Given his eclectic predilection, the idea of Sting doing a lute album is not really that far-fetched — and may seem inevitable from the guy who hit big with something like “Fields of Gold.” On “Songs From the Labyrinth,” the former Police frontman teams with Sarajevan lute master Edin Karamazov for faithful but certainly […]
This extraordinary CD is Wayne “the Train” Hancock’s tribute to Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys. Hancock wrote all 14 tracks and handles the rhythm guitar and vocal chores. Texas country music master Lloyd Maines produced this gem, abetted by a fine crew of players, including steel guitarist Eddie Rivers and lead guitarists Paul […]
With her alluring vocals and vulnerable lyrics, Mindy Smith has reigned as country-pop’s most celebrated newcomer since her striking cover of “Jolene” on the 2003 Dolly Parton tribute album “Just Because I’m a Woman.” On her enrapturing sophomore outing, the Nashville-based Smith grieves, struggles and yearns with bittersweet beauty and gravity of emotion. She […]
Moura’s debut album, “Guarda-me a Nida Na Mao,” introduced this superb young fadista to world music fans, and her latest project amounts to a 20-song affirmation of her noteworthy debut. Portuguese fado is a genre that seemingly turns out one gorgeous voice after another, and Moura is the most recent sensation. Her supple, dusky […]
One of the latest bands to generate big buzz via the blogosphere, Cold War Kids don’t quite justify the hype on their Downtown debut. Culling songs from several self-released EPs, the set is packed with rough-hewn, bluesy garage rock. The problem: Cold War Kids aren’t really that distinctive. Frontman Nathan Willett sounds a lot […]
Duo Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo Green, collectively known as Gnarls Barkley, cooked up a Grammy Award contender for song of the year with “Crazy,” a psychedelic soul celebration so universal that it has been covered by an unlikely combination of acts, from Nelly Furtado and Billy Idol to the Roots, Butch Walker and Bryan Adams. […]
Overseas, Nelly Furtado’s “Maneater” was the lead single from her full-length “Loose” — and it quickly leapt to No. 1 — as “Promiscuous” worked its way to the same fate stateside. For all of the latter song’s success, “Maneater” is actually a more innovative composition, with its tribal hip-hop instrumentation and a deadpan chorus that […]
The Fray’s top five breakthrough “Over My Head (Cable Car)” seems like coasting compared with the 100 mph momentum of follow-up “How to Save a Life,” the title track from th e Denver quartet’s debut disc. Featured in HBO imaging and “Grey’s Anatomy” (a record label’s best friend of late), the song is booming with […]
There must be something in the water in Conyers, Ga. The southern town is the birthplace of actresses Holly Hunter and Dakota Fanning, and now has sprung MTV/MTV2 lovechild Cartel into the big leagues. But this quintet has worked its collective heinie off to play ball, with promotional initiatives from Yahoo, AOL, Clear Channel Online […]
In a crowd of new country hopefuls, Ray Scott stands out with a rich, smoky baritone that commands immediate attention. He puts that glorious voice to good use on this sultry ballad about a man who isn’t interested in wasting time on sweet talk. In lines such as, “I’d rather tell you that I love […]
If the Game is trying to prove he can still dominate rap without Dr. Dre’s hard beats or 50 Cent’s sing-songy hooks, then he should not have released a single like “Let’s Ride,” which emulates both. This cut from his upcoming sophomore effort “The Doctor’s Advocate” was originally touted as a collaborative effort with Dr. […]
Twenty-three years and 12 albums have not dimmed “Weird Al” Yankovic’s acumen for spot-on pop culture parody. Latest album “Straight Outta Lynwood” (the Cali town where he was raised) deliciously delivers the deadpan satire that has long made him more a social commentator than novelty act. First single “White & Nerdy,” a reinterpretation of Chamillionaire’s […]
Sometimes more is better — and that’s certainly the case with “Sam’s Town,” a lollapalooza of cinematic soundscapes that dashes any fears, or dare we say expectations, of a sophomore slump. The Las Vegas quartet still proudly wears its British New Wave influences on its sleeve. But it presents them in a manner that’s […]
With a blank album package practically begging for audience participation, Beck himself sounds a bit distant on “The Information.” Be it the primal guitars and alone-in-the-desert frustration of “Nausea” or the breezy “No Complaints,” where Beck sings in a daze that he’s “aimless” and “out of patience,” this latest collaboration with Nigel Godrich offers […]
