Pearl Jam, Pearl Jam
Did you see these guys a few weeks ago on Saturday Night Live? They absolutely tore it up! I’ve always felt that if you can play a memorable set on SNL that it says something about you as an artist (one that comes to mind is Elvis Costello & the Attractions 1977 performance). Since then, I’ve been on pins and needles waiting for their self-titled release to come out. Happily, it rocks, it rolls, it sounds like the Seattle band of old. Never shy to call it as they see it, look for plenty of civil unrest in the lyrics. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why the heck there is a picture of a halved avocado on the cover of the album. Someone please clue me in. Notable Tracks: “World Wide Suicide”, “Life Wasted”, “Big Wave”
Jewel, Goodbye Alice in Wonderland
A return to the sound she popularized on previous albums Spirit and This Way. Long time fans will enjoy the consistency of this album with a focus on mid-tempo pop hits. If you can believe it, its a bit more bubblegum than the folk sound that made her famous on debut album Pieces of You but thankfully she has moved on from what we heard on 0304. Expect Goodbye Alice in Wonderland to get plenty of airplay on top 40 and mainstream country radio. Notable Tracks: “Only One Too”, “Again and Again”, “Goodbye Alice in Wonderland“.
Alejandro Escovedo, The Boxing Mirror
Expect greatness! See what Mayer had to say.
Also notable for week of May 2, 2006:
Gomez, Jon Auer, Willie Nelson, Court & Spark.
Preview these full albums:
Pearl Jam, Pearl Jam (AOL Music)
Jewel, Goodbye Alice in Wonderland (AOL Music)
Gomez, How We Operate (AOL Music)
About the author: Washington, D.C. area creative by day. Music is my muse. I host Twangville’s weekly Readers‘ Pick.