Metallica, Death Magnetic (Warner Bros.)
Death Magnetic, Metalilca's Warner Bros. debut, is just the band's second studio album of original material in the last 11 years, following 2003's therapy fueled, love-it-or-leave, garage-band-on-steroids effort, St. Anger.
If "Cyanide" and lead single "The Day That Never Comes" are any indication, Metallica fans who yearn for the band to go back to its metal-tastic '80s complexity may find it here. "Cyanide" sounds as though it's a long-overdue outtake from the ... And Justice for All sessions, while "The Day That Never Comes" mirrors "Fade to Black" or "One" in its slow progression from its guide riff to its explosive finale.
Death Magnetic also marks a few firsts: Bassist Rob Trujillo makes his studio debut after being a member of the group for more than five years. Rick Rubin — who has worked with Tom Petty, the Dixie Chicks, Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, Green Day and the late Johnny Cash just to name a few — takes over as producer, ending a 17-year, four-record odyssey with Bob Rock that marked the band's biggest stylistic changes and mainstream success.
Note: Death Magnetic arrives in stores Friday.
If I Were Really Rich ...
— Calexico, Carried to Dust (Quarterstick) | Tucson, Ariz., rockers departed from the formula with 2006's Garden Ruin. After greater exposure with last year's I'm Not There soundtrack, one wonders if the septet will keep barreling in a new direction or return to its indie rock mariachi roots.
— Kimya Dawson, Alphabutt (K) | Batch of children's songs is first material from Dawson since Juno soundtrack success.
— Mitch Hedberg, Do You Believe in Gosh? (Comedy Central) | Fresh material recorded in January 2005, two months before his death.
— Tricky, Knowle West Boy (Domino) | I'm not that big of a Tricky fan, but Maxinquaye is such a great record, I'm always kind of interested.
Also New This Week ...
— Joan Baez, Day After Tomorrow (Razor & Tie)
— Jim Brickman, Unspoken (Savoy Jazz)
— Natalie Cole, Still Unforgettable (Rhino)
— Albert Cummings, Feel So Good (Blind Pig)
— Catie Curtis, Sweet Life (Compass)
— Daughtry, Daughtry [Deluxe edition CD/DVD] (19 Recordings/RCA)
— Michael Franti and Spearhead, All Rebel Rockers (Anti)
— Gym Class Heroes, The Quilt (Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen)
— Iced Earth, The Crucible of Man: Something Wicked Part II (Steamhammer/SPV)
— Hal Ketchum, Father Time (Curb)
— Jonny Lang, Live at Montreux 1999 [DVD] (Eagle Rock)
— Avril Lavigne, The Best Damn Tour (Live in Toronto) [DVD] (RCA)
— L.L. Cool J, Exit 13 (Def Jam)
— Patti Loveless, Sleepless Nights (Saguaro)
— Magic Slim and the Teardrops, Midnight Blues (Blind Pig)
— Meiko, Meiko (MySpace)
— Kardinal Offishall, Not 4 Sale (Kon Live/Geffen/Black Jays)
— Joan Osborne, Little Wild One (Saguaro)
— Sasha, Involver (Global Underground)
— Jessica Simpson, Do You Know (Columbia Nashville)
— The Sound of Animals Fighting, The Ocean and the Sun (Epitaph)
— The Stand Ins, Okkervil River (Jagjaguwar)
— Bobo Stenson Trio, Cantando (ECM)
— Brian "Head" Welch, Save Me From Myself (DMG)
— Dar Williams, Promised Land (Razor & Tie)
— Woven Hand, Ten Stones (Sounds Familyre)
— ZZ Top, Eliminator [CD/DVD collector's edition] (WEA/Reprise/Rhino)
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