The question “Who Are You?” has never been more apt when it comes to the Who, or what’s left of it. Shorn of the fury provided by the late Keith Moon and John Entwistle, what is now effectively the Townshend-Daltrey Band wisely diverges from many of the Who’s sonic trademarks on its first album […]
For most of “Saturday Night Wrist,” Deftones contentedly let their instruments wander, inventing a meandering soundscape that broods in near darkness. The instrumental “Interlude” personifies the record: soothing yet disquieting, and it’s curiously anchored with animated drumming by Abe Cunningham. Lead single “Hole in the Earth” comes off like a more muscular Coldplay, whereas […]
Like hip-pop countrywomen M.I.A. and Lily Allen, British tongue-twister Lady Sovereign has been flitting around the Internet for what seems like forever; this Def Jam debut is probably one of the longest-leaked albums of 2006. But even if you spend your days waist-deep in music blogs, experiencing her fully realized and largely insane electro-hip-pop […]
Long one of gospel’s great innovators, Fred Hammond continues to refine a sound he had a significant hand in creating. Integral to introducing contemporary R&B and pop to the gospel tradition — with the trail-blazing Commissioned and Radical for Christ — he and his latest ensemble meld instantly memorable, eminently singable Sunday-morning jams and […]
Thelonious Monk’s music stands tall as the most melodically majestic, harmonically sophisticated and rhythmically whimsical of the jazz canon. While next February marks the 25th anniversary of his death, his tunes live on in swinging vibrancy on “Memories of T.” The 11-song outing of straight-down-the-pike septet jazz is piloted by Monk drummer Ben Riley, […]
A balladeer at heart, Frankie J is at his best when he is tender. Luckily, his sophomore album, “Priceless,” finds him in that position more often than not. On “Daddy’s Little Girl,” the melodic crooner paints a touching portrait of a father leaving, singing from the child’s perspective. (”Daddy, daddy, don’t leave/ Mommy’s saying […]
Of late, Willie Nelson has been ripe for a career renaissance on par with Rick Rubin’s early-’90s resurrection of Johnny Cash. Ryan Adams no doubt spotted that potential and with “Songbird,” a record that is pretty much his vision from start to finish, Nelson is very likely on the cusp of enjoying bigger acclaim […]
This legendary quartet first rose to prominence in the gospel field, then crossed over to country, where it ruled the airwaves in the ’70s and ’80s. In recent years, it has successfully revisited its gospel roots, but this time out the Oak Ridge Boys deliver a mainstream country record as potent and chartworthy as anything […]
You can pretty much count on Meat Loaf to taste the same. As expected, “Bat Out of Hell III” plays out like a cinematic movie score, with 14 melodramatic, heavily orchestrated tracks that run forever. “Seize the Night” is the most daring, a temerarious crash test of violins, timpani and electric guitar that sounds […]
Montgomery Gentry decisively evince their Southern rock roots while simultaneously stretching lyrically in worldview and song craft on “Some People Change.” The title song is a perfect reflection of the blend, powerfully projecting the mix of a country vocal sound, serious rock energy and enlightened 21st-century social attitudes. “Clouds” is a deeply felt, piano-/vocal-driven […]
After releasing a single solo album in Spain, Puerto Rican/ Dominican singer/ songwriter Raymond Castellon tries his luck this side of the Atlantic with a heartfelt album marrying the simplicity of traditional, tropical music (campo) with urban and pop elements. Rich in guitars and percussion, “Campo Urbano” sometimes evokes Carlos Vives (particularly on the accordion-laden […]
When these four stunning voices join forces on these classic hymns, everything old sounds new again. Avalon members Jody McBrayer, Janna Long, husband Greg Long and Melissa Greene are well-known as some of the most accomplished vocalists in the Christian industry, and on their latest collection, they breathe new life into such church favorites […]
In the last seven years, Isis has spawned its own subgenre. Equal parts post-metal and indie rock, its hypnotic music isn’t mainstream by any means, but “In the Absence of Truth,” its fourth full-length, is its most accessible album yet. Isis’ calling card of melodic passages building up to crescendos and crashing into heaviness […]
A record label’s greatest ally, “Grey’s Anatomy,” does it yet again. Thanks to exposure on the ABC series, along with promo spots for new TV show “6 Degrees,” Rob Thomas’ solo album “Something to Be,” previously closed for business, spawns another hit. The soulful jam “Streetcorner Symphony” isn’t as obvious a smash as, say, “This […]
