CD New Releases - Blonde Redhead, CocoRosie, Bright Eyes, Nick Cave & Brother Ali

New York underground favorites Blonde Redhead released their latest today. 23 turns away from the dreamy pop on Misery is a Butterfly for a more wispy, trembling sound. The ghostly vocals and warped guitars that made their names return.

Another local favorite, CocoRosie, just released The Adventures Of Ghosthorse & Stillborn. When they tour, we recommend you check them out. Their combination of freaky folk & opera, performed with toy instruments, is fun to watch. The new album is good, but you need to see them live for the full effect.

The new one by Bright Eyes, Cassadaga, is a departure. Conor Oberst must listen to The Eagles and Grateful Dead lately, because the music on Cassadaga has that feel. It’s loose, pastoral and features a lot of acoustic instrumentation. Fans are likely to scratch their heads, but it would be a mistake to overlook it.

Nick Cave’s new project is called Grinderman. It’s already getting great reviews from the UK, and we’re impressed with it as well. It’s blues-rock done with the smoky, theatrical, world-weary vibe that Cave does so well.

This week’s must-get hip-hop album is The Undisputed Truth by Brother Ali. He has a street sensibility that any good hip-hop album needs - but there’s a lot of fun, upbeat music here too. Bouncy, warm and soulful music carry Ali’s positive social message effectively.