Lush and lovely, Knopfler’s fifth solo record doesn’t deviate from the formula set forth on his earlier efforts, proving that he’s taken the maxim “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” to heart. Knopfler continues to craft lyrics that provide snapshots of simple, small moments: a dance lesson in a school gym on “Secondary […]
If it were 1987, “Bitchin’ ” would be a major label’s wet dream. It’d be supported with big-budget videos played endlessly on “Headbanger’s Ball,” and with it, the Donnas would score a key tour with Poison en route to their own headlining jaunt. It being 2007, the girls’ awesomely ridiculous Sunset Strip-era gang […]
As one of R&B’s most successful producers, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds has always been more interested in soft sounds than in hot beats, and on “Playlist,” the mostly-covers follow-up to 2005’s underrated “Grown & Sexy,” he draws a line from his work back to the ’70s-era lite-rock hits that first inspired him to croon earnestly about […]
If KT Tunstall was at all intimidated by the prospect of following up her platinum 2006 debut, “Eye to the Telescope,” it’s certainly not audible on the 11 tracks of “Drastic Fantastic.” Tunstall crushes the sophomore jinx under the stilleto heels of the white boots she wears on the album cover, delivering a confident […]
Perhaps tired of existing in the shadow of the Shins at Sub Pop, Rogue Wave joins Jack Johnson’s Brushfire label for its third and most ambitious release. “Asleep” is notable for its beefed-up instrumentation and an overall darker tone than its predecessors. The chugging opener “Harmonium” denotes this shift in direction, propelled by […]
James Blunt can do a lot in less than four minutes. Worldwide 2005 No. 1 “You’re Beautiful” (3:33), a love song so plaintive that it worked for anyone in any stage of infatuation, made the shaggy crooner a superstar. On this sophomore effort, Blunt doesn’t repeat the feat in a single song, but does […]
In 1990, recent college graduate Christopher McCandless cut off all contact with his family, donated all his money to charity and embarked on an epic cross-country journey that ended with his death two years later in the Alaskan wilderness. His story was first told in a 1996 Jon Krakauer book and is about to […]
This wonderfully diverse collection finds Reba McEntire teaming with everyone from Faith Hill to Don Henley to Justin Timberlake and Rascal Flatts. Highlights include the stone country, longing-for-home “Does the Wind Still Blow in Oklahoma,” which McEntire co-wrote with fellow Okie and duet partner Ronnie Dunn. The moving “Every Other Weekend,” with Kenny Chesney, […]
Trumpeter Christian Scott’s impressive sophomore outing stands mighty as another compelling artistic response to Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. The Crescent City native, whose family home was obliterated by the floodwaters, colors his melancholic material with murky hues, often opting to blow the dark-toned cornet to emphasize the anguish and sorrow. Unlike his “Unwind […]
It has been nearly 40 years since Emmylou Harris released her first solo album, nearly three dozen since she contributed to Gram Parsons’ groundbreaking “Grievous Angel” and three decades since she scored her first Grammy Award. For a 60-year-old artist, Harris has a lot to cover in just four CDs (and one DVD). This […]
It’s natural for Ann Wilson to take a stab at “Immigrant Song,” considering her long-professed love for Led Zeppelin. And if anyone’s got the pipes to blow Robert Plant’s caterwaul through the roof, it’s Heart’s formidable frontwoman. So imagine the letdown when, instead of setting off a powerhouse wail, a la “Alone,” Wilson settles for […]
With heavy hitters Kanye West and 50 Cent releasing albums September 11, Nelly also fearlessly enters the fray via his own “Brass Knuckles.” With 40 million records sold and a collection of hits brighter than the grill he dons, “Wadsyaname” is another sure-fire hit. With pimp juice flowing, lyrically he hopes to maximize his final […]
So many American Idols who won favor with voters because of sheer vocal potency ultimately betray that trust by entering the studio and recording music aiming to fluff up the hip factor–and in the process, hiding their gifts behind junk production and throwaway tracks. How refreshing that season six winner Jordin Sparks kick-starts her career […]
Punk-poppers the Dollyrots are gaining momentum via modern millennium tools: branding, baby. When launched in 2002, the song “Feed Me, Pet Me” found its way into an ad for Hewlett Packard. Now signed to Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records, the title track from second album “Because I’m Awesome” leads Kohl’s back-to-school campaign. Lead singer Kelly Ogden, […]
