougray Scott as the Interpol investigator obsessed with capturing agent 47.
If you are an aficionado of the game-play you might be disappointed by the lack of stealth action which is a critical part of the game, but apart from that this film does exactly what it says on the tin!!
Here is a romantic moment from the film from our friends at You Tube.

"Black Sheep" is one of those rare cinema treats, a comedy horror film no less.
Now, how you may ask can you turn a field full of fluffy white sheep into the sort of dreams that wake you up at night? Well my friends, genetic engineering is the answer, nightmare!
Directed by Jonathan King, this film follows a similar style to Peter Jackson's earlier films such as 'Bad Taste' and "Braindead".
Based in New Zealand, where there are I am told some 40 million sheep, Henry (Nathan Meister) has a crippling phobia of sheep. This is a bit of a problem as he is half owner of a sheep farm with his brother Angus (Peter Feeney). He returns to the farm to sell his half share to his brother, and rid himself of the sheep for ever, unaware that his twisted bro is running genetic experiments on the poor beasts.
A couple of activists unwittingly release a genetically modified lamb and the dinner tables my friend are turned... there are sheep out there, and they ain't too happy!!
Is there a black sheep in your family? Makes you think eh? Here is a very funny blog from nycstories!

"August Rush" is a sickly sweet American film following the story of a young orphan, named Evan Taylor (Freddie Highmore).
Evan is the product of a quick but meaningful meeting of two young musicians, an Irish guitar player Louis Connelly (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and a famous concert cellist Lyla Novacek (Keri Russell).
As you would expect in this type of film they are separated soon after their liaison, but then the plot takes a harder-to-believe course when the girl has an accident and is told by her father that the baby has died!
He then gives it away to adoption, forging her signature. Evan grows up in an orphanage where he hears music in everything. His desire to find his parents leads him eventually to New York where he comes under the wing of "Wizard" (Robin Williams). It's nice to see Williams playing a "Bad" guy for a change!
This film has a great Original Soundtrack which I'm sure we all remember from the Oscars!

Not for you? Then why not check out all the forthcoming new release DVD's at CD WOW!

Live In Concert Is Just A (Rolling) Stones Throw Away

A recently started new phenomenon is that of the "go to a gig at the cinema" experience. The live music scene is booming and some of our bigger artists and promoters are using modern technology to bring the live event to ever more people.
In January Radiohead announced an intimate gig for 200 people in London, but not to fear, if you could not get down to London and queue in the freezing rain for hours on the off chance that you would get in... you could watch the whole performance in real time via their radiohead.tv website.
Recently The Kills have launched their new album "Midnight Boom" with a series of gigs at cinemas, and last year Take That had live showings of their tour "Beautiful World" at Vue cinemas across the country.
Muse, Genesis and Kylie have all jumped on the same bandwagon, and fair play to them, tickets are ever harder to get hold of, and if you live in the sticks a cinema might be an easier and cheaper option to see your favourite bands.
No more the sticky floors, or muddy fields, but a nice comfortable cinema seat with coke and popcorn on tap, now what could be wrong with that?

And now, Martin Scorsese is responsible for another must see addition to the Music Concert category.
"Shine A Light" stars the Rolling Stones, a career spanning documentary this film is however predominantly a record of two shows in New York, shot over two nights at the intimate, for them, Beacon Theatre.
The film shows all but two of the numbers played on those two nights and has some songs never before played live, some stunning guests, and cut with old documentary footage to tell the story is nothing short of a masterpiece.
The Stones have decided to make the film premier the biggest in UK cinema history. On Wednesday, April 2nd it will be broadcast live from Leicester Square to 100 theatres across the UK.
Tickets are just £12.50 each, and with that you get a special edition Tour Tee Shirt! Bargain! For a short pre-view and to book your tickets use this link.
The double CD Soundtrack "Shine A Light" is available now for pre-order from your favourite guys at CD WOW!

This is of course just a new twist on a very old tale, cinemas have been showing popular music for many a long year, some of the films were documentary style, like the fabulous "Jimi Hendrix".
Some featured pop stars of their day, I guess the Beatles would be the most famous with films like "Help" and so the list goes on.
Then there was the actual live music films, but of course these came out after the even. None of this simultaneous broadcast business!
The greatest ever festivals fall into this category... "Woodstock" was captured on film and shown in cinemas with multi split screen angles, "The Concert For Bangladesh" filmed over two shows at Madison Square Gardens, "Stop Making Sense" featured Talking Heads and said to be the greatest concert film to date when it first came out, and the fantastic "The Last Waltz" a film by Martin Scorsese about "The Band".

Mike Oldfield brings us 'Music Of The Spheres'

Mike Oldfield's - Music Of The Spheres entered the UK charts at #9 this week. His first release since 2005's "Light And Shade", this album is seen as his first truly Classical music piece, although the "Orchestral Tubular Bells" was in it's own right a classically performed version of his most well known 1973 recording - Tubular Bells.

Richard Branson walked the recording around the record shops in London and elsewhere to promote it's release, and the record was instrumental in the foundation of the Virgin Record Label, and consequentially Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Empire, Phew!!

Anyway back to "Music Of The Spheres" - Oldfield's 24th Studio release is based on an ancient theory.
In his own words "Musica Universalis is the ancient theory that every celestial body, the sun, the moon and the stars has an inner music. This is a harmonic and mathematical concept derived from the movements of the planets in the solar system. The music created is inaudible to the human ear. Music of the Spheres is my interpretation of this theory. Every planet and every star; even the whole universe has music within it that no-one can hear, this is what it would sound like if it was set free. This is Music of the Spheres."

As mad as a tree, or sheer genius?? Featuring performances from Classical vocalist Hayley Westenra and acclaimed pianist Lang Lang, this piece is a true Modern Classic that deserves your attention, young or old.
Here is an excerpt from the Mike Oldfield - Music Of The Spheres EPK, courtesy of our friends at YouTube!

Vince Power - The Mean Fiddler Hops Back...

The founder of Mean Fiddler, Vince Power, presumably now free of his non competitive clause since selling his stake in the Mean Fiddler group, has returned to the UK with a brand new festival, A Day At The Hop Farm.

Nothing new there you might say, but wait, you would be wrong. The legendary Vince who was instrumental in the success of such events as Glastonbury, Reading, Leeds, Fleadh and Madstock to name a few, has proudly boasted that this festival will be "totally unbranded without any sponsorship, ticket registration or VIP areas". All tickets will be the same price and there will be no Golden Circle or special areas.

After the success of his Spanish summer festival in Benicassim dubbed by many as "Glastonbury by the sea", itself attracting many UK festival goers, A Day At The Hop Farm will be headlined by Neil Young.
No doubt Neil will be playing some songs from his recent album Chrome Dreams II and other classics such as "Heart Of Gold" to be found on his Greatest Hits album.
The Canadian Folk/Rock legend is himself a huge attraction, but we are promised yet more headline bands which will be announced in the forthcoming weeks.

After being accosted by a horde of credit card application form wielding people when entering the O2 Wireless in Hyde Park last year I wish him every success! The festival takes place on Sunday July 6th in Kent.
Tickets are still available so go on Hop to it you Easter Bunnies...

Check out the blog at Drowned In Sound.

New Release CD's - Easter Monday 24th March

I was sat in my office yesterday evening, it was just gone 5:30 and still light! I am soooo looking forward to the summer, and the festivals. Maybe you can catch a few of this weeks new release artists appearing at one near you over the coming months...

The long awaited debut album from Oxford based Foals is called "Antidotes". Their dance beat based tunes featuring driving percussion, guitars played above the 12th fret with no chords, brass and splashes of synth have resulted in so called Dance Rock.
Their live show is becoming legendary and, taking the launch of the new album seriously, they have just embarked on a gruelling 45 date tour taking in the UK, Europe, Japan and the US so be sure to check them out at a venue near you soon.

Another band hailing from the fine City of Oxford, although somewhat more established, Supergrass also have an album "Diamond Hoo Ha" released on the same day,
Having had no fewer than 14 singles in the UK top 40 this, their sixth studio album has a harder rock edge than their previous more "Brit Pop" offerings like "Alright" and "Pumping On Your Stereo"
The single "Bad Blood" is a reminder of their more vigorous youth but Supergrass have matured, and not in a bad way as can be seen by this video of the title track "Diamond Hoo Ha" courtesy of our friends at YouTube.

Well Easter weekend is traditionally when the various football leagues are won or lost, although this year it might be a bit early, they say that football is a game of two halves and so is the new Counting Crows offering "Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings".
So much so that it even features two different producers, Gil Norton has produced the trademark rock sound that you would expect from the Crows on the first half, "Saturday Nights".
And Brian Deck takes over for the acoustic led almost country sounding "Sunday Mornings" second half.

The new album "Red" by the melodic Indie misfits the "Guillemots" has been getting some rave reviews. Check out this blog from music OMH.
This is their second release and has all of the optimism and instrumental prowess of their first full length offering "Through The Window Pain" but exudes a new found confidence.
The lead single "Get Over It" being a prime example of this. The rich orchestration from the first album is still present but this album has a more electronic leaning. Almost every band has that difficult second album, not the Guillemots, this one leaves you longing for the third!! 

For those of you that have a more "sophisticated" taste in music, this is the new release by David Garrett.
This guy is amazing. Now 25, he has been surprising people since he was 4 years old when, without any lessons, he picked up a violin and started playing it!
Part Maverick, part Genius but 100% a "Virtuoso", this album showcases his amazing abilities from classical standards, to his interpretation of Metallica's Nothing Else Matters!
This is an album for all of you, whether you are a classical music fan or not this guy is pure class and David's favourite band of all time is Led Zeppelin, so he's OK by me!

The emo inspired American rockers Panic At The Disco offer up their second full length album "Pretty Odd".
Their first album "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out" spawned three UK hit singles and I am sure that the first singles from this album "Nine In The Afternoon" and "That Green Gentlemen" will be no exceptions.
One thing though, don't you think the cover is remarkably like The Faces "Ogden's Nut Gone Flake"  No? Really? Aren't they both old tins? Maybe it's just me..

Not your bag? Then why not check out our full list of New Release CD's and Pre-Release CD's on CD WOW!

Well there we are then, some great releases for your aural entertainment. Easter is upon us and we head towards the, hopefully, long and warm summer. And by the way, don't forget the clocks go forward on Sunday 30th! Nice long evenings...

New release DVD's Easter Monday March 24th

As always the weather forecast for the long(est) weekend, our first of the year, is pretty awful. No surprise there then. I'm sure it's a conspiracy!
As usual the Telly will be the same old, same old... so maybe by Monday you will fancy a new DVD. Here are a few picked from this weeks New Releases;

The timely thriller Rendition is centred on the controversial CIA practise of extraordinary rendition where individuals suspected of terrorism are removed from America and interrogated in a "hostile" environment, based on the true story of Khalid El-Masri who was mistaken for Khalid al-Masri.
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Omar Metwally and Reese Witherspoon the film follows Isabella (Witherspoon) as she tries to discover the whereabouts of her husband Anwar (Metwally) who is being interrogated by Douglas Freeman (Gyenhaal). There is also a sub plot, but I'm sure you will want to find this out yourselves!
Directed by Gavin Hood, best known for his academy award winning Tsotsi this is a tense, almost too true to life thriller....

The Australian film December Boys is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Noonan. The story of four young lads from an orphanage in the outback, all born in the month of December they are the first group to be sent on holiday.
Their enjoyment of the freedom and beach life, and their deep rooted friendship is tested when one of the boys discovers there may be a chance of adoption for one of them. Deep rivalry develops as they compete for the ultimate prize, a "normal" life.
Starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) as Maps, the only one not caught up in the bitter fight as he is embarking on his first love affair with Lucy (played by Teresa Palmer). Also stars Lee Cormie as Misty, Christian Byers as Spark and James Fraser as Spit. The film was directed by Rod Hardy. 

For those of you that can't get enough of those TV cop series, here is the next instalment of one which breaks the conventional formula used by all the othersThe Shield (Season 6).
Set in Baltimore, the series focuses on the tension between a group of corrupt but effective cops and a captain torn between bringing them down and advancing his own political ambitions.
Staring Michael Chiklis as rogue cop "Det. Vic Mackey," leader of the elite Strike Team unit, who is effective at eliminating crime but who operates under his own set of rules.
Benito Martinez plays "Captain David Aceveda," the young precinct head who doesn't like Mackey's tactics and wants to bust him off the force. And the Emmy-nominated CCH Pounder (ER & Boycott), plays "Det. Claudette Wyms," a veteran detective who understands Mackey and knows how to play both sides of the fence.
'One of the edgiest, rawest shows on telly' - Total Film.

If old classic films are your thing then you could do far worse than pick up a copy of La Notte.
Another in the fantastic Masters Of Cinema series, this film is considered to be the middle in a trilogy of films by Director Michelangelo Antonioni, the others being L'avventura and L'eclisse.
It depicts a husband and wife, and the effect on their relationship of the death of a close friend. Two giants of film-acting come together as the married couple living in crisis: Marcello Mastroianni and Jeanne Moreau.
Photographed in rapturous black-and-white by the great Gianni di Venanzo, La Notte presents the beauty of seduction, then asks: "When did this occur - this seduction of Beauty?"
Michelangelo Antonioni's haunted odyssey is released in a new digital restoration, uncut for the first time ever on DVD. 

And finally, and not for the faint hearted either, is my last choice The Condemned, directed and written by Scott Wiper.
Heading the cast is WWE star Steve "Stone Cold" Austin. If you have ever seen the Japanese film Battle Royale this will bear an uncanny resemblance!!
The plot centres around Jack Conrad (Austin) a dangerous criminal who is waiting for execution in prison, purchased by a wealthy TV producer and transported to a deserted island in the South Pacific along with nine other condemned criminals, they are "offered" the opportunity to avoid capital punishment and win back their freedom by fighting to the death in an illegal game to be filmed and broadcast live over the Internet. It's a wonderful thing the internet you know...

Not for you? Then why not check out all the forthcoming new release DVD's at CD WOW! now...

Duffy vs Leona in UK Singles Battle

The top spot in the UK singles chart was won for the fifth week in a row by a jubilant Duffy with her hit 'Mercy'. Her album "Rockferry" remains at #1 in the album chart for a second week. I'm not one to say "told you so", but I did predict this as being a huge album a few weeks ago!

'Mercy' just managed to keep Leona Lewis from the top spot, beating her double A side 'Better In Time / Footprints In The Sand', both taken from her album "Spirit", by just over 300 units.

Is this a just result? You see, download sales of the second track are excluded from the tally. If these had been included Leona would have been #1!
With sales of over 7,500 units 'Footprints in the Sand' was at #25 in the chart as a stand alone track.
I don't suppose Duffy or Leona are too worried as both are sitting very pretty at the top of the pops!

Meanwhile, Leona's biggest fan (and promoter) Simon Cowell has been busy showing her off in the US. You can check out her performance and interview on Oprah right here... thanks to the lads at YouTube.
They're comparing her to Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston (presumably before things went pear shaped!). It might be a bit early for those comparisons but she does comes across as a genuinely nice person... just like Simon... so good luck to them.
Fair play to Simon though, but you can practically see the $$ signs in his eyes! And sure why not.   

Not sure if her American Idol performance ever worked out... but I'll post here if anything crops up. There are rumours of a semi final appearance?

Coldplay - New Release news!

OK, I'll write a full review of this album when there is more detail available, but as you can see above, the Coldplay website yesterday announced that the new album should be finished by the end of this week. A tracklisting should be available in the next couple of days, so keep checking!!
Also announced was the title of the new set "Viva La Vida, or Death and all his Friends".

It's a tribute to the late Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. One of her more famous paintings was of watermelons, one of which has the words Viva La Vida carved into the flesh, and hence the title.
We've included a picture of it just so you can impress all of your friends with your knowledge of the piece!
Apparently another great fan of her work is Madonna. So there you go.

The album is due out on June 16th, Coldplay recorded the new set in Spain and a message on their official website last year said the sessions "bore the influence of the region".
It is also reputed to be a radical departure for the four piece band. Well I for one can't wait, and you lucky people can pre-order Vivre La Vida now for the staggeringly low price of just £7.99 at CD WOW! Wow, no I really mean it, WOW!!!

Easter Games Released 20th March

Easter weekend is coming up so I thought I would have a look at something a little bit different in the way of a games release this week.
Something family friendly and get away from all the blood and guts of the war games that I have had a look at over the last couple of weeks.

However, if you did like them you will love the New Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2, coming out on PS3 and XBox. If you are a PC gamer you will have to wait until 11th April for your version, but enough of that, my pick of the games this week is:

Sega Superstars Tennis, again coming out on PS3 and XBox this is a great game that brings together some of the most well-known characters from the SEGA universe, in some of the most unusual courts and outrageous settings you could ever imagine.

With over 15 playable SEGA idols including Sonic the Hedgehog, AiAi from Super Monkeyball fame, Ulala of Space Channel 5 and Amigo from Samba De Amigo. Each character will come equipped with their own superstar tennis skills in addition to unique attributes, putting a whole new spin on each match played!

Exhibition mode offers the chance to challenge Sonic, or the character of your choice, to a match on one of many courts, including Sonic's home court, Green Hill Zone, or Amigo's Carnival Park court, I like the look of the House Of The Dead Court!
Whichever you choose there will be a host of Sega celebrities cheering you on from court side and by taking part in crazy doubles matches with your choice of partner, you could end up playing against some pretty unusual couples.
There is also a Tournament Mode where you can prove your SEGA hero is the shining star of SEGA Superstars Tennis by collecting silverware, and as you smash and lob your way through the four tournaments you can unlock a host of hidden bonus content on the way...
Here is a trailer courtesy of those nice folk at YouTube.

Great Game, just right for a long weekend. Not for you? Then why not check out the Games Pre Release section on CD WOW!