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Adam Davis

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Rosanne Cash

The List

The story behind Rosanne Cash's new album is that when she was 18 and on the road with her father, Johnny Cash, they were talking about music and her father was alarmed at some of the songs she hadn't heard before.

He then spent the rest of the day creating a list of 100 essential country songs, handed it to her and called it her education.

Now, over 30 years later she has taken that list and made an album of classic country covers.

The album covers a lot of timeless material and you've heard most of it before but Cash gives each song her own personal touch.

She also calls on a few friends to help, including Jeff Tweedy, Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen and Rufus Wainwright. From Patsy Cline to Hank Snow to Bob Dylan, she covers a lot of classics on The List and it results in a really great album.

While fans of country music will love it, the material is so great that it transcends genres and will be appreciated by fans of music in general.

Highlights include Sea of Heartbreak with Bruce Springsteen, Long Black Veil with Jeff Tweedy and Girl From The North Country.

Acres and Acres

All Nations

Known as Acres and Acres, David Scholten and Kris Pope had some help from friends on their new album All Nations. Named after the church that most of the album was recorded in, All Nations is a great stripped-down folk album with a message.

The album comments on some of society's ills, everything from how we get our food to cellphones, but doesn't come across as too preachy, so you can just enjoy the music.

Scholten and Pope surrounded themselves with some East Coast favourites including Benn Ross, Rose Cousins, Amelia Curran, Don Brownrigg and the Ukeladies, and recorded a really great album.

I was surprised that this is their debut album as they come across as seasoned veterans on All Nations.

Some of the best music can come out of a gathering of talented friends and it appears Acres and Acres have accomplished this.

If you're a fan of folk music pick up All Nations.

Highlights include Appleseed, Joker and Don't Come Knockin'.

Deadmau5

For Lack Of A Better Name

Pronouced deadmouse, Toronto producer, Joey Zimmerman's, new album For Lack Of A Better Name is, according to his website, a compilation of random songs he's produced individually.

The songs flow together to reflect more of a live experience.

Now I have to admit that I'm not much of an authority on dance music, but there were a few tracks on this album that had my head bopping along to the beat.

A couple of tracks have vocals but For Lack Of A Better Name is mainly an instrumental dance album.

While a few songs stick out, I found a lot of the album reminded me of filler on a Pink Floyd album.

Now I'm a huge Pink Floyd fan but, after the fourth track, I found myself losing interest.

Each track flowed into the other a bit too well and I found it hard to distinguish one song from the other.

I'm sure someone who is a fan of this genre would be able to appreciate it more than me, though.

If you're looking for an album full of danceable tracks and funky beats, check out For Lack Of A Better Name.

Highlights include Moar Ghosts n Stuff, Hi Friend! and Strobe.

* Adam Davis is an avid music fan. His column appears weekly in Life & Times.