Tim McGraw’s second greatest-hits collection in six years is also his ninth consecutive debut at #1 on the Billboard country charts. That means he must be doing something right. But what, precisely, aside from keeping up his hunk factor, and maturing his voice? Well–choosing dynamic songs that resonate at the very core of most […]
Lest you think Jamie Foxx is simply capitalizing on his Oscar-winning turn in Ray, don’t forget that Unpredictable is actually a follow-up (albeit 11 years later) to his 1994 debut, Peep This. In fact, Unpredictable even sounds like a slow jams album from the ’90s; despite featuring guests like Snoop, Kanye West, and The […]
This Las Vegas band strives to create a unique sound by blending melody-driven rock with dance. This is a rock record you can dance to; that’s fun and sincere at the same time. Produced by Matt Squire (Northstar, The Explosion, The Receiving End Of Sirens). Panic! At The Disco is the first band signed […]
Early hints seemed to suggest that Reality Check could be a turning point for Juvenile. Fueled by the destruction of his native New Orleans, Juve seemed ready to let the world feel his wrath. Instead, Reality Check hardly breaks much new ground; even “Get Ya Hustle On,” with its stark video filmed in the […]
As with their last hit, Elephunk, Black Eyed Peas’ new disc Monkey Business is a joyful cross-genre journey with musical props to hip-hop, rock, folk, funk, and pop. The reason the Black Eyed Peas have audience appeal that crosses over many styles is because the band members are such obvious fans of diverse music. […]
Nobody knows heartache like Mary J. knows heartache. But as she releases her seventh disc, perhaps more important is that nobody understands better how unquenchable our thirst to hear what it sounds like can be. The Breakthrough, contrary to run-up rumors, is no retrospective or greatest-hits package. Rather than reheat, Blige and producers Dr. […]
Kelly Clarkson could have played her American Idol-propelled career much differently, languishing in the role of dippy ingénue or shunting her musical development by leaning too heavily on overnight stardom. Instead she dug in her heels and allowed good sense (or a good manager) to steer, and somewhere Simon Fuller and the rest of […]
This is not a review about Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon’s hair. However–as any self-respecting fan knows–in country music, after proving you can pluck a guitar and carry a tune, the power of the right hairstyle is not to be underestimated. Johnny Cash, in fact, was famously vain about his locks–perhaps one of […]
Would American Idol winner Carrie Underwood have landed a major-label recording contract without winning the hugely popular television contest? Probably. The big-voiced Oklahoman has the pipes, the look, the pedigree, and, most important, the emotional resonance to sustain a professional career. As an investment in her future, her label eschewed the easy path in […]
Throughout their nine-year career, Nickelback have stayed true to their roots, releasing five CDs of straight-up, unapologetic rock & roll. So how have things changed for the Canadian boys since the massive success of Silver Side Up and The Long Road? Well, brothers Chad and Mike Kroeger still live in the Great White North, […]
This introduction to the Man in Black’s catalog is about as fine a one as can be found on one disc, primarily because the 21 classic tracks span J.R. Cash’s entire career, from his first rockabilly single, “Hey, Porter”/”Cry! Cry! Cry!” (Sun Records, 1955), to his last significant alt-country tracks (American Recordings, 2003). Though […]
Johnny Cash had been breaking new ground for a decade when At Folsom Prison suddenly made the world at large take notice. The interaction of a volatile prison population starved for entertainment and a desperately on-form Johnny Cash was electrifying. His somber machismo finally found a home. The songs, which included every prison […]
Clive Davis’s ear earns him more accolades than most of his talents’ vocal chords. Now it’s time to give it up for his enterprising instincts. The Greatest Songs of the Fifties arrives on the heels of another of the famous producer’s backward-looking projects, the ubiquitous, uber-successful Great American Songbook series by Rod Stewart. The […]
With Show Your Bones, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs follow up to the heralded Fever to Tell Karen O economizes on the screaming that so marked the trio’s debut EP. And oh how she exceeds her oft-noted influences (PJ Harvey and Chrissie Hynde, for two): Whether she’s hanging back with a staggered beat on “Phenomena,” […]
