Tom Petty’s new album is a surprisingly moody affair. Showing a growing disillusionment with the promise of freedom, “Highway Companion,” Petty’s first solo effort in 12 years, is also his most personal and heartfelt to date.
Melancholic road anthems like the blues-powered “Saving Grace” and hard-edged “Turn This Car Around” don’t stick to the usual […]
After self-releasing “The Loon” last November, Minneapolis quartet Tapes ‘N Tapes have skyrocketed to indie rock’s Next Big Thing status, thanks in part to a blog-fueled buzz and an album that actually lives up to the hype. The group has managed to harness obvious Pixies/Pavement influences into a tight package, best heard on opener […]
“Elysium for the Brave” is Ali’s second solo project, the follow-up to her stunning 2002 solo debut, “Portals of Grace.” The new set is a gripping fusion of electronica, traditional Middle Eastern instruments such as frame drum and ney flute, and Ali’s exquisite voice. Most material is sung in English, a first for Ali, […]
Ronstadt and Savoy previously recorded together on the Grammy Award-nominated Cajun album “Evangeline Made.” This time around, they’ve combined with such players as Sam Bush, Dirk Powell, Stuart Duncan, Joel Savoy, Byron House and Sam Broussard to track a project that’s more a pure folk-roots album than a specifically Acadian effort. Songs range from […]
Rapper David Rolas’ third album is more aggressive than his previous efforts. It is also more far-reaching, bilingual and contains collaborations with the likes of Sporty Loco and Rogelio Martinez. Bicultural Rolas is proud of his West Coast roots, but we don’t need to hear it stated track after track. The album vacillates between […]
Edie Brickell’s enormously underrated “Volcano,” released two years ago, marked an exciting departure even though it was not a hit album. Now, the singer/songwriter attempts to recapture the past by reuniting with the New Bohemians, the band behind her 1988 calling card “What I Am.” One can hear that these old friends are having […]
Jesse McCartney puts his pretty-boy pout to good effect on “Right Where You Want Me,” a jangly pop-rock insta-hit that is destined to steamroll the top 40 airwaves in one hot summer second. The song adds a bit of edge to previous efforts along with a falsetto refrain and a singalong chorus that somewhat conjures […]
As the unstoppable “Dani California” continues its run on rock radio, the Peppers unleash a sun-drenched, bass-heavy cut from “Stadium Arcadium.” Bringing back the funk, “Tell Me Baby” is driven by Flea’s bass-slapping salvos and gushes a catchy pop chorus over a crisp feel-good shuffle. It’s a classic funk-rocker, featuring one of Anthony Kiedis’ madcap […]
Sans the Ludacris/Disturbing Tha Peace affiliation, Chingy’s 2004 album, “Powerballin’,” pretty much tanked. The St. Louis rapper will attempt to regain his status (remember his No. 2 hit “Right Thurr?”) with third disc “Hoodstar” due in September. Lead single “Pullin’ Me Back,” featuring charismatic crooner Tyrese, is a smart move. It aims straight for the […]
Disturbed has spruced up Genesis’ 1986 hit “Land of Confusion” with a modern coat of hard rock to good effect. The more you listen to the lyric about global unrest, the more sense it makes for a group of Disturbed’s ilk to revise it. The band left the original pretty much intact, giving the guitars […]
Christian-turned-AC supertalent Natalie Grant is on the cusp of becoming a mainstream star, thanks to current album “Awaken,” which is replete with universal themes concurrent with the latter format’s need to sniff out new talent to revamp its identity. First, Grant is a world-class singer, giving adult-contemporary radio the ballads it needs to connect with […]
You might think you have “I Loved Her First” all figured out after the first few lines, but then it throws a delightful curve. As you listen to lead vocalist Jason Albert sing about a couple dancing, you initially think it’s a guy watching his ex-girlfriend. Then as the song progresses, you realize it’s a […]
At home in Australia, the Veronicas are unstoppable with five top 10 smasheroos, including new U.S. single “When It All Falls Apart,” an utter harmonic delight. Identical twins Lisa Marie and Jessica Louise Orgliasso are giving it their best shot, touring across the United States this summer, following previous outings with Ashlee Simpson, the Click […]
With visions of disco balls and cabaret dancers still swirling in our heads from summer sleeper hit “I Write Sins Not Tragedies,” Panic! at the Disco has every intention of holding us in its spell. Without missing a beat, “But It’s Better If You Do” graciously picks up where “Sins” left off. Its bouncy, lovelorn […]
