Mark Lanegan Band - "Blues Funeral" CD

After his brilliant work with UK electro-blues group the Soulsavers, Lanegan returns with a similar direction on his own, throwing down some dark-edged sounds (as the title reflects) in his own whiskey-soaked, inimitable way. Songs about drinking, hard-living, redemption, and cheating death are the order of the day. Standouts include "St. Louis Elegy" and "Riot In My House", which features one Joshua Homme. (4AD Records)

Mark Lanegan official site

Soulsavers - "Unbalanced Pieces" video

The latest Soulsavers album, "Broken", which features Mark Lanegan on vocals, is perhaps one of my favorite releases of the year. But it has yet to get an official, physical CD release in the United States, shamefully. Here's a vote for a real CD release here, as it would be considered a "must" for me. Anyone? Please?
Meanwhile, here's the brand new promo video, for "Unbalanced Pieces". Note that the album itself includes the participation of Dustin O'Halloran of Devics, Jason Pierce of Spiritualized, Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers, Mike Patton (of too many bands and projects to list), Martyn LeNoble (Jane's Addiction, Porno For Pyros), and, of course, the inimitable Mark Lanegan. Oh, and there's a stark and haunting take on Will Oldham's classic Palace gem, "You Will Miss Me When I Burn". If that doesn't sell you, well, you're just missing out or something...