Apparently there was no need to worry that marriage (to Sum 41’s Deryck Whibley) would mellow Avril Lavigne. The Canadian rocker’s third album is a mostly sassy ‘n’ snotty affair on which she sounds even younger than when her debut album, 2002’s “Let Go,” went multiplatinum. After a darker and more contemplative follow-up, Lavigne […]
Arguably the brightest star of the new jazz generation of the ’90s, Joshua Redman has consistently recorded top-drawer albums that have explored stratospheric altitudes of ensemble interplay and improvisation. But the saxophonist has outdone himself with his latest and most accomplished outing, “Back East.” Largely a sax trio date (remarkably, Redman’s first) with three […]
Spanish vocalist Martirio tracked this collection of boleros in May 2006 at Avatar Studios in New York, so the title (”Spring in New York”) is more literal than one might imagine. Flanked by heavy hitters like Dafnis Prieto and Paquito D’Rivera, Martirio delivers an elegant performance. She can sing everything from flamenco to pop, […]
Start with track seven: A sublime rendering of Cole Porter’s “Night and Day.” It’s cool yet summery, detached yet impassioned — with just a slight touch of bossa nova flair. It is, quite simply, Bebel Gilberto, who, in seven or so years, has mapped out her own niche, one where traditional Brazilian sounds seamlessy […]
We know the Nightwatchman better as Tom Morello, the guitar wizard of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave. But on “One Man Revolution” Morello shows us that he’s a) a facile acoustic guitar player, too, b) a better than serviceable singer and c) an intelligent and passionate social commentator and protest singer urging us […]
If “What I’ve Done” is any indication, Linkin Park’s new album “Minutes to Midnight” will be another hit-filled juggernaut in the vein of previous sets “Hybrid Theory” and “Meteora.” The genius of this track is that it packs a wallop even as it backs off from the heavily produced style of Linkin Park’s catalog — […]
Pop’s ruling queen Kelly Clarkson marks her anticipated return with rough-and-ready anthem “Never Again,” the first single from upcoming third opus “My December.” As with 2004-2005 staple “Since U Been Gone,” America’s sweetheart is mightily pissed off: “I hope the ring you gave to her turns her finger green/I hope when you’re in bed with […]
The Bravery’s first single from forthcoming sophomore album “The Sun and the Moon” finds the New York-based quintet ironing out dance-rock creases and embracing a simpler downtempo sound. Frontman Sam Endicott wistfully sings of life’s regrets and missed opportunities as his throaty vocals soar and crack between synth-infused guitar riffs. While demonstrating maturity, the song […]
Alanis Morissette’s reworking of the ubiquitous Black Eyed Peas hit is an Internet sensation thanks to a hysterical video she shot on the fly. Decked out in hottie attire, she shakes her junk with a barely concealed smile as she vamps with a pack of Blues Brothers-esque playas. The music for “My Humps” is completely […]
Rihanna’s move to the center with 2004 smash “S.O.S.” was a shrewd move in advancing her authority as a mainstream hitmaker. With R&B/new wave groove “Umbrella,” she is again poised to soak the pop and urban charts. With a chorus that recalls Ashlee Simpson’s “L.O.V.E.,” a synthy chord that snakes over high-hat drums and lyric […]
Having one signature hit is a blessing and a curse: “You made it! Now work without end to repeat.” Shawn Mullins, who catapulted “Lullaby (Rockaby)” to The Billboard Hot 100 top 10 in 1999, found modest success last year with “Beautiful Wreck,” spawning promise for upcoming album “9th World Pickin’ Parlor.” “Find Love” is a […]
Pam Tillis’ first indie CD (on her own Stellar Cat Records) is as impressive a collection as anything she released on a major — perhaps better. From start to finish, every track shines. With loves-gone-by as the pervasive theme, the album is realistic without being fatalistic — there’s always hope. “Train Without a Whistle” […]
Those who stumble upon “This Is Ryan Shaw” will assume they’ve heard it before — and that’s a good thing. Shaw’s debut so authentically captures the spirit, sound and euphoric joy of vintage soul music that songs like the testimonial “I Am Your Man” and the jumpy, Booker T. & the MG’s-worthy “Lookin for […]
It’s been 20 years since Cowboy Junkies made their single-mic, church-recorded landmark “The Trinity Sessions,” and the Canadian quartet’s 12th original set shows how much things have changed –and stayed the same. Songs so intimate that they sound like singer Margo Timmins could be whispering them in your ear remain the group’s hallmark, but […]
