CMJ used to be my Release Radar of sorts. It would come as a CD, in the mail, monthly. Now I get my new music delivered weekly (every Friday), via another form of mail, email. Actually, it’s even easier than that, all I have to do is open up an app, every Friday morning, and it’s right there waiting for me.

This week I’ve noticed how tired I’ve grown of the constant collaborations (see above). This is an ongoing trend that has plagued the last decade. While this can work well on occasion, for the most part, there are too many cooks in the kitchen.

For instance, Weezer has been involved in several of them lately. Their latest with Awolnation is a brick, but I did happen to like their song with The Avalanches. It’s mostly Rivers Cuomo’s voice on these tracks that I have become wary of. It can leave a lot to be desired, seeming one dimensional, and pouty. Too bad they didn’t release this version of “Where Is My Mind,” as a new single. He sounds pretty bitching here with the ‘Nation.

The best song of the week goes to Car Seat Headrest. I’ve been waiting for something to grab me like “There Must Be More Than Blood,” and it’s finally arrived.

This is their 4th single from Making A Door Less Open, due out in May. I love that album title, and I love this song. Now let’s get fucking excited!

The Killers get funky on “Fire And Bone,” and it’s a great change of pace. When I first heard “Somebody Told Me,” almost 20 years ago, I couldn’t have imagined they would still be relevent, making quality music. They sounded so one-dimensional (there’s that word again) while Flowers seemed like a wannabe. Boy, was I wrong. I have to thank my brother Andy for really showing me them again after I’d long written them off.

Singer-songwriter Jake Bugg gives us the beautifully fingerpicked “Saviours Of The City,” sounding a tad like The Decemberists, which I don’t mind in small doses.

Brendan Benson returns again with “Dear Life,” and it sounds power pop-rocking.

JR JR adds another sweet gem to our radar, “This Side Of Paradise.”

Word has it that they will release a double album called Invocations / Conversations, on May 31st, through their recently announced record label Love Is EZ Records, in partnership with Secretly Distribution. The colored vinyl looks beautiful!

Have I told you lately…how much I love Murs? He tears up “How Great!”

Atmosphere gets a verse on this Jabee cut, “Checkmate,” and BJ The Chicago Kid continues to drop quality rhymes on this AMA track, “Too Late For That.”

Who got the jazz, we got the jazz! This week’s slice is a classical cover of “Georgia On My Mind,” from Jack Jezzro and David Davidson. It’s a relaxing piece of joy for you to meditate on. TGIF!

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