Each month I review my favorite new CD's of the past 30 days. I listen to dozens of new releases each month, and only the best make the cut. It doesn't matter if it's on a major label, independent label, or no label at all. I just have to have it so I can listen to it! And if I don't have it, it can't be reviewed! If you are a record label, manager, publicist or musician and would like your new release considered for review, send it to me: Chad Bowar, Suite 101.com Pop Music Editor, PO Box 1723, Rapid City, SD 57709. Here are this month's best new CDs, in no particular order:
Alanis Morissette--MTV Unplugged
Some artists are much better suited to the unplugged acoustic format than others. Alanis Morissette is definitely one of those artists. The stripped down arrangements on this album show her vocal power and really emphasize the lyrical content of the songs. I've always enjoyed her live performances on awards shows because they are different from the album versions. These songs are not carbon copies of the electric versions.
<.b>MTV Unplugged features 12 tracks, including 3 that weren't seen on the TV special. There are 3 previously unreleased songs, great versions of hits such as "You Learn", "Head Over Feet", "Ironic", "You Oughta Know", and "Uninvited", plus a killer cover of the Police song "King of Pain".
Morissette is also at the forefront of the digital revolution. Her record label is offering a very unique promotion with this album. Fans can visit http://www.alanismorissette.com and purchase four or five of Morissette's music videos on a CD-ROM that will be shipped out the following day. The purchaser is able to determine the order of the video clips and even choose their own artwork from a variety of options.
MTV Unplugged is not a contract fulfilling throwaway CD. It's passionate, enjoyable, and a worthy addition to her catalog.
Soundtrack--Friends Again
The second installment of the Friends soundtrack would be worth purchasing solely for the Chrissie Hynde/Lisa Kudrow duet of "Smelly Cat". There are a lot of other good songs on this CD as well. It features Semisonic, Smashmouth, Robbie Williams, Duncan Sheik, Lisa Loeb and more.
Friends Again includes sound bytes taken from various episodes in addition to the music. Besides "Smelly Cat", the highlight of the album is Robbie Williams' remake of the Pet Shop Boys "I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing." This CD is another way for fans to enjoy the Friends experience.
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