K Pop leads off this week's list of new albums. It is also an outstanding week to dig deeper into alternative acts you may not find familiar, but will be a rewarding listening experience.
1. Girls' Generation - Boys
Courtesy Interscope
Nine piece girl group Girls' Generation is bringing K-Pop to America with their first full-length album on Interscope. K-Pop, or Korean pop music, is a fast growing phenomenon which has spread across Asian pop music markets and is headed to the US. The group's single "Gee" is one of the longest running #1 hits at home in South Korea.
2. The Big Pink - Future This
Courtesy 4AD
British electronic indie duo The Big Pink move in a more mainstream pop direction with their new album. The duo worked with producer Paul Epworth, Adele's collaborator on "Rolling In the Deep," for much of the album.
3. Kathleen Edwards - Voyageur
Courtesy Rounder
Kathleen Edwards has been one of the most critically acclaimed American artists for nearly the last 10 years. Her most recent album Asking For Flowers just missed the top half of the Billboard album chart. Voyageur was produced by Justin Vernon, aka Bon Iver.
4. Ani DiFranco - Which Side Are You On?
Courtesy Righteous Babe
Ani DiFranco has been of the most acclaimed and revered indie folk-pop artists for 15 years. Which Side Are You On? is her first new studio album in over three years. The title is taken from a classic 1930s protest song. The title song features legendary folk performer Pete Seeger.
5. Jessie Baylin - Little Spark
Courtesy Blonde Rat
Singer-songwriter Jessie Baylin performs a blend of country, folk, and California style singer-songwriter pop. She is also the wife of Kings of Leon's drummer Nathan Followill.
6. Kidz Bop Kids - Kidz Bop 21
Courtesy Razor and Tie
No Kidz Bop collection has ever hit #1 on the album chart, but three of them have reached #2. This new collection of mainstream pop songs re-recorded by children as vocalists is likely to be another chart hit for the franchise.
7. Enter Shikari - A Flash Flood Of Colour
Courtesy Hopeless Records
Post-hardcore group Enter Shikari are one of the hottest of rock bands in the UK. A Flash Flood Of Colour is on target to be their first #1 hit album at home. That makes it a perfect time for the group to kindle a strong fan base here in the US. They have injected new energy into a genre that has been on a commercial fade here in recent years.
8. Martina McBride - Hits and More
Courtesy Sony Nashville
This is country star Martina McBride's first new greatest hits collection in 10 years. Hits and More provides excellent coverage of a career that has generated 18 top 10 country hit singles.
9. Bombay Bicycle Club - Different Kind Of Fix
Courtesy A&M
Indie pop band Bombay Bicycle Club move away from the acoustic oriented sound of their second album. In its place they perform more electronic and dance-oriented pop.
10. Attack Attack! - This Means War
Courtesy Rise Records
This is the heaviest, most focused rock album from Attack Attack! yet. Despite criticism for gimmicky production effects, the band reached the top 30 of the album chart with their last studio effort.
