hot out of the oven... new music!

Here are some of this week's new releases:

Britney Spears- Blackout
The long-awaited(?) new album from Britney. It’s getting decent reviews in the production department, but I suppose it remains to be seen whether or not her fans have stuck around to appreciate it.


Blues Traveler- Cover Yourself
Ok, not a ‘new’ album, but interesting to say the least. The title says it all. They have covered themselves. This is sort of a greatest hits compilation, but every song is reworked. You’ll recognize them, but only after a few seconds of listening. A fun way to release a greatest hits.


Backstreet Boys- Unbreakable
They’re back… minus one member (Kevin Richardson) and if you liked the boys before, you’ll probably dig their 6th release. It’s unlikely they will rise to the crazy levels of popularity that they did in years past, but all-in-all, they did a pretty good job.


Saves The Day- Under The Boards
They started a bit more hardcore punk, but they have progressively moved into pop/punk land. May be ok for some. It’s tough to keep up with the lineup changes and makes it hard to really grow close to these guys for me, but I’ve been checking out the album and it’s very melodic and an easy listen.


Graham Colton Band- Here Right Now
Graham has traveled around with the likes of Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Maroon 5 and Guster… he is evolving nicely and this new album proves it. Very pleasant listen!


The Bee Movie Soundtrack-
This includes music from the movie, plus a track from Sheryl Crow.


Avenged Sevenfold- Self-Titled
This is the first album by the band to be self-produced. Harder than ever for the AS fan that wanted a bit more. Yup, angry. Bring it!

quality, not quantity this week...

Here are some of the releases for the week of October 16, 2007

Santana- Ultimate Santana **Sam’s Pick**
This is a greatest hits, but one of those you actually WANT to add to your collection because it encompasses Santana’s older solo work and some of his most notable collaborations. Plus, you get some new fun as well, like a previously unreleased version of “The Game Of Love” where he teams up with Tina Turner!! Also included… a song with Jennifer Lopez and Baby Bash that has not been released before. As well, you get the sweet new song “Into The Night” featuring Chad Kroeger of Nickelback. Hot!


Vast- April **Sam’s Pick**
I have loved VAST from the second I heard the very first album Video, Audio, Sensory Theatre…which was released nearly 10 years ago. Since then, VAST’s melancholy, dreary, sad yet highly emotional and beautifully crafted music has been something I require in my own collection. April is definitely an evolution for VAST, but a delightful return. It’s been 3 years since the release of the last one, Turquoise and Crimson. I was lucky enough to see VAST several months ago at the Fox in Boulder and it was truly one of the most emotional shows I’ve watched. That night, VAST busted out an incredible version of the Moody Blue’s “Nights In White Satin” that I would do nearly anything to obtain.


The Fray- Reason EP
This EP was originally released in 2003, but that was just a tad before the Fray took the entire world by storm! So, here it is again for those of you that didn’t grab it the first time around. These are tracks that cannot be found on the band’s mega-superstar album How To Save A Life.


Butthole Surfers-Piouhgd/Widowmaker
What we have here is not really a ‘new’ album from the Butthole Surfers, but a rerelease that combines the 1990s Piouhgd with 1989s Widowmaker EP. Stuff you’ve heard before if you are one of the few fans who has delved into past the band’s most known release, Electriclarryland, but now you have them together for one delightfully weird listen… classic.


Nate Schierman- Risk
This kid is from my hometown. A singer/songwriter with a gift for pretty lyrics and music. He’s released all of his music on indie labels and done a monumental amount of the work himself. If you want to check out a virtually unknown artist, try this out. It’s a nice listen.

When you talk for a living, nothing's worse than strep!

Ok... I never get sick. Well, RARELY I will feel a bit ucky for a few days... maybe a slight cold or something, but going to doctor for being sick? Not something I normally have to do.

Monday I was feeling a bit funky and in the middle of the night, I woke up with my throat nearly swollen shut. Kinda freaky! So first thing Tuesday morning, I hauled myself down to an urgent care center. SinceI haven't had strep throat since I was a kid, I wasn't completely sure that's what was wrong. But a quick throat swab and the doc peering in and going... Whoa!!! indicated the verdict: strep.

It was horrible! I've rarely felt the pain that I felt with that stupid ailment. Everytime I swallowed, it felt like I was swallowing a handful of thumbtacks.... couldn't speak, couldn't eat, barely could get down WATER for pete's sake. So, for any of you who have suffered the same, I will forever be theee most empathetic person on the planet. I normally don't have a problem being empathetic, but experiencing something pretty much new makes it a lot easier to relate. Hehe.

Today I finally feel pretty normal. I have a sore throat, but I'm so grateful to be back on the airwaves, playing tunes and giving away tickets to you! Evanescence tickets today (several chances)! Also, the last day to enter my latest Sam's Six in the City... a night out with me and four of your friends! This week's prize is tickets to see Brandi Carlile at the Gothic Theatre next Saturday... we'll meet Brandi, too! She's one of my favorite female artists... hands down and I know you'll love her, as well. Her show is sold out, but you could be there anyway if you win. Head back to my page on the website to enter.

As far as the Rockies go, I'm still trying to figure out where I'm going to watch the game tonight. Last night, I parked my butt at home in front of my own tv because I was still feeling a bit funky, but I'm in the mood to head out tonight and cheer on our team with a bunch of other rabid fans! This is so exciting for me. I've always loved watching baseball, but never lived in a city that had a pro team until I moved here. Fortunately, my father would make the 3-hour drive to Seattle often when I was a kid to take me and my little brother to see the Mariners play at the old Kingdome. Some of my favorite memories... but now I'm cheering my heart out for the Rockies.

Have a great weekend. Be safe and I'll meet you back here Monday morning after Bj, Howie and Jennifer for a brand new week.

Thanks for reading.

xo,
Sam

Releases... week of Oct. 8th!

Oops.. actually finished this on Monday night and then didn't end up coming in Tuesday... so, here ya go: Some of this week's releases.

Vanessa Carlton- Heroes and Thieves
This is Vanessa’s third studio album and in the couple of times I’ve spoken to her about it, it seems like she’s found a more peaceful place within herself and able to just focus on what music flows from her. Rather than worry about what others want to hear. This is a beautiful collection of songs and Vanesssa’s piano playing has always been pleasant for me. We have a couple live tracks back on the site that she has played for us in studio and also a version of “A Thousand Miles” that she performed as the headliner of AuNaturAlice II.


Debbie Harry- Necessary Evil
It has been a long while since “Blondie” has given us a solo album, but here we go. It’s Debbie’s sixth solo release and this woman can still rock like nobody’s biz.

Alter Bridge- Blackbird
This is the second full-length by Ex-Creed members and a vocal powerhouse from my hometown (Myles Kennedy). Strangely enough, I never compared Myles vocals with Scott Stapp’s until I heard him with the new group. There are similarities, but in my opinion, they are more apparent when Myles is singing something more along the lines of a ballad. This is a pretty rockin’ cd… or at least, has some pretty rockin’ moments.


Electric Six- I Shall Exterminate Everything Around Me That Restricts Me From Being The Master
You may not think right off-hand that me, Sam Hill.. would be in love with such a band… if not, then we need to chat a LOT more. Hey, who can resist juicy lil’ nuggets like Lenny Kravitz, I Don’t Like You and When I Get To The Green Building. I saw these guys at the Bluebird several months back and it was one I will NEVER forget. So much fun!


Kid Rock- Rock N Roll Jesus
Three years he’s made us wait, but we have a new collection of dirty rock tunes from the one and only Kid Rock.

Megadeth- Warchest (4 CDs/DVD)
Yup… Megadeth fans… Here. It. Is. The definitive Megadeth in the band’s first ever boxed set. You’ll find 33 previously unreleased tracks. All in all, over 6 hours of music and all the bells and whistles in the pics and a full live DVD. And Dave Mustaine STILL has that long, shaggy red mane. Gotta give him props for that.


Will Hoge- Draw the Curtains
Will has been through Denver on several occasions, spreading something that is just a teensy bit different than the norm, but just normal enough to be compared to the energy of early Springsteen (I’m sure he is flattered). He has a decent blend of blues, rock, soul and even a smattering of R&B and country. A good listen… perfect for a lil’ road trip.

Bruce Springsteen- Under Review (DVD) This documentary film covers Bruce’s time from 1978-1982… during which he released three albums. Some people claim this was some of the finest live Bruce from a storytelling standpoint.