New CD Releases: January 15, 2008

A little bit of old school, a little bit of new school on the charts this week.

According to Magnetic Fields' mastermind Stephin Merritt, the group's latest album, Distortion, was inspired by The Jesus and Mary Chain. We think the Scottish post-punk thing is a good look for Merritt and Co.
-Read an interview with Stephin Merritt at Pop Matters
-Stream the entire album on AOL
-Magnetic Fields are featured in the latest All Songs Considered broadcast
-And Merritt participated in ASC’s ‘Project Song’ Series
-Read an album review in Rolling Stone
-Buy Distortion

We were blown away when we first heard Raheem DeVaughn's neo-soul ballad, "You," nearly two years ago. Hopefully more people will catch on to DeVaughn with his latest album, Love Behind the Melody.
-Read a profile of DeVaughn in Billboard
-DeVaughn is currently on tour with Jill Scott, and is performing in Houston in February
-Stream the entire album at AOL
-Read an interview with DeVaughn in Allhiphop
-AllMusic likes DeVaughn's new record
-Buy Love Behind the Melody

Life has been good to the Beatles, and the group's living alums have chosen to make sunny nostalgic pop albums in their later years. Ringo Starr reminisces about the good old days on his latest solo effort, Liverpool 8, recorded with the help of the Eurythmics' Dave Stewart.
-Read an album review in the Times
-Read an interview with Starr in Rolling Stone
-Stream the entire album at Vh1’s The Leak
-Buy Liverpool 8