New Releases Tuesday - 5/2

Ellen Allien and Apparat - Orchestra of Bubbles (BPitch Control) Combine the smooth dance groove of BPitch Control founder Ellen Allien with the darker moodiness of Shitkatapult co-head Apparat and you get the best electronic record of the year so far. Of course, it helps to have a penchant for Berlin techno, but I'd still recommend this to anyone with a vague interest in DJ culture. Wolfmother - Wolfmother (Interscope) With an album that opens with the hum from a tube-amp turned all the way to eleven, followed by a bombastic Bonham drum blast with dual-riffing guitars in tow, it must be time to turn the black light on, spark a doobie, and launch into stoner rock nirvana. Steeped in the rich traditions of Sabbath, Blue Cheer, Deep Purple, Leslie West, and JRR Tolkien, this CD is as the first track claims, "Colossal." -Gabe Burger The Charlatans - Simpatico (Sanctuary) It's been over 15 years since they first hit the charts with their Deep Purple-robbing single "The Only One I Know" and about 12 years since all their Madchester peers fizzled out, but amazingly the Charlatans are still at it. Jon Auer - Songs From The Year of Our Demise (Pattern 25) Another flashback from the early 90s, the co-founder of Seattle popsters The Posies returns with his first full-length solo effort. Also this week... Alejandro Escovedo - The Boxing Mirror (Backporch) Baby Dayliner - Critics Pass Away (Brassland) Black Keys - Chulahoma: The Songs of Junior Kimbrough [EP] (Fat Possum) Brandtson - Hello, Control. (Militia Group) Court and Spark - Hearts (Absolutely Kosher) DeVotchka - Curse Your Little Heart EP (Ace Fu) Gomez - How We Operate (ATO) Human Television - Look At Who You're Talking To (Gigantic) Love of Everything - Superior Mold and Die (Record Label) Sunset Rubdown - S/T (Absolutely Kosher)