Traditionally, December is the slowest month of the year for CD sales—and only blockbuster artists are generally brave enough to compete against Black Friday deals on everything from TVs to toasters. However that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a handful of releases coming out in the final month of 2009 that are worth you’re hard-earned cash. Here we highlight five discs that will all make perfect stocking stuffers for your family regardless of whether you’re shopping for a classic rock aficionado or an indie rock enthusiast. Just remember that ultimately it’s the thought that counts.
The Bravery: Stir The Blood: It seems like it was a lifetime ago that the Bravery were feuding with the Killers for the synth-pop crown. While the Killers won that battle, the Bravery may ultimately with the war with their third album Stir The Blood. The disc, which is a lively mix of energetic rock music with goth flourishes, sees the Bravery channeling their emotions into music that sounds far more timeless than trendy as evidenced on expansively arranged songs like “Slow Poison.” If you’ve written off the Bravery as another act who got chewed up and spit out by the musical hype machine, Stir The Blood should prove that apparently the band just needed to find the right outlet to channel their emotions.
PICK IT UP: Dec 1
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzbAjfclBJ0
John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton (Reissue): We know that it’s a reissue, but this column wouldn’t be complete without mentioning that John Mayall’s classic blues-rock album Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton is finally being re-released as a deluxe, two-disc set this holiday season. The collection contains both the stereo and mono mix of the album, but the real gem of this reissue is the overwhelming amount of bonus material which includes rare studio numbers, live radio broadcasts and small club performances which show the band at their musical peak. While some of this material has been available in the past, most of it is out-of-print and many of the tracks on the second disc are being released for the very first time making this a must-have for both Clapton completists and recent converts.
PICK IT UP: Dec 8
We The Kings’ Smile, Kid: Even if the name We The Kings doesn’t ring a bell for you, chances are you’re familiar with the band’s ubiquitous anthem “Check Yes Juliet.” You can expect the band’s sophomore release to be teeming with more pop-punk anthems such as the first single “Heaven Can Wait” (which is available to check out on the band’s MySpace site). In addition to being a sonic progression for this promising young pop act, the album will also feature guest vocals from Hey Monday frontwoman Cassadee Pope and actress/singer Demi Lovato, both of whom will add a new dynamic to We The Kings’ instantly infectious brand of music. If you’ve got a Vans Warped Tour attendee in your family, you can’t really go wrong with Smile, Kid—and it’s a lot cheaper than the video game they’re also pining after.
PICK IT UP: Dec 8
Neil Young: Dreamin’ Man Live ’92: Unlike most performers of his caliber, Neil Young is extremely hands-on with every aspect of his career and this attention to detail is most evident in his series of archival live discs. While Young’s previous reissues highlight his late-‘60s and early ‘70s output, as you might guess from the title Dreamin’ Man Live ’92 is compiled from solo acoustic shows Young did leading up to the release of his return-to-form Harvest Moon. Correspondingly all ten tracks from the album come from the aforementioned disc, however the minimalist arrangements and alternate sequencing makes you feel like you’re hearing these classic tracks again for the first time.
Pick It Up: December 8
Mudvayne’s Mudvayne: It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly a decade since Mudvayne exploded onto the metal scene with their single “Dig,” however this group of make-up-clad rockers are still going strong and as they prep for the release of their fifth album. Vocalist Chad Gray has described the disc as “a little more retro” for the band—and songs like “Beautiful And Strange” and “Heard It All” before are a masterful mix of metal and melody that will surely indulge diehards and probably help the band pick up a few new fans along the way. Additionally the artwork for Mudvayne will be printed will feature blacklight-reactive artwork that can only be seen under a black light, so be sure to dig out your old lamp from college before you pop this bad boy into your CD player.
PICK IT UP: Dec 22