Another week, another Tuesday, another flurry of new music. As new albums drop, this column will do its best to track the notable releases so you don’t have to. Only new material is included in this list; compilations, re-releases, live albums and remixes will generally not be covered.

The last update from this column concerning new music was way back in 2007, though in the ensuing weeks the only notable releases were the CD and vinyl versions of Radiohead’s In Rainbows, famously debuted electronically earlier in 2007. Well, those and the little matter of a full party album released by hip-hop dynamos Atmosphere dubbed Strictly Leakage, available completely free from their website. This first installment of the new year is a fairly active one so without further ado, the list:

• Sia - Some People Have Real Problems

If your first reaction to hearing Sia for the first time is “She sounds like Amy Winehouse” you are half right. The occasional Zero 7 vocalist predates Winehouse with her first album having been released in 1997. She has an incredibly soulful voice; expansive and expressive.

• Marah - Angels of Destruction

Marah has been a sort of revolving door of musicians since their first album in 1998. They’ve played their straightforward rock tunes at pretty much every rock festival ever, and after several member shifts actually settled into a line-up featuring three guitars. There’s a lot of old-time rock and roll in their sound (Bob Seger would be proud) so if that sounds intriguing check them out.

• Kate Nash - Made of Bricks

This Irish singer/songwriter’s upbeat debut album is an interesting mix of sounds. She has a bit of Lily Allen, but a certain catch in her voice when she sings also evokes a bit of Regina Spektor.

• The Shondes - The Red Sea

High powered rock with a good beat and a sharp-edged vocal in the riot grrl tradition.

• Avenger of Blood - Death Brigade

The Myspace heading for this band’s page reads “Thrash Thrash Thrash” and that pretty much describes it all. Breakneck metal for metalheads.

Not too shabby at all for a first week back and you can rest assured that there are many more to come. The actions never stops if you keep checking up on What’s New.

© Eric Atienza 2008 for Listen In. Some rights reserved.

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