Friday, 27 June 2008

New Releases, April 8: Nine Inch Nails, The Breeders, Leona Lewis

Plus: P.O.D. , Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, more

Nine Inch Nails
"Ghosts I � IV"
(The Null Corporation)

The industrial-rock troupe's four-disc all-instrumental outing is finally set to hit traditional retail outlets. Many of the band's fans, however, already own the music.

The first nine selections from "Ghosts I-IV" were made available for free download several weeks ago on the band's website, where fans could also purchase the entire 36-song package for $5.

NIN also is offering "Ghosts" in a variety of deluxe packages ranging from $10 to the $300 "ultra-deluxe limited edition," which sold out almost immediately, according to the band.

Trent Reznor and crew will support "Ghosts" on the road. The band has announced its first batch of concerts, which kicks off with a July 25 appearance at British Columbia's outdoor Pemberton Festival. The first headlining show follows a day later in Seattle.

[Read LiveDaily's review of "Ghosts I-IV"]

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The Breeders
"Mountain Battles"
(4AD)

The veteran alt-rock troupe, originally formed in the late '80s as a side project for Pixies' bassist Kim Deal and then-Throwing Muses guitarist Tanya Donelly, is ready to release its fourth album. "Mountain Battles" is the first new Breeders offering since 2002's "Title TK" and it features production work from, among others, Steve Albini, who famously produced the Pixies' seminal 1988 record "Surfer Rosa."

This version of The Breeders features sisters Kim and Kelley Deal (who both contribute guitar and vocals this time around), as well as bassist Mando Lopez and drummer Jose Medeles.

The Breeders will hit the concert trail in support of the album, beginning with an April 25 slot at Indio, CA's Coachella festival. The group will then mount a 27-city headlining trek, which starts April 28 in San Diego and lasts through a mid-June date in Atlanta.

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Leona Lewis
"Spirit"
(J-Records)

The British singer/songwriter, a past winner of the British talent show "X Factor," is already a huge star in her native UK. Her single "Bleeding Love" was the best-selling single of 2007 in Britain, where her debut album, "Spirit," is also a chart smash.

Now, the vocalist is crossing the pond to try her luck on this side of the Atlantic, with the stateside release of "Spirit." So far, so good--"Bleeding Love" has already hit the top of the Billboard singles chart.

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P.O.D.
"When Angels and Serpents Dance"
(Sony)

The heavy rockers return to their original lineup--which includes guitarist Marcos Curiel, who left the platinum-selling group in 2003--for the release of "When Angels and Serrpents Dance." Also joining the party are such guest stars as Helmet's Page Hamilton, Suicidal Tendencies' Mike Muir, the Marley Sisters and a gospel choir.

The set was produced by Jay Baumgardner (Evanescence) and its first single is "Addicted." "When Angels and Serpents Dance" follows a pair of 2006 releases: "Testify," which landed at No. 9 on The Billboard 200, and "Greatest Hits (The Atlantic Years)."

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Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
"Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!"
(Anti)

Having last toured the States as part of the no-frills rock outfit Grinderman, the 50-year-old Australian rock legend returns to his better-known band, the Bad Seeds, for the release of the exclamation point happy "Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!" The new album follows 2004's two-disc set "Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus."

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More new releases:
Ashes Divide, "Keep Telling Myself It's Alright" (Island)
Marcia Ball, "Peace, Love & BBQ" (Alligator)
Hayes Carll, "Trouble in Mind" (Lost Highway)
Cut Copy, "In Ghost Colours" (Interscope)
Mari� Digby, "Unfold" (Hollywood)
The Duke Spirit, "Neptune" (Artist First)
Fleet Foxes, "Sun Giant" (Sub Pop)
Foals, "Antidotes" (Sub Pop)
Paul Gilbert, "Silence Followed by a Deafening Roar" (Shrapnel)
Kamelot, "Ghost Opera: The Second Coming" (Steamhammer)
Man Man, "Rabbit Habits" (Anti)
Colin Meloy, "Colin Meloy Sings Live!" (Kill Rock Stars)
Marie Osmond, "Dancing with the Best of Marie Osmond" (Curb)
James Otto, "Sunset Man" (Warner Bros.)
Was (Not Was), "Boo!" (Rykodisc)


See Also