Published: June 04, 2009 10:15 am      

MUSIC: New summer albums

By Phil Dzikiy



This year’s summer music release schedule looks a lot like a typical summer movie season: Big names and blockbusters abound. In the first week of June, we’ve already seen new releases from touring juggernaut, the Dave Matthews Band (“Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King”), legendary singer-songwriter Elvis Costello (“Secret, Profane and Sugarcane”) and rockers Eels (“Hombre Lobo: 12 Songs of Desire”). But there’s much more to come, including a full slate of heavy hitters this month.

Things may tail off a bit in August, but that’s just like a blockbuster summer, isn’t it?



June

Next week brings us a new album from the Black Eyed Peas (“The E.N.D.”), a hip-hop group that made a transition from under-the-radar to pop stars so quickly, most people probably don’t even know there was such a transition. Fergie wasn’t always in the group, for starters.

Former indie rock kings Sonic Youth return to their roots with their debut on independent label Matador Records (“The Eternal”) next week, as well.

Commercially, Incubus has been one of the more successful bands of this decade. The group looks to capitalize on that fact with the release of “Monuments and Melodies,” a two-disc compilation including greatest hits and rarities.

Speaking of popular, The Jonas Brothers are back with a new album, “Lines, Vines and Trying Times.” It’ll be interesting to see if the brothers have held onto their audience after the success of last year’s “A Little Bit Longer.”

If the Jonases are too poppy for your tastes, there’s more complex rock on the way, whether you prefer your guitars to deliver distortion (Dinosaur Jr.’s “Farm”) or new progressive rock (The Mars Volta’s “Octahedron”).

Moby has spoke of being inspired by director David Lynch prior to his latest album, “Wait For Me.” The techno artist’s latest animated video, for “Shot in the Back of the Head,” was directed (and animated!) by Lynch himself.

The end of June brings us the newest album from Wilco, which is graced with the lovely title of “Wilco (The Album).” The new album will arrive just in time for the group’s upcoming Artpark show in July.



July

Lil Wayne isn’t about to rest on his laurels. The rapper served up the top-selling album of last year, “Tha Carter III,” and he returns in July with what’s being billed as a rock album, “Rebirth.”

As Lil Wayne attempts to become a rock star, actual current rock star Jack White brings us another new supergroup, The Dead Weather — not to be confused with his other supergroup, The Raconteurs, or his first group, The White Stripes. The group’s debut, “Horehound,” hits the streets on July 14.

Another rock star, though far more mainstream and radio-friendly, is Chris Daughtry and his band, Daughtry. The group’s new album, “Leave This Town,” is coming soon.

If anyone was wondering where the R&B singer Maxwell went, wonder no longer. He hasn’t been heard from since 2001’s “Now,” but he’s back with “BLACKsummers’night,” the first part of a planned “BLACKSUMMERS’NIGHT” trilogy. Maybe that’s what’s been taking him so long.

Son Volt, an offshoot of former alt-country band Uncle Tupelo (the other offshoot is Wilco), returns with a new album, “American Central Dust.”



August

It hasn’t been delayed quite as much as last year’s “Chinese Democracy,” but rapper Raekwon’s “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II” was originally announced years ago. The sequel to the Wu-Tang Clan member’s first solo album in 1995, it looks like “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II” will finally see the light of day in August.

It was recently announced that British rockers Arctic Monkeys will release a new album in August.

The album is still untitled, but Queens of the Stone Age leader Josh Homme handled production duties, which point toward a harder sound for the Monkeys.

Also ready to bring the summer heat is Sean Paul, a true love-him-or-hate-him musician. He may have waited too long to release “Imperial Blaze,” but time will tell.

•••

Summer is always a great time to discover new music — few things are better than basking in the sun, pool side, taking in some fresh, new tunes.

But if you can’t find anything new to enjoy, when summer rolls around, the Beach Boys will never let you down.