R&B
The most telling moment on this follow-up to 2004's smash Confessions comes when Usher's 6-month-old son makes a cameo. Just a kid himself when he made his recording debut in 1993, Usher, who turns 30 in October, became a father and a husband last year, and Here I Stand positions him as a family man. Such declarations of devotion as the player-repenting "Before I Met You" and the heartfelt, Donny Hathawayesque title track sound as if they were written in between his-and-hers massages on his honeymoon. Even the steamy stuff, like the creamy-smooth "Love You Gently," is more about getting it on with that one special lady. Musically Usher takes a more mature stance as well, leaning heavily—a little too heavily—on ballads. But some killer slow jams should help him keep millions of other ladies happy too.
DOWNLOAD THIS: "This Ain't Sex," a funky, Prince-meets-Michael jam
Bring Ya to the Brink |
DANCE-POP
As she prepares to kick off the second True Colors Tour, benefiting gay rights, on May 31, Cyndi Lauper gets in step with the pulsating, anthemic dance music of gay clubs on her new disc. On electronica-infused rave-ups like "Give It Up," this girl sounds like she's having more fun than she's had in years. In fact, some tracks, such as the appropriately titled "Into the Nightlife," take you twirling back to Lauper's synth-pop heyday. By the time she slows down for a melancholy moment on "Rain on Me," you'll be pouring sweat.
DOWNLOAD THIS: "Raging Storm," an atmospheric rush
Lay It Down |
R&B
On "You've Got the Love I Need," the vintage-'70s highlight of Al Green's new album, the soul great teams up with Anthony Hamilton, probably the contemporary R&B singer who owes Green the biggest debt. It's not the only testament to Green's impact: John Legend and Corinne Bailey Rae also appear, while the Roots' Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson produces. Thankfully, they all bow to the master's classic sound.
3 Doors Down |
ROCK
"I guess I just got lost being someone else," sings 3 Doors Down frontman Brad Arnold on the power ballad "Let Me Be Myself." Clearly, he and his band have had trouble establishing a strong identity. On their fourth studio album, these guys can't decide if they're hard rockers, alt-rockers or pop-rockers. They do it all respectably but unremarkably.
DOWNLOAD THIS: "It's Not My Time," a catchy, crunchy single
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• The chick-friendly companion to the film (due May 30) features new songs by Fergie and Sex costar Jennifer Hudson, but India.Arie's cover of "The Heart of the Matter" is the soul of this CD.
ELVIS COSTELLO AND THE IMPOSTERS Momofuku Costello's latest is named after Momofuku Ando, inventor of instant noodles, and this tasty CD came together quickly too, with bits of rock, blues, lounge pop and old-school soul.
JULIANNE HOUGH Julianne Hough The Dancing with the Stars hoofer takes a spin as a country singer on her debut album. While she doesn't trip up embarrassingly, there's nothing here to suggest that she should give up her day job.
CAROLINA LIAR Coming to Terms You may have already heard this pop-rock band on The Hills, which has featured such tunes as "Show Me What I'm Looking For" and the title cut. More fodder for your summer soundtrack awaits on their debut.
CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES Waves & the Both of Us This 20-year-old singer-songwriter gets her name from a character in a children's book, and she displays more quirks throughout her full-length debut. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
• My three young children need to move, move, move; these CDs do the trick!
BARE-NAKED LADIES SNACKTIME! BNL's sweet silliness sells songs like "Raisins" ("When I make mistakes/ I use a lot of salt/ 'Cause salt makes m'steaks taste great").
THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS HERE COME THE 123s After Here Come the ABCs, here are more brainteasers, like the concepts of infinity and the omniverse.
AFRICAN DREAMLAND A compilation of soothing songs by African musicians, this album features rhythms that will please young Lion King fans. It's perfect for nap time, bedtime or anytime your kids—and their mommy—need a breather.
DAN ZANES ¡NUEVA YORK! The crown prince of contemporary kids' music draws from South America and elsewhere for this Spanish-language album, which showcases his groovy style.
BABY LOVES HIP HOP The latest in the "Baby Loves ..." series, this one introduces hip-hop via prehistoric raps from the Dino-5 (above left), including Tracy Triceratops (Lady Bug Mecca) and DJ Stegosaurus (Prince Paul).
RALPH'S WORD THE RHYMING CIRCUS Rocker Ralph Covert stuffs this CD with ear-tickling wordplay. Best is the hilarious Johnny Cash spoof "Folsom Daycare Blues" ("I pushed a toddler over/ Just to watch him fall/ I'm here in Folsom Daycare/ And it's no fun at all").
LISA LOEB CAMP LISA Grab the s'mores! Loeb lends her gentle wit to this camp-themed album, which features familiar sing-alongs like "Peanut Butter & Jelly" and original tunes like "Best Friend," with its reassuring lyrics about making new pals.
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