Rock music you will love

Rock

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THE CABS: When The Shadows Felt The Sun
At eight songs and almost 35 minutes, this is one of those albums that toes the line between EP and full-length. They've declared it an EP, but don't let your presuppositions get the best of you: there's plenty to enjoy here. Piecing together elements of electric folk and some of the airier aspects of traditional indie rock, this Bay Area five-piece crafts songs that are occasionally upbeat, but careful to never get too poppy. Pressing acoustic against electric, they set the stage for a theme of juxtaposition that runs throughout the album. Vocalist/guitarist Gigi Moral is equipped with both a sternly sweet voice and an acid tongue, singing with an adamant energy that skillfully emphasizes some of the ostensibly brasher lyrics. "One Last Song" is a great example, a track that starts innocently and softly, slowly evolving into a steady charge and eventually a fast-paced demand for answers. The progression is natural and honest (in both the lyrics and the music), and it showcases an unfiltered approach that folks will surely embrace as a welcome divergence. They also work a handful of instrumental tracks into the mix (including the wonderfully baroque title track), making it clear that first and foremost, they're here to play. If this is the warm-up for their proper LP, it should serve to get some people eagerly awaiting its release.
CD price: $9.99 / MP3 price: $5.99
ANJANETTE INDELICATO: Anjanette
"Basically I'm done with emotion," Indelicato states in the opening lines of "Too Late," the third track on her vast, eponymous debut. It's a declaration that should be taken with a grain of salt, but not completely discounted. Over the course of nine intricately produced songs, she covers so much ground musically and lyrically that it's impossible to believe she doesn't feel something. Often, it seems much more likely she's guilty of feeling too much. Either way, one thing is certain: her current frame of mind has yielded some striking music. She's backed by a large group of musicians, but she makes wise choices in when to employ their individual sounds. "Fire" shakes and taps with various forms of percussion, none of which get repetitive or crowd the rest of the arrangement. She expands on this process throughout the album, bringing in cello, violin, viola, organ, and some of the more usual suspects, but arranges them in a way that is careful to never get too busy. This allows ample room for her vocals, which ultimately deserve top billing. The influence of Tori Amos is apparent, but she's a bit more precise, taking her carefully penned words and making sure they stride right through the middle of the music. It's right where they belong, and it makes these songs all the more expansive and colorful.
CD price: $14.99 / MP3 price: $9.99
LITTLE LEMON: U
It's always a good sign when you can't sum up a group in a few words, or even a few sentences. Little Lemon is two people, a man and woman, from Los Angeles. So, there's your broad summation. Pinning down the music is tougher. The first two tracks on this long EP/short full-length use acoustic guitar as the base, adding rich melodies, appropriately sparse piano, and lyrics that are both heartbreaking and self-affirming. The third track is harmony-heavy a cappella, a quick jaunt accented with snaps and hand claps. "Feel U" is the fourth cut, a song that brings in some synths and makes for infectious dance music. "U Walked Away" starts with piano, adds some strings, and features initially timid vocals that open up perfectly. "Follow U" gives a nod to Liz Phair-style 90's rock, while "Sick" goes back to the acoustic, but layers thick keys on top, steering it all towards an effectively big ending. "Wanna Be With U" (is the title making sense, yet?) is a great one to end on, an emotionally honest and soul-baring track that assures things go out on a high note. There's a lot of diversity here, but the common thread is clear: great production, great musicians, and songs that you're sure to carry with you.
CD price: $8.99
THE MEN WHO CONTROL THE WEATHER: The Mesoamerican Dream
If you're looking for an album to top off that "Songs To Dance To As The World Crumbles" playlist you started on your iPod a while ago, this is it. Self-described as "a subversive paramilitary dance-rock band," this Minnesota five-piece is fun and fury, with a sound that makes you wonder if their pre-recording ritual doesn't involve huddling in a bunker for a few weeks, and eating freeze-dried coffee while watching an old VHS copy of "1984." Something's going to happen, everything is coming to head, but before it does, these chaps would like to have some fun with you. Let them. These songs are, more than anything, just good ol' rock 'n' roll that's been jacked up and spun around a few times. So, the jams are sufficiently kicked out, but so are some unexpected harmonies and keyboard/piano parts that are skillfully adjusted tonally to fit the feel and message of each track. Like any good fast-paced rock band, they get in and get out, with most of the songs hovering around the three minute mark. (The exception is "Urban Hunting Ground," which grooves and screeches for an even five, and it doesn't drag.) They've harnessed the chaos, and they're ready to show it to you. Take a look, while there's still time.
CD price: $12.97
KEN WILL MORTON: Devil In Me
On his third solo outing, Americana troubadour Ken Will Morton plugs in his trusty telecaster and really turns up the juice. Whereas his first two critically lauded releases centered on jangly pop rock and introspective folk with polished production techniques, Devil in Me trades precision for the ragged, rough n’ tumble enthusiasm of The Replacements. This time around it’s all grit and grime. The loose, raw, and naked basement recording captures an electrifying band with blistering blues-rock bravado to spare. Exercising subtly and restraint, these stripped-but-energetic arrangements provide ample room for Morton’s gravelly voice, reminiscent of Steve Earle or Paul Westerberg, to ring out with world-weary wisdom.
CD price: $9.97

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ALEXI MURDOCH: Four Songs
This highly praised beautiful debut collection of dark folk songs from newcomer Alexi Murdoch is CDBaby's all time best selling record. (*THIS OUT OF PRINT LIMTED EDITION IS AVAILABLE ONLY AT CDBABY WHILE STOCK LASTS.*)
REGINA SPEKTOR: Songs
Magical realism involving pickles, death penalties and hot baths... influenced by the anti folkers, the punkers, tom waits, bjork, mozart, and many others... a secret let loose.
CD price: $14.00
GARY JULES: Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets
Rootsy urban folk rock. His version of "Mad World", heard on this CD, was featured in Donnie Darko.
CD price: $14.00 / MP3 price: $9.99
O.A.R.: The Wanderer
a roots rock, island vibe feeling with an energy and passion that leaves dance floors shaking after every performance.
O.A.R.: Souls Aflame
an island vibe, roots rock feeling with an energy and passion that leaves dance floors shaking after every performance
CD price: $11.98
JACK JOHNSON: Brushfire Fairytales
Jack's multi-platinum debut that was first released in 2000 on the tiny Enjoy label (now Everloving). Produced by JP Plunier (Ben Harper); includes "Flake" and "Bubble Toes."
CD price: $13.99
JUDE: Sarah
"CDBaby's crowning achievement. Saving Jude from the record companies."
CD price: $12.00 / MP3 price: $9.99
DEVIL DOLL: Queen of Pain
sex and sorrow. 40's style torch jazz meets punk rock. angry and sexy.
CD price: $14.00 / MP3 price: $9.99
MELISSA FERRICK: Skinnier & Faster - LIVE
Live performance of a sold out show. Double CD with 21 songs, LIVE, from her five critically acclaimed albums. Unique, fiery, compelling, bold and captivating.
CD price: $20.00 / MP3 price: $20.00
TRIBE OF HEAVEN: Imagine We Were
Available for the first time, Mark Roebuck, teaming up with then-fellow-bartender Dave Matthews in 1990 to write and record a rich, folk-accoustic CD, woven with dark, sometimes melancholy themes.
CD price: $10.97

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Rock music you will love

Rock

style / mood

Editor's Picks (see more)

Top Sellers (see more)