There's $$ left over for rice (New records/CD's/etc)

[davy]

Now THIS shipment I'm excited about:




Mark Olson & The Creekdippers - Pacific Coast Rambler  /  Mark Olson & The Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers - My Own Jo Ellen

Haven't heard any of this stuff yet. 

[davy]

John Mellencamp - No Better Than This

I've read some glowing reviews of this, and since it was only $8 I decided to pick it up. It's certainly different from what was previously my most recent Mellencamp album (Scarecrow). It reminds me a bit of mid-2000's Springsteen (Devils & Dust/We Shall Overcome.)

Listened for the first time today. This is a mighty fine record! At first, I was thinking, "yes, this is exactly what it should sound like." Which was a disappointing reaction, if a somewhat predictable one. But about halfway in, predictability ceased to be a factor and the songs began to assert themselves. Think Steve Earle drowsily covering Buddy Holly tunes. The tone is so consistent, and the way he maintains that laid-back, vintage feel--it's very well-done.

Add this to a small but growing list of summer albums that have made 2010 worth listening to.

[davy]

Also, regarding Mellencamp, he released an interesting box set this summer:



It's not particularly beautiful, at least not in that shot, but I like the concept: not a hits compilation, not a collection of rarities, but 4 stand-alone discs functioning as individual mix tapes, displaying facets of Mellencamp's career. Lots of hits, sure, but also lots of deep cuts, and a handful of unreleased tracks.

An awfully good angle for a Mellencamp box, I think. Reviews are uniformly positive.

This image is a little more impressive (looks like they used The Band's Musical History template):