Music Shopping List: The Avett Brothers and More

Sigh, there’s merely one more new music release date in June –  Friday, the 24^th.  All in all, the month has delivered some notable releases including Nick Jonas’ Last Year Was Complicated, The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ The Getaway, and YG’s Still Brazy. This week there’s still some interesting new albums arriving, though none of them scream blockbuster.  The Avett Brothers (True Sadness) certainly seem to be the crème de la crème.    

1.  The Avett Brothers, True Sadness (Republic)

The Avett Brothers return with True Sadness, the follow-up to 2013 album, Magpie and the Dandelion.  Magpie and the Dandelion gave the band its second consecutive top-five album. Surely the folk band is looking for a similar outcome with the 12-track True Sadness.  Opener “Ain’t No Man” and “True Sadness” were among songs arriving prior to the album’s release.

2. Riff Raff, Peach Panther (Neon Nation Corp/BMG Rights Management)

Rapper Riff Raff returns with his sophomore album, Peach Panther – notice that play on Pink Panther anybody? Anyways, Peach Panther follows Raff’s debut Neon Icon, which yours truly reviewed back in 2014 and survived to tell it… But back to Peach Panther – it is comprised of 12 tracks, with “Carlos Slim,” “4 Million,” and “Chris Paul” arriving prior to the LP’s release. Featured guests on Peach Panther includes G-Eazy, Gucci Mane, and Danny Brown.

3. Dorothy, ROCKISDEAD (Roc Nation)

LA rock band Dorothy drops its debut album, ROCKISDEAD. Guess who the band’s lead singer is? Dorothy!  The band’s debut is interesting for multiple reasons.  Reason number one, Dorothy is signed to Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation.  Reason number two, for reiteration’s sake, Dorothy is a rock band signed to Jay-Z’s label…Rock and Jay-Z? Captivating stuff folks! Comprised of 11 tracks, five songs arrived prior to the album: “Dark Nights,” “Raise Hell,” “Wicked Ones,” “After Midnight,” and “Shelter.”

 4. Mindless Behavior, #OfficialMBMusic (Conjunction Entertainment Inc.)

Back in 2011, Pop/R&B collective Mindless Behavior had a hit minor hit with single “Mrs. Right”. “Mrs. Right” appeared off the group’s debut effort, #1Girl, a top-10 album on the Billboard 200.  In 2013, Mindless Behavior would score a second top-10 album with All Around the World, though the effort would be ‘less relevant.’  Now after a three-year hiatus, Mindless Behavior return as indie-R&B artists with the oddly-titled #OfficialMBMusic.  Comprised of 11 tracks, songs released prior to the album include “#iWantDat” featuring Problem & Bad Lucc and “#SongCry.”

5. Broods, Conscious (Capitol)

Alternative New Zealand duo Broods return with their sophomore album, Conscious.  Conscious follows the duo’s 2014 debut, Evergreen, which cracked the top 50 on the Billboard 200.  Comprised of 13 tracks, songs “Free,” “Heartlines,” and “Couldn’t Believe” arrived ahead of the album’s release.

6. Cash Cash, Blood, Sweat & 3 Years (Big Beat/Atlantic)

Who are Cash Cash exactly? That would be Jean Paul Makholouf, Alex Makhlouf, and Samuel Frisch.  The Jersey electronic producers drop their second album, Blood, Sweat & 3 Years.  If nothing more, what an epic title.  Running 16 tracks deep, six songs arrived prior to the album including “How to Love,” “Aftershock,” and “Take Me Home.” Featuring numerous collaborations like many producer/DJ-helmed electronic albums, among the highest profile guests are Nelly, Busta Rhymes, and John Rzeznik.

Also Released: DJ Shadow, The Mountain Will Fall (Mass Appeal); Jack Ingram, Midnight Motel (Rounder/Concord Music Group); Marian Hill, ACT ONE (Republic); Whitechapel, Mark of the Blade (Metal Blade); William Murphy, Demonstrate (RCA)

Photo Credits: Republic, Neon Nation Corp / BMG Rights Management, Roc Nation, Conjunction Entertainment Inc., Capitol, Big Beat / Atlantic