The long-lived Joan Jett, whose ’80s signature “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” blared from every radio in the world way back in 1982, returns after a decade’s absence sounding like she’s still digging her scene. “A.C.D.C.” is a playful, gender-bending “is she or isn’t she” fist-waving anthem about a woman who’s got “girls all over […]
Goofball pop is due for a comeback in the United States — after all, things have been all too serious and hardcore on radio for the greater part of the decade. Brandy Moss-Scott’s “Lollipop” is as good a bid for airplay as Cascada’s recent top 10, “Everytime We Touch,” with this song’s irresistible sing-along hook: […]
“Put Your Records On” has already propelled Corrine Bailey Rae to U.K. stardom, thanks to her debut song’s cool, loungy groove and neo-soul imprint: Think Des’ree meets Erykah Badu. Sparse acoustic production furthers a feel-good live vibe — like the entertainment you hired for your summer garden brunch. As appealing as it is, “Records” could […]
The third album from British duo Zero 7 will surprise many. With its 2001 debut, “Simple Things,” and 2004’s “When It Falls,” Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns created a Zero 7 sound, but “The Garden” finds the duo deviating from what came before. The folk and electronic elements are ever-present, but the chilled-out downtempo […]
After six years of middling success on the country charts, Moorer, in pitch-perfect collaboration with new producer/husband Steve Earle, comes storming out of her doldrums with a stunning shot of muscular, melodic rock. Substantive lyrics pervade the album’s 10 cuts, as does an absolute commitment to the power of bass, drums and guitars. Beatlesesque […]
The whiz kid from Kyrgyzstan returns with a live set from New York’s famed Blue Note, joined by bassist Marco Panascia and drummer Todd Strait, as well as special guest trumpeters Chris Botti and Roy Hargrove. The young pianist courses through classics like “Straight, No Chaser” and “Take the A Train” with blazing chops […]
Colombian singer/songwriter Fonseca evokes Carlos Vives in his fusion of pop with traditional Colombian vallenato and cumbia. But Fonseca boasts a sound all his own, grounded in a fine, compelling voice and some very catchy fare. “Corazon,” Fonseca’s sophomore album and his first to be released in the United States, features the single “Te […]
U.K. post-punks the Futureheads ditch their signature breakneck pace to explore more midtempo sounds on the follow-up to their acclaimed 2004 debut. The Sunderland, England-based quartet still has a penchant for tightly coiled structures that spring with pop bursts (”Return of the Beserker,” “Face”). And the use of trade-off lyrics and crashing harmonies by […]
After getting signed to G-Unit, the veteran Queensbridge duo of Prodigy and Havoc bragged that they were now “superstars.” Maybe not yet lil soldiers, but Blood Money is still a marked improvement over the last few MD albums. Hav and P sound surprisingly good meshing their laconically menacing style with G-Unit’s hook-heavy production. If […]
Commemorating the 40th anniversary of Nat King Cole’s death in 1965, this compilation is the CD companion of an excellent DVD/documentary. Produced with the blessing of his estate, this disc is a thorough survey of his timeless genius–all recorded on the Capitol label. It captures his sumptuous and soothing tenor voice crooning on the […]
Fifteen albums in, Sonic Youth remains one of the most reliable, uncompromising rock acts of its generation. On the heels of 2002’s delightful but meandering “Murray Street” and 2004’s uneven “Sonic Nurse,” “Rather Ripped” is a concise serving of what the band does best. The opening one-two punch of the Kim Gordon-sung “Reena” and […]
Busta Rhymes is a hip-hop veteran, but after a four-year hiatus, he’s not only resurrecting his own career, but New York hip-hop entirely. His move from Sony BMG’s J to Dr. Dre’s Interscope-based Aftermath has yielded more creative freedom on an album that features contributions from Stevie Wonder, Nas, Timbaland, Missy Elliott, will.i.am and even […]
Shadows Fall digs deep into its thrash influences on the follow-up to its 2004 breakout, “The War Within.” “Will to Rebuild” and “Haunting Me Endlessly” are relentless foot-stompers tailor-made for the road, while “Going, Going, Gone” is a bellow of fury, every note being propelled at 100 mph. Elsewhere, a cover of Dangerous Toys’ […]
Cheap Trick didn’t have to name its new album “Rockford” to remind us where the band comes from. From the opening adrenaline rush of “Welcome to the World,” the majestically bittersweet “O Claire” and playfully rocking “Decaf,” Cheap Trick’s 15th studio album exudes the melodic drive that fueled its early years. And it came […]
