More than a decade removed from its “Throwing Copper” heyday, Live has settled too comfortably into the skin of a middle-of-the-road rock act. Although the thinking-man’s group remains consummate performers, 10 cuts on “Songs From Black Mountain” are inspired by vocalist Ed Kowalczyk giving thanks to his personal muses. There is nothing wrong with […]
On his second artist album, Oakenfold appears at the crossroads of stylistic indecision. With nods to rock, dance, hip-hop and electronica, Oakenfold has created an eclectic song collection that does not always jell. While there are moments of pure bliss (the New Order-hued “No Compromise” featuring Spitfire), too many tracks meander aimlessly without finding the […]
Vocalist Katherine Whalen, formerly of Squirrel Nut Zippers and the Jazz Squad, returns with an album that bears no real resemblance to anything she’s previously tracked. After the Zippers’ retro-centricity and her jazz trip, “Secrets” is an idiosyncratic pop album. While tunes such as the title track, “Angel” and “Meet Me by the Fire” […]
Christina Aguilera has come a long way from the youth pop class of 2000. Upcoming album “Back to Basics,” a “modern take on vintage jazz and blues,” may test her core, but first single “Ain’t No Other Man” is primed for radio saturation, with its hip, melodic imprint and the world-class diva’s instantly recognizable vocals. […]
After much critical acclaim in 2004 — and unbridled success everywhere but the United States — a rockier, dare we say, edgier Keane emerges on “Is It Any Wonder” from rousing sophomore set “Under the Iron Sea.” With an intro reminiscent of U2, the track traverses darker territories with a wide range of keyboards twisted […]
“Nice Day” may first come across as a trippy, alterna-pop slow-grow single, but it takes only a trio of spins to recognize this as a clever secret-weapon record that will set a top 40 (or modern rock) station apart from all others. Remixes of this song have already made an impact via Hilton TV ads, […]
“Baby Makin’ Music,” the Isley Brothers’ new album, boasts an impressive roster of hot collaborators eager to jump on the Isley’s five-decade legacy, but it fails to offer innovation beyond the bells and whistles. “Blast Off,” written, produced, arranged by and featuring R. Kelly, begins with a sultry countdown that plays on the song’s rocket-ship […]
E-40 has been charged with bringing northern California’s Bay Area hip-hop to the rest of the nation, and “U and Dat” delivers with nasty rap class. It’s fundamental that sexually explicit tracks with comical lingo and a catchy hook always win, and 40 knows this. Teaming with T-Pain and Xscape’s Kandi Girl, the track is […]
Newcomer DeAnda was signed on the spot after auditioning for BMG chief Clive Davis and is raring for mainstream success. The first single from her July 18 self-titled debut is packed with commercial appeal. The song’s layered harmonies and rueful lyric showcase DeAnda’s sweet voice, revealing maturity well beyond her 16 years. Although the track […]
Cashing in on the trend of reality-star-turned-pop singer, Brooke Hogan throws her hat into the wrestling ring with “About Us.” At first listen, it’s better than expected, catchy and fun. Produced by Scott Storch and featuring rapper Paul Wall, adding to its “street cred,” the hip-hop-flavored single is already garnering spins on R&B radio. Skeptics […]
Superchick has already made its mark via more than two dozen credits in such TV shows and films as “Legally Blonde” and “Alias.” But “We Live” not only belies the quintet’s cursory multimedia exposure, but also its ill-chosen name, which conjures less depth than what is revealed on record. With a surprisingly accessible reggae-meets-hip-hop […]
It’s time for Ashanti to pay up.
So says her ex-manager, who has filed suit against the Grammy-winning singer alleging breach of contract and seeking millions of dollars in damages, Billboard reports.
The complaint, filed in Manhattan federal court on behalf of Linda Berk, asserts that she was hired in 1999 as a comanager alongside Ashanti’s mother, […]
Barbra Streisand announced Thursday that she will embark on a national concert tour this fall, her first in over a decade.
Streisand will play 20 concerts in U.S. cities during October and November, her manager, Martin Erlichman, said in a statement. Her last U.S. tour was in 1994.
The 64-year-old singer-actress plans to give “designated proceeds” from […]
Onstage, Madonna wears designs by Jean Paul Gaultier; offstage, the 47-year-old pop star and her “Confessions” world tour entourage will choose clothing from H&M’s 2006 collection.
Hennes & Mauritz AB, a fashion retailer with over 1,200 stores in 22 countries, announced Thursday that it will supply a complete offstage wardrobe for the Material Girl and her […]
