Several Classic Rockers Putting Out New Albums Today

If you're looking for some new music from some of your favorite classic rock artists, today is the day to buy.

Neil Young is releasing a new album with Crazy Horse today. It's called Americana and it's being touted as a rocking record of vintage folk song standards. I'm sure it's done only the way Neil Young can do it. In my humble opinion, I may not be a fan of all of Neil's work, but he does have the "guitar noise" down to a science. I'm actually surprised that he doesn't have his own fuzz pedal or distortion pedal by now. Americana, by the way is the first album for Neil Young and Crazy Horse in nine years. Neil Young, by the way is skipping going out on tour with Buffalo Springfield and instead heading out on tour with Crazy Horse. He's not completely ruling out a Buffalo Springfield reunion, but he told Rolling Stone that it's "Not happening now". There are no Crazy Horse dates scheduled for Minnesota, but Crosby Stills & Nash (Neil's other band) will be making a stop at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis in August.

Next up, it's ZZ Top. This one isn't necessarily a new record, per se, but it is new material and is just a taste of what's to come. Texicali is a four song digital download meant to whet our whistle until the full album comes out later this year. ZZ Top, meanwhile will be hitting Grand Casino Hinckley with the Gang of Outlaws Tour on June 29.

The Beach Boys are putting out their first album in 20 years today. If you're a fan of the Beach Boys, That's Why God Made the Radio is their first album of new material since the early 90's. I rather enjoyed the hooplah on the Grammy Awards this past winter. They were in good form and one Beach Boys fan I know got an advance copy and said that it was "Classic Beach Boys. There's no mistaking who it is."

Joe Walsh has teamed up with Electric Light Orchestra and Traveling Wilburys front man Jeff Lynne for Analog Man. I love Joe's voice, ELO is one of my favorite groups of all time and this album is extra special because my favorite Beatle is also part of it. Ringo Starr plays the drums! I think that's what I'm most excited about.

Paul Simon is releasing several different versions of the Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition. Among the editions, you'll find a four disc box set and a two disc double album.

Patti Smith also comes back on the scene today with her first album in eight years. It's called Banga. For this record, she went back to her roots and recorded it at Electric Lady Studios, which is the exact same place she did her debut album. Should be interesting. Patti, by the way is 65 (you go on, girl!) and though still feisty as all hell has settled down considerably since 1975, so if you're expecting the anger of Horses, you'll be disappointed.