Saturday, 14 June 2008

New Releases, June 3: Weezer, Disturbed, Jewel

Plus: Aimee Mann [ tickets ], Bret Michaels [ tickets ], more* * *Weezer [ tickets ]"Weezer"(Geffen)These alt-rock champs finally return with their sixth studio album, which follows 2005's "Make Believe." The new disc was originally set to hit stores June 24, but the release date was pushed up, reportedly due to popular demand and the intense reaction to the album's first single, "Pork and Beans." The CD is Weezer's third self-titled disc; the other two are from 1994 and 2001. To help distinguish this album from the previous pair, this release is being referenced as "The Red Album" due to the color of the cover. This strategy has worked in the past; 1994's "Weezer" is known as "The Blue Album" and 2001's disc is called "The Green Album."* * * Disturbed [ tickets ]"Indestructible"(Warner Bros.)The metal troupe returns with its fourth studio album. The self-produced "Indestructible" follows 2005's "Ten Thousand Fists." Disturbed will support "Indestructible" by co-headlining the metal-oriented Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival. Slipknot is the other headliner for the tour, which also features Dragonforce, Mastodon, Machine Head and several other acts on multiple stages. The trek is set to begin July 9 in Auburn, WA.* * *Jewel [ tickets ]"Perfectly Clear"(Valory Music)The singer/songwriter/guitarist, who was one of the best-selling female pop artists of the late '90s and early 2000s, is now ready to try her luck in the country game. To start, Jewel will release the country-tinged "Perfectly Clear," a work that was co-produced by John Rich (of Big & Rich). She'll follow that release by joining Brad Paisley's blockbuster summer tour. The trek, which also features country singers Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough, is set to kick off June 11 in Albuquerque, NM.* * * Aimee Mann"@#%&*! Smilers"(Superego)The singer/songwriter is set to drop her seventh studio album, which is said to be a return to form following 2005's concept album, "The Forgotten Arm," and her 2006 holiday collection, "One More Drifter in the Snow." All of the new set's 13 tracks were penned by Mann, with the exception of "True Believer," which was co-written with fellow singer/songwriter Grant Lee Phillips. Mann is currently supporting "@#%&*! Smilers" on the road. The trek will include stops at Manchester, TN's Bonnaroo (June 15) and Highland Park, IL's Ravinia Festival (Aug. 31).* * *Bret Michaels"Rock My World"(VH1 Classics)Rock fans know Michaels primarily as the frontman for glam-metal act Poison, but millions of others now know him as the star of the popular VH1 TV series, "Rock of Love," during which women compete for his affection. Capitalizing on his TV popularity, Michaels is now set to release his fourth solo album, "Rock My World," which follows 2005's "Freedom of Sound." Michael's most recent offering with Poison is last year's "Poison'd."* * *More new releases:Ashanti, "The Declaration" (Universal)Chris Brown, "Exclusive: The Forever Edition" (Jive)The Byrds, "Live at Royal Albert Hall 1971" (Sundazed)Brendan James, "The Day is Brave" (Decca)Ladytron, "Velocifero" (Nettwerk)Opeth, "Watershed" (Roadrunner)Sam Phillips, "Don't Do Anything" (Nonesuch)Radiohead, "The Best of Radiohead" (Capitol)Gavin Rossdale, "Wanderlust" (Interscope)Various Artists, "Now That's What I Call Music, Vol. 28" (Capitol)Amy Winehouse, "Frank: Deluxe Edition" (Universal) Soundtracks and scores:"Adding Machine: A Musical" (P.S. Classics)"Annie: The 30th Anniversary Cast Recordings" (Time Life)"In the Heights" (Ghostlight)