So many awesome and long-awaited records out this week, but to this guy, none are more awesome nor more awaited than the Jack White-produced resurrection of Wanda Jackson. Wanda Jackson is just the goddamned best, and Jack White knows this; he wisely lets Wanda be Wanda on The Party Ain’t Over, and the results rival the incredible record he made with Loretta Lynn a while ago. Fuck the White Stripes; this guy is the new Rick Rubin when it comes to production.

Also of local note this week: Gainesville-based Papercranes finally have another record out, and, as we told you about a while ago, ex-James Brown drummer Tony Cook is finding his work compiled on a fine LP/CD from the folks at Stones Throw.

There’s so much more awesomeness, though. Seriously, this is just a list of highlights of the week’s releases.

  • Charles Bradley – No Time For Dreaming (Daptone)

  • Carolina Chocolate Drops – Carolina Chocolate Drops/Luminescent Orchestrii EP (Nonesuch)

  • Caroline – Verdugo Hills (Temporary Residence)

  • Chikita Violenta – Trees (Arts & Crafts)

  • Tony Cook – Back To Reality (Stones Throw)

  • Deerhoof – Deerhoof vs. Evil (Polyvinyl)

  • Delicate Steve – Wondervisions (Luaka Bop)

  • Destroyer – Kaputt (Merge)

  • The Ex – Catch My Shoe (Fishtank)

  • Gang of Four – Content (Yep Roc)

  • Iron & Wine – Kiss Each Other Clean (Warner Bros.)

  • Wanda Jackson – Party Ain’t Over (Nonesuch)

  • Talib Kweli – Gutter Rainbows (Talibra)

  • Amos Lee – Mission Bell (Blue Note)

  • Lia Ices – Grown Unknown (Jagjaguawar)

  • Roger Miret & the Disasters – Gotta Get Up Now (People LIke You)

  • Monotonix – Not Yet (Drag City)

  • Papercranes – Let’s Make Babies in the Woods (Manimal Vinyl)

  • Praxis – Profanation: Preparation for a Coming Darkness (M.O.D.)

  • The Radio Dept. – Passive Aggressive: Singles 2002-2010 (Labrador)

  • Thank You – Golden Worry (Thrill Jockey)

  • John Vanderslice – White Wilderness (Dead Oceans)


This article appears in Jan 26 – Feb 1, 2011.