By marty 

After a pretty good year for music, if not the business itself, Stereogum recently compiled a listing of confirmed, estimated and wild-ass rumored album releases for 2008.  The listing details a wide range from the Breeders, Death Cab, B-52s and Michael Jackson’s latest attempt to generate cash flow. 

Two releases caught my nog-addled attention: Cat Power’s “Jukebox” out on January 22nd and Bob Mould’s “District Line” on February 5th.

“Jukebox” is another covers record from our dear Chan.  Tunes covered include challenging choices from Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” to the perennial show-stopper, “Theme from New York, New York.”  There is one original, “Song to Bobby,” which is her personal memoir/paean to Mr. Zimmerman.

From the early soft whine on the initial lyric “I waaaaant to tell you,” Chan does not hide her longing, artistically and otherwise, to Bob Dylan.  After describing a series of concert happenings and close calls,  she ends with the plaintive call for Bob to be her man.

Love songs to fellow performers, no matter the heights of their stature, tend to fall into the novelty category. However, “Song to Bobby” visits the heartache and anxiety of fandom that is generally avoided in similar hero hymns.  It is a beautiful song.

Another new release of note is Bob Mould’s “District Line.” Former Husker Du and Sugar frontman, Mould is set to release his seventh solo album.  After dabbling with dance music, electronica and professional wrestling,  Mould treats fans with a return to the power-pop, guitar-driven music, if the first released song is any indication.

“The Silence Between Us” is an atmospheric examination of the hidden thoughts of a relationship. It is great, tortured rock - a medium Bob knows so well.   A month before the album release, Bob will be joining musicians John Doe, Sean Lennon, Inara George, Sondre Lerche, and members of Rogue Wave, Belle and Sebastian and Grizzly Bear at the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles on January 8th.  The concert, entitled “Concrete Frequency: Songs of the City,”  promises songs of the joy, urgency, depression and heartache of the city dweller.  Should be an interesting show.

Other 2008 releases of note: 

Van Hunt - Popular - January 15th

Drive-By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation’s Dark - January 22nd

Joe Jackson - Rain - January 29th

The Mars Volta - The Bedlam in Goliath - January 29th

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend - January 29th

American Music Club - The Golden Age - February 19th

The Black Crowes - Warpaint - March 3rd

The B-52s - Funplex - March 11th

The Breeders - Mountain Battles - April 8th

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig - April 8th