By CHUCK CAMPBELL, Scripps Howard News Service
Check out new releases by Keane, LaBelle, Ill Ease
"PERFECT SYMMETRY," Keane (Interscope)Keane gets so much hype for being a "guitarless" band - which isn't even true anymore, though the group does downplay its guitars - that the other aspects of the U.K. "piano-rock" trio are sometimes overlooked.
New releases: McLachlan, Talbot, Harmonious Wail
"CLOSER: THE BEST OF SARAH MCLACHLAN," Sarah McLachlan (Arista)Sarah McLachlan attempts to save her seat at the A-list table with "Closer: the Best of Sarah McLachlan," but her diminished output over the past decade is threatening her position as a top-shelf singer-songwriter.
Pussycast Dolls ... Enigma ...Matt Duke
"DOLL DOMINATION," The Pussycat Dolls (Interscope)The Pussycat Dolls threw a good party with 2005's "PCD," but even at just 12 tracks, the release was too long.
Jessica Simpson delivers artless punch
"DO YOU KNOW," Jessica Simpson (Epic/Columbia)Country music is just as fertile ground for attractive blond singers as pop, and after years of proving herself too unhip and too unsavvy for pop music, it makes sense for Jessica Simpson to swap out one stereotype-loving genre for another and go country.
Howard's overreaching effort isn't without merit
"SHINE THROUGH IT," Terrence Howard (Columbia)After first hearing actor Terrence Howard's new music release, "Shine Through It," many listeners will start thinking about the great films he's appeared in -- like "Crash" and "Hustle & Flow."
Miriello justifies music-industry advantages
"I CAME AROUND," Amie Miriello (BellaSonic)Amie Miriello burns with more fire than the typical young pop/rock singer on the verge of a breakout. Traditionally that would position her to either flame out prematurely or ignite a following.

