New Releases: The White Stripes Get Canadians Icky

Usually when a band book an 18-date tour across Canada, it's because they're either Canadian or a journeyman American group who realize there's an untapped market just waiting to pay to see them. The less likely scenario is when a major band book said tour on the heels of the release of one of the most anticipated records of the year. But that's exactly what's happening with The White Stripes, who release Icky Thump this Tuesday and then begin their cross-Canada trek — which includes a stop in Nunavut — on Sunday.

Here's one thing I've never been able to definitively find out about The Polyphonic Spree: one of the credited singers on their first record was Chris Penn. Now I'm sure it was just a coincidence, and that it wasn't the actor Chris Penn. Right? It's just that nothing is unfeasible when it comes to people from Hollywood. They're like superheroes, in that they can appear in any place at any time (to act). Anyway, for obvious reasons, Chris Penn the actor is unlikely to make an appearance on the group's new LP, The Fragile Army, which is out this week.

Speaking of hype bands from five years ago and labels they used to be on, The Mooney Suzuki have had a tough 2007. Their label (and that of the Stripes), V2, folded just moments before their new album, Have Mercy, was to be released. So they've spent the rest of the year trying to find new suitors for the less punk affair. And the winner: some label called Elixia. Good work Sammy and co.

Here are some of this week's other releases:

ELLEN ALLIEN Fabric 34 (Fabric)
DAVID BARZAN Fewer Moving Parts (Barsuk/Outside)
CPC GANGBANGS Mutilation Nation (Swami)
DANNY MICHEL & THE BLACK TORNADOS Live (Burnt Bun Music/Maple/Fontana North)
FABOLOUS From Nothin' To Somthin' (Def Jam/Universal)
ROBERT FORSTER AND GRANT McLENNAN Intermission - The Best Of (Beggars)
FRIDGE The Sun (Temporary Residence/Sonic Unyon)
THE GHOST IS DANCING The Darkest Spark (Sonic Unyon)
GRADY A Cup Of Cold Poison (Grady Enterprises/Fontana North)
JENNIFER GENTLE The Midnight Room (Sub Pop/Outside)
JOE KEITHLEY Band Of Rebels (Sudden Death)
LIFEHOUSE Who We Are (Geffen/Universal)
MINUS STORY My Iron Truss (Jagjaguwar/Sonic Unyon)
NADA SURF Karmic EP (Hi-Speed Soul/Outside)
BRAD PAISLEY 5th Gear (RCA/Sony BMG)
XAVIER RUDD White Moth (Salt X/Universal)
RUINER Prepare To Be Let Down (Bridge 9)
BOB SINCLAIR Soundz Of Freedom (Tommy Boy/Fontana North)
STATE OF SHOCK Life, Love & Lies (Cordova Bay/Fontana North)
TWO GALLANTS The Scenery Of Farewell (Saddle Creek/Outside)
ROCKY VOTOLATO The Brag And Cuss (Barsuk/Outside)