“2011 Record Guide, Part 1 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette” plus 1 more

2011 Record Guide, Part 1 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Posted: 07 Jan 2011 09:26 AM PST

It's time to put the 2010 releases aside and move on. We've already been hearing some good singles from the likes of The Decemberists, Social Distortion and Iron and Wine. Here's a look at what else is coming in the first quarter of 2011. Expect many release dates to change:

Jan. 11

Cake, "Showroom of Compassion": Sixth studio album and first batch of new material since 2004's "Pressure Chief" from the Sacramento band best known for "The Distance." It leads with the single "Sick of You."

British Sea Power, "Valhalla Dancehall": Fifth album from the guitar-driven Brighton, England band is said to be influenced by Serge Gainsbourg and Kraftwerk.

Steel Magnolia, "Steel Magnolia": Debut album from duo -- Meghan Linsey and beau Joshua Scott Jones -- who first came to fame on CMT's "Can You Duet" is led by the top 5 country single "Keep On Loving You."

Cage The Elephant, "Thank You, Happy Birthday": Second album from the Kentucky funk-punk band that toured this summer with Stone Temple Pilots.

Wire, "Red Barked Tree": Twelfth album and first in three years from the seminal British post-punk band, which is still going strong.

Edie Brickell, "Edie Brickell": The first of two albums from the folk-pop star was produced by Charlie Sexton. She will also release one with the Gaddabouts, featuring Steve Gadd, Pino Palladino and Andy Fairweather-Low.

Jan. 18

The Decemberists, "The King Is Dead": The literate Portland indie band follows the ambitious concept album "The Hazards of Love" with a set of 10 "concise, country-based songs" produced by Tucker Martine and featuring guest appearances by Gillian Welch and Peter Buck.

Social Distortion, "Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes": The old-school Orange County, Calif., punk band, led by Mike Ness, comes back roaring on its first album since 2004 and its debut on Epitaph.

The Script, "Science & Faith": The Dublin soft-rock hitmakers issue a second album, preceded by the single "For the First Time."

Gregg Allman, "Low Country Blues": The soulful Allman brother, recovered from a liver transplant, returns with his first solo album in 14 years, produced by T-Bone Burnett and featuring Dr. John and Doyle Bramhall II

Tennis, "Cape Dory": Indie darlings -- Denver couple Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore -- hark back to '50s lounge rock.

Smith Westerns, "Dye It Blonde": Young, T-Rex-worshipping rockers from Chicago worked with Chris Coady (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Beach House) for second album.

Blackmore's Night, "Autumn Sky": Renaissance folk duo led by former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and wife Candice Night return with an eighth album.

Daniel Martin Moore, "In the Cool Light of Day": Second album on Sub Pop from little-known Kentucky singer-songwriter who's been touring with Iron & Wine, The Swell Season and My Morning Jacket.

Jan. 25

Iron And Wine, "Kiss Each Other Clean": Americana artist Sam Beam continues to expand the sonic range on his first album in three years.

Gang Of Four, "Content": First new material in 16 years from the legendary British post-punk band which currently consists of founders Jon King and Andy Gill with bassist Thomas McNeice and drummer Mark Heaney.

Cold War Kids, "Mine Is Yours": Singer Nathan Willett told Rolling Stone that the Long Beach, Calif., indie band was going for something "richer and classier" on its third album produced by Jacquire King (The Kings of Leon, Tom Waits).

Wanda Jackson, "The Party Ain't Over": Like he did so well with Loretta Lynn, Jack White (White Stripes) takes the reins for this release from "The First Lady of Rockabilly" with a band featuring Jack Lawrence (The Dead Weather/Raconteurs), Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket) and Patrick Keeler (Raconteurs).

Amos Lee, "Mission Bell": Gentle singer-songwriter's fourth album, produced by Calexico's Joey Burns, features contributions from Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson and Sam Beam.

Destroyer, "Kaputt": Ninth album from Dan Bejar (New Pornographers) under the Destroyer moniker is said to be influenced by Bryan Ferry and Gil Evans.

Apex Manor, "The Year of Magical Drinking": Ross Flournoy, former leader of The Broken West, returns with a new band and a new power-pop album.

Cloud Nothings, "Cloud Nothings": Debut album from lo-fi Cleveland teen rocker Dylan Baldi.

Feb. 1

Rod Stewart, "The Best Of The Great American Songbook": Highlights from the five albums, just in time for Valentine's Day.

Ricky Martin, "Music + Soul + Sex": The Latin pop singer's first new album in six years features the single "The Best Thing About You is Me" with Joss Stone and four songs with "X-Factor" star Storm Lee.

Bobby Long, "A Winter Tale": Debut album from the 24-year-old British folk-blues singer whose "Let Me Sign" appeared on the "Twilight" soundtrack.

The Go! Team, "Rolling Blackouts": Third album from the "schizo" beat-crazy British sextet which broke out in 2004 with "Thunder, Lightning, Strike."

David Lowery, "The Palace Guards": Bandmates from Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven pitch in on the quirky singer-songwriter's first solo album.

Junk Culture, "Summer Friends": Debut album from the Illegal Art newcomer (influenced by the likes of Animal Collective and MF Doom) who is touring with Girl Talk.

Deerhoof, "Deerhoof vs. Evil": Tenth album from very offbeat San Francisco indie-rockers.

Bob Marley and the Wailers, "Live Forever": Long-awaited release of the oft-bootlegged final concert of his career, which took place at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh on Sept. 23, 1980.

Feb. 8

And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, "Tao of the Dead": Seventh album from the majestic Austin indie-rock band is designed to be enjoyed in two long parts, in the vein of Pink Floyd or Yes records that Conrad Keely grew up listening to.

Esben & The Witch, "Violet Cries": Matador debut from spooky, goth-leaning British band that toured with the xx.

Over The Rhine, "Long Surrender": Latest album from the southern Ohio-based husband-and-wife team of Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist was produced by Joe Henry.

Cut Copy, "Zonoscope": The followup to the acclaimed Australian electropop band's 2008 album "In Ghost Colours."

Nicole Atkins and the Black Sea, "Mondo Amore": Haunting New Jersey vocalist, compared to everyone from Etta James to Roy Orbison, returns with a new lineup.

Various Artists, "Now That's What I Call Music! 37": The latest hits!

Feb. 14

PJ Harvey, "Let England Shake": The experimental songstress recorded her eighth album in a 19th-century church in Dorset, England with producer Flood (U2, Smashing Pumpkins), longtime collaborators John Parish and Mick Harvey.

Gruff Rhys, "Hotel Shampoo": Third solo album from the frontman of Super Furry Animals, who has actually made an art installation out of his collection of hotel shampoo bottles that is on exhibit in Wales.

Feb. 15

Bright Eyes, "The People's Key": First album since 2007's "Cassadaga" is said to be a departure for the famed Omaha indie band. Conor Oberst, fresh from two side projects, told Billboard, "We're over the Americana, rootsy, whatever that sound is."

Drive-By Truckers, "Go-Go Boots": The ninth studio album from the Southern-rock band has been described by frontman Patterson Hood as its "most Muscle Shoals-sounding album."

Mogwai, "Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will": Seventh album from the daring Scottish post-rock quintet. Among the tracks: "How to Be a Werewolf" and "You're Lionel Richie."

Saigon, "The Greatest Story Never Told": Long-awaited label debut by the Brooklyn rapper-actor was produced by Just Blaze and features guest spots from Kanye West, Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz, Faith Evans, Q-Tip, etc.

Hayes Carll, "Kmag Yoyo (& Other American Stories)": The singer-songwriter from Texas follows 2008's "Trouble in Mind" with a new set of topical songs. The title is a military abbreviation of the phrase "Kiss my a-- guys, you're on your own."

Twilight Singers, "Dynamite Steps": Fifth album and first in five years from Greg Dulli (Afghan Wigs) actually features a duet with Ani DiFranco, plus guests Mark Lanegan and Petra Haden.

Chamberlin, "Bitter Blood": Debut album from the Vermont Americana band was produced by Scott Tournet, a member of Grace Potter & The Nocturnals.

The Dears, "Degeneration Street": Fifth album from the soulful, funky, baroque Canadian indie rock band features the single "Omega Dog."

The Disciplines, "Virgins of Menace": Second album from the Norway-based garage-rock quartet featuring Ken Stringfellow (Posies, Big Star).

East River Pipe, "We Live in Rented Rooms": FM Cornog, characterized by Rolling Stone as "one of our generation's great eccentric songwriters," returns with "more tales of people down on their luck and steeped in all manner of vices."

Feb. 22

Adele, "21": Sophomore album from the British singer-songwriter who snagged the Best New Artist Grammy two years ago. The first one was titled "19," reflecting her age at the time. She wrote this one at 21. The first single is the uptempo "Rolling in the Deep."

Jay Sean, "Freeze Time": Fourth album from the British R&B singer will feature such guests as Lil Wayne, Pitbull, Nicki Minaj and Mary J. Blige and the singles "2012 (It Ain't the End)" and "Break Your Back."

Travis Barker, "Give The Drummer Some": First solo album from the Blink-182 drummer is a rock/hip-hop hybrid with such guests as RZA, Raekwon, Lil Wayne, Tom Morello and Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor.

Toro Y Moi, "Underneath The Pine": Second album from South Carolina electronic pop artist Chaz Bundick who helped launch the "chillwave" genre.

Julianna Barwick, "The Magic Place": Experimental Brooklyn singer specializes in ambient wordless vocal collages.

Marsha Ambrosius, "Late Nights, Early Mornings": Full-length debut from the former member of the British duo Floetry.

Jonny Burke, "Distance And Fortune": Debut album from twangy Austin-based singer-songwriter was produced by Marc Ford (Black Crowes, Ryan Bingham).

The Low Anthem, "Smart Flesh": Fourth album from the Rhode Island indie folk-rock band was recorded in a cavernous, vacant pasta sauce factory.

Jeff Beck, "Rock 'n' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul": Live album from New York concert featuring Imelda May Band, Brian Setzer, Trombone Shorty and more.

March 1

Jay-Z and Kanye West, "Watch the Throne": Potential blockbluster from the hip-hop superstars that sprung from their work on Kanye's dazzling recent effort.

DeVotchKa, "100 Lovers": Quartet from Denver pursues exotic textures with American styles and traditional European instrumentation.

Lykke Li, "Wounded Rhymes": Sophomore record from the Swedish songbird was produced by Peter Bjorn and John and is preceded by the provocative first single "Get Some."

Papercuts, "Fading Parade": Fourth album and Sub Pop debut from dream pop-band co-produced by Thom Monahan (Beachwood Sparks, Vetiver).

Eisley, "The Valley": First album in four years deals with the recent romantic travails of the Dupree sisters who front the band.

March 8

R.E.M., "Collapse Into Now": The Athens, Ga., vets (still the trio of Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills) follow 2008's crunchy "Accelerate" with a new album that sticks with producer by Jacknife Lee and features guest spots from Patti Smith, Lenny Kaye, Peaches, Eddie Vedder and Joel Gibb (The Hidden Cameras).

Avril Lavigne, "Goodbye Lullaby": The Canadian rocker, now a savvy veteran at 26, debuted her new single "What The Hell" on New Year's Eve. Now comes the rest of her fourth studio album, recorded with longtime collaborators Deryck Whibley, Evan Taubenfeld and Butch Walker and song doctor Max Martin.

Lupe Fiasco, "Lasers": Long-awaited third album from the creative Chicago rapper drops after an online petition from his fans for its release.

Dance Gavin Dance, "Downtown Battle Mountain Pt. II": Post-hardcore band from Sacramento assembles the old lineup for third full-length.

Riley Etheridge, Jr., "Powder Keg": Second album from New York-via-South Carolina roots rocker.

Wye Oak, "Civilian": Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack return with a third album of "21st-century folk music."

March 15

J Mascis, "Several Shades Of Why": The Dinosaur Jr wizard tones it down significantly on this first solo studio album, a folky affair with help from such friends as Kurt Vile, Sophie Trudeau (A Silver Mount Zion), Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene) and Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses).

Eleventh Dream Day, "Riot Now!": Veteran Chicago indie-rock band's first album in five years is described as "a call back to the urgency of 1988's 'Prairie School Freakout'."

March 22

Pitbull, "Planet Pit": Fifth album from the reggae-tinged rapper featured in Enrique Iglesias' hit "I Like It."

Robin Zander, "Countryside Blvd.": Cheap Trick singer goes a little country.

Yellowcard, "When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes": Three-year hiatus over, the Jacksonville pop-punk band returns, violin in hand, for a seventh album.

March 29

Mountain Goats, "All Eternals Deck": North Carolina indie band led by literate singer-songwriter John Darnielle returns with a new album featuring four tracks produced by, of all people, former Morbid Angel guitarist Erik Rutan, now of Hate Eternal.

Peter Bjorn and John, untitled: Follow-up to 2009's more experimental "Living Thing" is a described as a return to pop roots.

Roscoe Dash, "Ready Set Go!": Debut album from the Atlanta rapper whose first single, "All the Way Turnt Up," featured Soulja Boy.

Obits, "Moody, Standard and Poor": Second album from Brooklyn indie-rock band sprung from Drive Like Jehu, Edsel, Hot Snakes, and Pitchfork.

Spring

Lady Gaga, "Born This Way": Highly anticipated second full-length is coming in May, with the title track single expected in February.

Britney Spears: Seventh studio album will arrive in March with single "Hold it Against Me" expected to be released any day.

Wiz Khalifa: Major label debut from Pittsburgh rapper already has a Top 10 hit with "Black and Yellow." The album will feature production by the likes of Stargate and Lex Luger, and special guests Snoop Dogg and The Game.

Lil Wayne, "Tha Carter IV": The rap superstar has already previewed his post-prison effort with the single "6 Foot 7 Foot."

Foo Fighters: Seventh album, recorded by Butch Vig, reunites Dave Grohl with ex-Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic on one song.

Beastie Boys, "Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2": Part One was delayed due to Adam Yauch's cancer treatment. Part 2 is said to be coming out as scheduled.

Death Cab for Cutie, "Codes and Keys": Frontman Ben Gibbard says to watch out for an album heavy on vintage keyboards.

The Strokes: For its fourth album, the first since 2006's "First Impressions of Earth," the band worked with Joe Chicarelli (U2, Beck) and promises a return to "classic sound."

Rick Ross, "God Forgives, I Don't": Fifth album from the rap heavyweight.

Drake, "Take Care": Second album from the Canadian MC.

The Ting Tings: Second album, recorded in Berlin, is said to reveal more of a dark side.

Face to Face, "Laugh Now, Laugh Later": Reunited punk band's first album in nine years.

The Pains of Being Pure of Heart, "Belong": Second album from Brooklyn indie-pop darlings.

Mac Miller, "Best Day Ever": Pittsburgh rapper's debut album on Rostrum.

Coming in 2011

Also expected this year are albums from Radiohead, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Wilco, No Doubt, Aerosmith, Fleet Foxes, My Morning Jacket, Passion Pit, Fiona Apple, Beth Orton, Explosions in the Sky, Jay Electronica and M83.

Scott Mervis: smervis@post-gazette or 412-263-2576. Follow him on Twitter at @scottmervis_pg and in his Pop Noise blog.

First published on January 7, 2011 at 12:20 pm

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Economists' Group May Revamp Ethical Guide - Wall Street Journal

Posted: 06 Jan 2011 09:16 PM PST

By JUSTIN LAHART And MARK WHITEHOUSE

DENVER – Amid criticism that academic economists' ethical lapses were partly to blame for the U.S. financial crisis, the American Economic Association said Thursday that it will consider providing new ethical guidelines to its membership.

"The executive committee of the American Economic Association voted unanimously to create a committee to consider the association's existing disclosure and other ethical standards and potential extensions to those standards," the AEA said in a statement here as its annual meeting opened.

The AEA's effort comes as economists face greater scrutiny for their ties to Wall Street banks, hedge funds and other firms.

The documentary film "Inside Job," released in October in the U.S., drew widespread public attention to influential academic economists' ties to Wall Street firms through directorships and consulting jobs.

In a recent paper, two economists from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst—Gerald Epstein and Jessica Carrick-Hagenbarth—noted that a number of economists who published comments on financial reforms failed to fully disclose potential conflicts of interest.

This week, Mr. Epstein and Ms. Carrick-Hagenbarth sent a letter, signed by about other 300 economists, to AEA President Robert Hall. It urged the association to "adopt a code of ethics that requires disclosure of potential conflicts of interest that can arise between economists' roles as economic experts and as paid consultants, principals or agents for private firms."

"I think there are many economists who are just as concerned about the issues of disclosure and ethical standards as people outside the profession," said Janet Currie, a Columbia University economist who is a member of the AEA's executive committee.

The AEA has considered adopting ethical guidelines in the past, but decided against it on the grounds that they would not be enforceable. Other than academic journals it publishes, the association exercises no real authority over economists' professional lives, said Harvard economist Lawrence Katz.

"I think the AEA can play a leadership role, but I don't think it can moderate people in any way," he said. That will be a role that the universities that employ the economists will have to take, he added.

Write to Justin Lahart at justin.lahart@wsj.com and Mark Whitehouse at mark.whitehouse@wsj.com

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