REVIEWED BY CHUCK ARNOLD
GOTH METAL
After the 2003 release of Evanescence's multiplatinum major-label debut, Fallen—which spawned the hits "My Immortal" and "Bring Me to Life"—guitarist-cofounder Ben Moody abruptly quit the Grammy-winning group during the middle of a tour. With this kind of Behind the Music turmoil, it's no wonder there is so much drama sweeping through The Open Door. As lead singer-pianist Amy Lee carries on with Moody replacement Terry Balsamo (formerly of Cold), Evanescence's unique sound—imagine Sarah McLachlan fronting a goth-metal band—is heightened with swelling strings, a cathedral-ready choir and bombastic arrangements that owe as much to Beethoven as Black Sabbath. While Lee gives cuts like "Lithium" a refreshing dose of estrogen, all the headbanging histrionics wear thin.
DOWNLOAD THIS: "Call Me When You're Sober"
The Information
ALT-ROCK
Beck's latest release was actually begun before last year's Guero, one of the top discs of 2005. But just when it seemed that the dude had his mojo back, he lets it slip on The Information, a strangely uneven CD that reveals the best—and worst—of the artist. Picking up right where Guero left off, the album starts strongly as the ever-eclectic Beck veers from the breezy California sound of "Think I'm in Love" to the funky hip-hop strut of "Cellphone's Dead." But things fall off considerably in the second half, where Beck indulges in too much aimless meandering, resulting in head-scratching moments like the space oddity "Exoskeleton."
DOWNLOAD THIS: "Think I'm in Love"
A Thousand Different Ways
POP
The third CD from the Claymeister plays like an American Idol theme night on sappy love songs. While you might think Aiken would be in his element covering mushy ballads like Harry Nilsson's "Without You" and Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me," these white-bread versions pale next to the originals. Worst offense? He sucks all of the soul out of "Every Time You Go Away," Paul Young's 1985 hit written by Daryl Hall. Four new tunes only go to show why Aiken resorted to other people's songs.
DOWNLOAD THIS: "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word"
Nashville
REVIEWED BY RALPH NOVAK
COUNTRY
R&B mainstay Burke shows that, at 66, he's not too old to surprise, going country on these 14 artfully rendered tunes. The songs, confirming the long-standing connection between country, blues, gospel and soul, reach from Don Williams's elemental "Atta Way to Go" to Dolly Parton's poignant "Tomorrow Is Forever," to which Parton herself adds a memorable vocal. Emmylou Harris appears, too, on "We're Gonna Hold On," as does Patty Loveless on "You're the Kind of Trouble." Veteran Nashville producer Buddy Miller surrounds Burke with musicians who complement his evocative, deliberate style without trying to country him up.
DOWNLOAD THIS: "That's How I Got to Memphis"
The Makings of Me
R&B
It's hard to believe that it has been 11 years since Monica released her debut album, Miss Thing, before she was even old enough to drive. This, her fourth disc, demonstrates why the singer has been able to outlast many an R&B ingenue. Showing Monica's healthy respect for her soul heritage, the CD takes its title from the great Curtis Mayfield song "The Makings of You." Fittingly, Mayfield's tune is sampled on "A Dozen Roses (You Remind Me)," an old-meets-new-school slow jam (which is one of three tracks produced by Missy Elliott). Even better are the bittersweet ballad "Why Her?" and "Sideline Ho," on which Monica puts the other woman precisely in her place.
DOWNLOAD THIS: "Why Her?"
Return to Cookie Mountain
REVIEWED BY CHRIS STRAUSS
CRITIC'S CHOICE
ALT-ROCK
There really should be a warning label on the dynamic second CD from this adventurous Brooklyn quintet: It's so captivating that it prevents the listener from focusing on anything else. TVOTR refuses to be limited by genre; cuts like the frenetic "Playhouses" and tempo-shifting "Wolf Like Me" are an experimental collision of art rock and soul. With guitar fuzz, piano effects, electronic samples and assorted other noises hitting you from all angles, the best part of Return to Cookie Mountain is coming back to discover elements you missed before.
DOWNLOAD THIS: "Wolf Like Me"
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>So what has Moody (left) been up to since leaving Evanescence in 2003? In addition to working on his solo debut, due in 2007, he has built a résumé producing and/or writing for these pop-rock artists.
BO BICE "My World"
LINDSAY LOHAN "Edge of Seventeen" and "Fastlane"
KELLY CLARKSON "Because of You" and "Addicted"
AVRIL LAVIGNE "Nobody's Home"
>The Killers, Sam's Town On their ambitious second album, the Killers venture into the arena-rock realm of Bruce Springsteen. The awesome, anthemic "When You Were Young" is a direct homage to "Born to Run."
Aaron Neville, Bring It On Home ... The Soul Classics While imbuing these soul classics with his wondrously vibrant voice, Neville also gives a nod to the artists who made them hits, from Otis Redding to Ben E. King.
Alan Jackson, Like Red on a Rose Jackson turned to bluegrass star Alison Krauss to produce his latest disc, and the result is an entertaining change of pace that synthesizes the talents of both.
Scissor Sisters, Tah-dah Scissor Sisters put their boogie shoes back on for their second CD, which, with groovy tunes like "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'," is as delightful as its title.
>MY VACATION PLAYLIST
The country star, 38, is kicking back after touring all summer and releasing a concert CD, Live: Live Those Songs Again.
WILLIE NELSON, "SITTING HERE IN LIMBO" Very chilled-out. Willie knows how to lean back into a reggae groove.
VAN HALEN, "BEST OF BOTH WORLDS" When you wanna gear up to rock, this is the place to start.
JACK JOHNSON, "BETTER TOGETHER" We've about worn this one out on the boat. Seriously.
BOB MARLEY, "NO WOMAN, NO CRY" For getting into the island head, nothing's better.
GEORGE STRAIT, "OCEAN FRONT PROPERTY" The reason George Strait is George Strait.
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
