“My Love,” is a disappointing follow-up to the summer sizzler “SexyBack.” With its sappy sentiment and mish-mashed styles, the song is not on par with Timberlake’s past hits. In fact, it’s one of the weakest tracks on the album “FutureSex/ LoveSounds.” That’s in part because the lyric is seriously lacking substance: “I can see us […]
The sophomore single from Janet’s “20 Y.O.” is about as intriguing and eventful as the previous “Call On Me” — and that means disaster. Opening with a promising rip from Herbie Hancock’s “Rockit,” the track soon disintegrates into a breathy, nonmelodic jam that is ultimately hijacked by rapper Khia. Janet has so much on the […]
Rocco DeLuca comes from another time and place, judging by his debut album, “I Trust You to Kill Me.” Unassuming and befuddled by the fact that he has to play music industry games to get his songs heard, this son of a blues player is truly an enigma in an industry that often turns individuality […]
Mya has become the new captain of sexy, single ladies as she struts her way back into the spotlight. New single, “AYO” (pronounced “ee-yo”), featuring hip-hop veteran DJ Kool, is a party anthem that finds the sultry singer just “tryin’ to enjoy herself,” while hating on the men who can’t keep her interest, satisfy or […]
Sweet Sara might have gotten off to a rocky start on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” but when it comes to delivering great country music, she makes it look effortless. She penned this gorgeous ballad — a heartfelt look at unconditional love — with Tony Martin and Tom Shapiro; the verses run the gamut from […]
Finnish band the Rasmus has gathered enough buzz to warrant stateside release of its 2005 album, “Hide From the Sun,” due Oct. 10. On lead single “No Fear,” the tinkling piano and sighing backup vocals, joined by crunchy guitar and crashing drums, will remind you of Finnish band HIM’s brooding romantic rock. The Rasmus isn’t […]
Turns out Beyonce’s birthday is not just a celebration for the singer, but for the whole music industry. The No. 1 bow by her second solo album, “B’Day,” also signals the first time in four months that album sales beat those of the comparable 2005 sales week.
Released September 5, the day after her 25th birthday, […]
Soprano Andrea Gruber, who starred in the title role of Puccini’s “Turandot” as Lyric Opera of Chicago began its 2006-07 season, loves the part so much that she has the opening words and notes of her character’s first aria tattooed on her lower back.
It’s good someone loves the Chinese ice princess so much — because […]
Texas rock trio ZZ Top has parted ways with the manager who helped form the band in 1969, according to a statement issued on Sunday.
In addition to splitting with Bill Ham, the band has also ended its tenure at RCA Records, 14 years after signing a five-album contract reportedly worth $30 million.
ZZ Top’s most recent […]
The ever-mutating DJ Shadow tries his hand with hyphy — a gritty, uptempo form of hip-hop from California’s Bay Area — on “The Outsider.” The album is likely to confuse some longtime followers while introducing him to hip-hop fans with more mainstream tastes. Hyphy heavyweights like Keak Da Sneak, Turf Talk and E-40 are […]
On 2004’s “The Girl in the Other Room,” Krall gambled that she would not alienate her standards-adoring fans by offering self-composed songs for the first time. The album triumphed, creatively and commercially, but on “From This Moment On,” Krall abstains from originals and returns to the well, delivering a remarkably rendered collection of tunes […]
The Rapture led a dance-rock resurgence with club hit “House of Jealous Lovers,” a nifty Gang of Four update that brought production duo the DFA to prominence. The DFA is M.I.A. for this new disc, but the Rapture proves that its initial success and sound were no flukes. Production team Ewan Pearson and Paul […]
Following up a solid debut like “Beautiful Soul” is no easy feat, so Jesse McCartney’s sophomore set, “Right Where You Want Me,” has a lot riding on it. By blending his soulful style with suggestive lyrics, songs like “Blow Your Mind” and the title track unveil a more mature sound. Unfortunately, the 19-year-old heartthrob […]
For this videogame soundtrack, the erstwhile Automator hosts a veritable “Theme Time Radio Hour” on basketball, filling his bench with a smartly assembled roster that includes Ghostface, Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco and Jurassic 5’s Chali 2na. Automator’s tried-and-true beats rock the appropriate level of house throughout (especially the Mos-helmed “Here Comes the Champ,” with […]
