Music Reviews on Seattle Ave Sept 2009

Jay-Z
"The Blueprint 3"
September 8, 2009

While the first Blueprint album was released on a truly horrific day, it provided escapism for many at the time and remains arguably the greatest opus in Jay's catalog. The album introduced Kanye West and Just Blaze to the forefront of the production world, with soulful soundscapes to complement Jigga's timeless quotables. B3 went into production in 2008, and last spring, Jay announced the album during a Kanye West concert at Madison Square Garden. He also debuted a track from the album, "Jockin' Jay-Z." Kanye, the only producer who has been announced for the album, recently told MTV News that he and Jay had scrapped some earlier tracks recorded for the LP (ones including the Auto-Tune device West used extensively on his recent 808s and Heartbreak LP), and he also revealed that his new artist, singer Mr. Hudson, will make an appearance on the record. Shaheem Reid

Black Crowes
"Before The Frost"
September 1, 2009

Earlier this year the Black Crowes invited fans to join them at Levon Helm Studios while they recorded a new album. As it turns out, the Crowes had enough material for two discs. "Before the Frost..." is set for a Sept. 1 release and will offer 11 songs including "Good Morning Captain," "I Ain't Hiding" and "Houston Don't Dream About Me." Folks who purchase the disc will be given a download code for a second release, "...Until The Freeze."

Boys Like Girls
"Love Drunk"
September 8, 2009

Boys Like Girl's frontman Martin Johnson said "Love Drunk," the follow-up to BLG's gold-certified self-titled 2007 debut, is "still definitely BLG. It doesn't stray off the path too much, but it doesn't sound as youthy, angsty and whiny. It's more grown up lyrically and musically and taking influences from all across the board, from every type of music and putting it into one and having a lot of fun. I think a lot more people will be able to relate to it."

Muse
"The Ressistance"
September 14, 2009

Recorded in Italy, The Resistance was mixed by famed audio engineer Mark "Spike" Stent, who is known for his work with U2, Depeche Mode, No Doubt, and Oasis, among many others. Over the last few years, Muse - comprised of vocalist/guitarist Matt Bellamy, bassist Chris Wolstenholme and drummer Dom Howard - have played to sold-out crowds worldwide in support of Black Holes, which spawned modern rock hits "Knights Of Cydonia," "Starlight" and "Supermassive Black Hole."