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Dashboard, India.Arie, more: New releases at a glance | 155554__dashboard_l
DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL

JUNE 27 RELEASES

Dashboard Confessional, Dusk and Summer (Vagrant/Interscope)
Mr. ''Screaming Infidelities'' is all growed up — could that explain the guest presence of crusty Counting Crow Adam Duritz? Maybe... but it definitely explains how the band snagged a producer like Daniel Lanois (U2, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel).

India.Arie, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship (Motown)
Un.necessary !punc;tuation aside, Arie has always had a sure hand with neo-soul grooves and self-empowerment platitudes; she should deliver more of the same on this follow-up to 2003's gold-certified Voyage to India.

Pet Shop Boys, Fundamental (Rhino)
A quarter of a century on, the synth-pop legends are still in fighting form; the U.K. release of Fundamental has already gone Top 5 in their homeland, and is being hailed by many critics as a fine return to form — as well as surprisingly political.

Grant Lee Phillips, nineteeneighties (Rounder)
The former Grant Lee Buffalo frontman takes his solo career a step further with these semi-acoustic covers of songs from the titular decade; look for stripped-down takes on Echo & the Bunnymen, the Pixies, Joy Division (barely '80s, but who's counting?), and the Cure.

Warrant, Born Again (MTM)
Sweeter than cherry pie and a red firehose on a hot blond: the return of one of the '80s' most hair-iffic metal bands, after a 10-year absence of new material.

Afroman, Drunk 'n' High (Siccness)
More D.A.R.E. jams for conscientious moms and dads, from the reggae star who brought you 2001's mega-hit ''Because I Got High.'' Last month he announced on British television that he had found the Lord; apparently, a Lord who still gives the thumbs-up on wine, women, and weed.

Hector Bambino, Roc La Familia & Hector Bambino 'El Father' Present Los Rompe Discotekas (Def Jam)
Already a huge name on the Puerto Rican reggaeton scene, Bambino now comes knocking on U.S. doors with a few good friends in tow: His American debut's guests include Memphis Bleek, Don Omar, Fat Joe, and el presidente himself, Jay-Z.

Dead Celebrity Status, Blood Music (Bodog)
Dead or not, the Canadian hip-hop trio still has impressive celebrity pull: Guests include Dave Navarro, Joss Stone, Twiggy Ramirez, and DJ Lethal.

Lostprophets, Liberation Transmition (Columbia)
The generically anthemic British rockers, supposedly named after a 1988 Duran Duran concert bootleg, return with their first release since 2004's Start Something.

Billy Talent, Billy Talent II (Atlantic)
If you missed this Canadian hardcore band's one-day free-for-all on their MySpace page (it was June 23), you'll have to pay for the tracks on Billy Talent II. But since they've earned just about every MuchMusic and Juno award our neighbors to the north have nominated them for over the last few years, it just might be worth your American dollar.

JULY 4 RELEASES

Johnny Cash, American V: A Hundred Highways (American/Lost Highway)
Quite likely the final posthumous release from the Man in Black, including several original compositions as well as his take on songs by Springsteen, Gordon Lightfoot, Rod McKuen, and Hank Williams.

Blow Up Hollywood, The Diaries of Private Henry Hill (MJ12 Music)
The band name says Sunset Strip glam, but the title hints at something much heavier: Reportedly, it's all based on the journals of a U.S. soldier killed in the Iraq war.

Peter Gammons, Never Slow Down, Never Grow Old (Rounder)
...And never say an ESPN sports guy can't make a record. The esteemed baseball analyst and Boston rock fan gets buddies like George Thorogood and Julianna Hatfield (no, seriously!) to guest on his musical debut.

Ziggy Marley, Love Is My Religion (Tuff Gong)
More positive vibrations from Bob's prodigal son. Man, remember ''Tomorrow People''? That was a good one.

Rise Against, The Sufferer & the Witness (Geffen)
Off spreading the angst this summer on tour with From Autumn to Ashes and Comeback Kids, this Chicago hardcore outfit continues to spread the gospel of punk, love, and not eating animal flesh (but dairy's okay).


Posted Jun 27, 2006 | Order Article Reprints