New CD releases: fun., Sleigh Bells, Chieftains

fun., “Some Nights” (Fueled by Ramen)

Nate Ruess is on the verge of something big with fun., a New York City group that also features Andrew Dost of Anathallo and Jack Antonoff of Steel Train. The great Janelle Monáe, who guests on “We Are Young,” had this to say: “Nate Ruess’ voice is legendary. Their music is special. To watch fun. is to perhaps watch the renaissance of Queen mixed with their own fresh approach to music.”

Sleigh Bells, “Reign of Terror” (Mom + Pop Music)

Their speaker-shredding noise-rock reinvention of the classic girl-group template really hits its stride here, five songs in, on “Leader of the Pack.” It’s not the Shangri-Las song, but it does share certain strands of DNA — only this “Leader” takes all its pop sensibilities and girl-group charms and smashes them against a wall of punishing guitar by Derek Miller. Other highlights range from this year’s “We Will Rock You” to “Crush,” to “Comeback Kid,” which makes the most of Alexis Krauss’ wistful charms, especially the part that finds her sighing, “You’ll go away but you’ll come back someday.” It sounds like Sleigh Bells doing what they do, and no one does it better. Read the review

The Chieftains, “Voice of Ages” (Hear Music/Concord)

The traditional Irish music standard-bearers have put together quite the guest list to ring in their 50th anniversary — Bon Iver, the Decemberists, the Low Anthem, Civil Wars, Pistol Annies, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Punch Brothers, Lisa Hannigan, Imelda May and Paolo Nutini, none of whom can say they’ve been around for 50 years. The album was produced by T Bone Burnett and the Chieftains’ own Paddy Moloney, who says, “With 50 years of glorious music behind us, I can think of nothing more exciting than to spend another 50 years collaborating with the best voices of the future.”

Sinead O’Connor, “How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?” (MRI)

This year marks the 25th anniversary of “The Lion and the Cobra,” and the Irish singer hasn’t given up on courting controversy, it seems — weighing in on the Catholic Church child-abuse scandals on “Take Off Your Shoes.” O’Connor has said the song, which begins with a mantra “I bleed the blood of Jesus over you … and over every (expletive) thing you do,” is how she’d imagine the Holy Spirit would address the Vatican. And it makes ripping up a picture of the pope on “Saturday Night Live” seem like a muted gesture by comparison. O’Connor wrote or co-wrote all but one song, a cover of John Grant’s “Queen of Denmark.”