New Music Releases-Week of March 10, 2013: Part One-the Albums

By: Jacob Elyachar

For the first time in 2013, New Music Releases will be divided into two parts.

Part one focuses on the new albums released by rock royalty Eric Clapton, Bon Jovi and David Bowie plus music from Dave Grohl’s documentary: Sound City and SMASH’s Megan Hilty.

Old Sock by Eric Clapton

For his 20^th studio album, the Rock God tackled some of his favorite songs of all-time.   It is great to hear Eric’s arrangements on several classic tracks including: “The Folks Who Live On the Hill” and “Goodnight Irene.”  However, the only issue that listeners will have with this album is that there are a lot of covers and not enough original material.    Besides that, this album is a great piece of ear candy and that keeps the listener entertained.  A-

Songs to Download: “The Folks Who Live On the Hill,” “Gotta Get Over,” “Still Got the Blues” & “Goodnight Irene.”

What About Now by Bon Jovi

As much as I love this band and what they have given to the rock scene, this album sounds like they took all of the B-sides of Crush, Lost Highway and The Circle, mashed them together and put the What About Now album title on it.   While it has some standout tracks, this album could seem to bore some music lovers.  B-

Songs to Download: “What About Now,” That’s What the Water Made Me” & “Army of One.”

 

The Next Day by David Bowie

One of rock’s greatest champions has released his first album of new material in 10 years.  The Next Day contains some of his best material of the 2000s with songs like “The Stars (Are Out Tonight),” “Love is Lost” and the title track.  The Glam Rock icon’s hypnotic arrangements will appease old and new fans alike and it has Grammy potential that will keep The Next Day in the rock conversation for months to come. A+

Songs to Download: “The Next Day,” “The Stars (Are Out Tonight),” “Love is Lost,” “Where Are We Now?” & “Boss of Me”

Sound City: Real to Reel by Dave Grohl & Various Artists

Sound City: Real to Reel’s soundtrack brings together an A-list of artists who have recorded some of the best songs in rock and roll to record new material at the Sound City Studios.   Music lovers will definitely be pleased as Grohl brought out the best of his fellow artists including Stevie Nicks’ signature vocals on “You Can’t Fix This,” the musical camaraderie between the Foo Fighters, Lee Ving and Alain Johannes on “Your Wife is Calling” and working with longtime friends Trent Reznor and Sir Paul McCartney.  This soundtrack would definitely open up interest in this documentary.  A-

Songs to Download: “Time Slowing Down,” “You Can’t Fix This,” “From Can to Can’t” & “Your Wife is Calling”

 

It Happens All the Time by Megan Hilty

SMASH’s Megan Hilty has delivered a splendid debut album that showcases her hypnotic vocals all throughout the album’s 10-tracks.  The only problem that this author foresees is that a lot of Ms. Hilty’s album contains a lot of gloomy ballads and not enough positive and uplifting songs.    Although, Ms. Hilty has a future recording star career after she leaves SMASH, she needs to be able to diversify herself as an artist and take more risks.  B

Songs to Download: “It Happens All the Time,” “The Blower’s Daughter” and “No Cure”

I do not own all of the clips featured in this article.  They belong to the artists and their respective companies.