Daniel Powter is suffering from Duncan Sheik syndrome: Debut with a killer song that radio simply doesn’t want to let go of, despite the label’s aim to move forward (there are perhaps worse fates). Granted, nothing on Powter’s current self-titled launch is as compelling as “Bad Day,” but at this point, the guy deserves another […]
So much for restoring a much-needed pop luster to the airwaves. Despite Jessica Simpson’s idealicious “A Public Affair” and heaps of cross-promotion from Epic, top 40 turned a relatively cold shoulder on a badly needed elixir to the format’s relentless loop of dark, non-melodic fare. Second single “I Belong to Me,” from Jess’ fourth album, […]
Remember the first time you heard Whitney, Mariah or Celine and recognized a star was born? Naomi Striemer will — must — propel beyond her foray at AC and become the commanding diva of the decade. This Canadian beauty possesses so many novel traits — exalting vocals, distinctive phrasing, masterful songwriting — that 10 notes […]
Beyonce’s “B’Day” aside, there’s another party in full force on dancefloors. This festive remix of “One Night Only” revives a staple that every dancing queen vividly remembers from the original Tony Award-winning “Dreamgirls” cast on Broadway some 25 years ago. Roaring up the club chart, this is the Beyonce — credited here as Deena Jones, […]
You know when you’re mired in the fog of a breakup and you subject yourself to one-night stands and dialing the ex’s voicemail to hear his voice? “Where Do I Fit In” is the song you hear that’s playing in your head. Lennon revamps this torch number from her 2001 Arista debut, “5:30 Saturday Morning,” […]
A squealing, panting and pleading Kelis leaves less to the imagination than usual on her second single “Blindfold Me,” from fourth album “Kelis Was Here.” With its thumping drums and tick-tock percussion, the half-rapping/half-singing affair is apt for the night scene. But like lead single “Bossy,” it is hard to see it getting much airplay […]
Recorded mostly in Nashville with walloping drums and lively, if gratuitous, soul-singer backup, Seger’s first studio set in 11 years contains his hardest rock since the ’70s. But it often feels sluggish despite itself, and his lyrics show him riding against the same old Michigan wind with a voice that’s grown haggard with time. […]
On its Nonesuch debut, guitar/drums duo the Black Keys deserts the garage-blues that has defined it for a more straightforward classic rock sound. Dan Auerbach’s precision-crafted riffs are as menacing as ever, but his once-primal howl has been softened with reverb, and many of the songs take a less direct route for the soul, […]
What happens when two jazz titans from different generations collaborate for the first time? In this case, over the course of guitarist Pat Metheny and pianist Brad Mehldau’s eight duets (plus two tracks with drummer Jeff Ballard and bassist Larry Grenadier), each player retains his distinct artistic voice while responding in a heartfelt way […]
Following in the contemporary footsteps of scratchy soul singers like Anthony Hamilton, newbie Governor’s “Son of Pain” proves solid soul’s still around. It’s ironically charming how he rarely rides the beat, gruffly singing staccato over almost every track and ending verses on high notes. Tracks like “Blood Sweat and Tears” have him wailing about […]
No self-respecting R.E.M. fan needs disc one of this collection, which rounds up “the best” of the band’s first five years. The real treats are on the second disc, which boasts such long-bootlegged but never officially released gems as the oblong “Theme From Two Steps Onward” and the original “Bad Day,” first demo’d in […]
On “Crazy Itch Radio,” British house pioneer Basement Jaxx returns to the pop mash-up stylings of its first two albums. Modeled after a radio station, complete with interludes and fake ads, the set genre-hops from infectious, radio-friendly dance tunes (”Hush Boy”) to sensual soul (”Lights Go Down”) and grimy raps (”Run 4 Cover”). The […]
On “FutureSex/LoveSounds,” Justin Timberlake claims to be bringing “sexy” back to pop music, and indeed he is. You can almost feel beads of sweat rolling off the title track and “SexyBack” featuring Timbaland, which is No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a second week. With Timbaland at the production helm and guest […]
John Mayer’s new album makes good on the promise of worrying less about “Wonderland” and more about his blues chops, which even detractors admit are pretty solid. But the Jekyll-and-Hyde-like co-existence of his blues and pop influences is tough to pull off. Though Mayer uses “Waiting on the World to Change” and “Stop This […]
