REVIEWED BY CHUCK ARNOLD
CRITIC'S CHOICE
COUNTRY-ROCK
Musicians have long used songwriting as a form of therapy, but rarely as eloquently as Lucinda Williams. On the wistful "Words," one of many highlights of her eighth studio disc, she sings about the cathartic powers of "the paper and the pen" as she writes off a relationship: "My words enjoy the feel of the paper/Better than mingling with your consonants/Once they get going, they never waver/And they slip in between your ifs, ands and buts." Such pure poetry helps make West–on which Williams works through both a failed love affair and the death of her mother–the first great CD of 2007. But the genius of Williams lies in her ability to be both poetic and plainspoken. Just as she cautions against spending too much money on a "Fancy Funeral," she doesn't dress up her rootsy tunes in flowery language. Which helps her get right to the bluesy heart of a song like "Unsuffer Me."
DOWNLOAD THIS: "Unsuffer Me"
Some Loud Thunder
REVIEWED BY CHRIS STRAUSS
INDIE ROCK
After selling an impressive 200,000 copies of their self-released, self-titled 2005 debut, the blog favorites bypass the major-label machine once again on this follow-up. While such freedom leads to occasional missteps–like the title track's intentionally demo-like sound quality–lead singer-songwriter Alec Ounsworth's unfettered creativity proves best left alone on gems like "Mama, Won't You Keep Them Castles in the Air Burning?" and the devilishly disco "Satan Said Dance."
DOWNLOAD THIS: "Satan Said Dance"
A Weekend in the City
ALT-ROCK
"East London is a vampire, it sucks the joy right out of me," sings Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke on "Song for Clay (Disappear Here)," the opening track of the British quartet's second album. And things are decidedly more downbeat–and down-tempo–this time around. Indeed, if 2005's Silent Alarm was more for Saturday night, then the new disc–which looks at weekend life in a metropolis–is more for Sunday morning. In fact, "Sunday," one of many moody, Cure-esque tunes with Okereke making like Robert Smith, is the ultimate hangover song.
DOWNLOAD THIS: "Kreuzberg"
Waitin' in the Country
REVIEWED BY RALPH NOVAK
COUNTRY
Carroll has been getting attention for his hit "Alyssa Lies," which tackles child abuse but doesn't approach the poignancy of, say, Suzanne Vega's "Luka." There are better songs on his debut, such as the rollicking "Honky Tonk Friends" and the touching "No Good in Goodbye," which Carroll wrote and sings with Jewel. Still, he fails to really establish a unique identity, and his baritone, while pleasant enough, won't make anyone forget Toby Keith, let alone Merle Haggard.
DOWNLOAD THIS: "Honky Tonk Friends"
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>Like Williams, Griffin is a singer-songwriter who mines the fertile territory between country, folk and blues. On her excellent new CD Children Running Through (left), Griffin also gets into the gospel spirit with her richly soulful pipes on cuts like "Heavenly Day." Best, though, is "Trapeze," her topflight duet with Emmylou Harris.
>Paolo Nutini, These Streets This Scottish-born singer-songwriter possesses an old soul and gritty voice that belie his young age (20) and pretty-boy looks. On the tender ballad "Last Request" he even channels a bit of Ray Charles.
The Good, the Bad & the Queen, The Good, the Bad & the Queen Gorillaz' Damon Albarn and his new cast of characters produce a royal achievement with this depiction of a near-apocalyptic England.
Lily Allen, Alright, Still There is plenty of cheeky attitude on the wickedly fun debut from this British pop star. Her ska-tinged single "Smile" is deliciously catty–and catchy.
Dreamgirls: Music from the Motion Picture This spirited soundtrack belongs to Jennifer Hudson, whose powerhouse performance of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" is a real revelation.
>BRIGHT EYES, the brainchild of Conor Oberst, returns with "Four Winds," a thoughtful folk-rock gem from the album Cassadaga, due April 10. At saddle-creek.com.
JOSS STONE makes like '60s-era Aretha on the soul-stirring "Tell Me 'Bout It," from her third CD, Introducing Joss Stone, out March 20. At myspace.com/jossstone.
JENNIFER LOPEZ gets the fiesta started with "Qué Hiciste," from her Spanish-language album Como Ama Una Mujer, out March 27. At iTunes.com.
STEPHEN MARLEY teams with Mos Def on "Hey Baby," a masterful fusion of reggae and hip-hop from Marley's second CD, Mind Control, due March 20. At music.aol.com.
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!
