Music Report

Jay-Z, ever the marketing impresario, today released his new album entitled American Gangster as a companion piece to the film of the same name (notably shot in part on the block of West 24th Street more recently known for it collapsing buildings). Some are calling it a concept album, although that term has been overused lately, others will surely view the move as the next phase in Jay-Z sellout spiral. At least the consensus among reviewers pegs the album as a better showing then last album Kingdom Come. Jay-Z is accompanying the release with a VH1 Storytellers debuting Thursday at 9pm and a sold out show at Hammerstein Ballroom Sunday night. You can stream the album here:
http://www6.rocafella.com/jayz/jayz_meebo/

American Gangster has a lyric that transitions nicely into the next capsule; on Roc Boys he raps “Rich Niggas, Black Bar Mitzvahs/Mazel Tov, It’s a Celebration Bitches/L’Chaim/I wish for you a hundred years of success but it’s my time.”

Tracey Jordan, alter ego of Tracey Jordan on NBC’s 30 Rock, has taken the novelty song scene by storm with his track Werewolf Bar Mitzvah. It’s almost as if he’s beaten the Shabbats to the punch.
http://www.stereogum.com/archives/show-tunes/werewolf-bar-mitzvah.html

This next recommendation comes straight from my old lady with my endorsement. Aaron Schroeder is a solo pop-rocker with unabashed folk overtones. To my ear, his music sounds remarkably like that of Ben Folds Five which I think is an excellent resemblance to have.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15775517
http://www.aaronschroeder.com

So, I’ve been friendly with a couple of members of this band (Steel Train) for some time but I never bothered to listen to their music until this week. Turns out they play what might be described as a subdued variety of modern classic rock. And they’ll be headlining at Music Report-favorite venue Bowery Ballroom on Thursday 11/8. As a sidenote, the lead singer Jack previously dated Scarlett Johansson whose name comes up in some sappy songs written her honor. He now appears to be dating Alia Shawkat who played Maeby in Arrested Development. The one worry I have about this group is that their live performance may not offer significantly more than what you get from the album.
http://www.purevolume.com/steeltrain

Finally, a band many of us on the 6th Floor have enjoyed for some months chose this Tuesday as the release date for their new EP called Smith. The young Canadians (20 and under) of Tokyo Police Club rock like they are still trying to bring down the garages and basements they began performing in. Fans have been hungry for this new release ever since their first EP A Lesson in Crime clocked in at a fleeting 16 minutes and 22 seconds. TPC don’t currently have a show scheduled in the New York area but tend to be in the area every few months or so.
http://tokyopoliceclub.com/