By CHUCK CAMPBELL, Scripps Howard News Service
Charlotte Sometimes' creativity all comes together
"WAVES & THE BOTH OF US," Charlotte Sometimes (Geffen)Charlotte Sometimes is one of those smart, charismatic, young singers whose "Waves & The Both of Us" brings to mind obvious predecessors with names like Alanis and Fiona, but she bears more direct association to two women who had breakout years in 2007: Lily Allen and Nicole Atkins.
Langhorne Slim's new album sounds raw, distorted
"LANGHORNE SLIM," Langhorne Slim (Kemado)On "Spinning Compass," the opening track of Langhorne Slim's new self-titled release, he offers the lines, "Don't wanna be a drag ... Don't wanna be sad" and "it's too bad you find fault with me."He finds fault with himself, too, but he embraces his flaws and runs with them.
Madonna flirtatious and uncomplicated in new album
"HARD CANDY," Madonna (Warner Bros.)This one's for you, America.No Abba samples, no edgy French producers, no politics.
Moby's memory serves him all too well
"LAST NIGHT," Moby (Mute)On the liner notes for his new "Last Night," Moby reminisces about his teen-age years clubbing in New York City. And his sound follows his words on the release that proves to be a nostalgia trip both for '80s electronica and Moby's own music from a decade later.
Abilities don't quite add up for Jackie Greene
"GIVING UP THE GHOST," Jackie Greene (429 Records)Jackie Greene might have sounded like the next Tom Waits or Bob Dylan on his previous releases, but on his new "Giving Up the Ghost," he sounds like the next ... whatever.
A look at 'Attack and Release,' and other new releases
"ATTACK & RELEASE," The Black Keys (Nonesuch)Fans of the Black Keys don't have to worry that their beloved Akron, Ohio, band might have cleaned up too much by recording in an actual studio with an actual producer instead of recording in a basement and producing themselves like they typically have since putting out 2002's "The Big Come Up."
Time hasn't torpedoed irrepressible vocalists
"FUNPLEX," The B-52's (Astralwerks)The B-52's new "Funplex" sounds like someone was flipping through the party band's discography and these songs fell out from various points in the act's chronology.
With any luck, the Hush Sound won't get the blues
"GOODBYE BLUES," The Hush Sound (Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen)The Hush Sound's music could use seasoning, but the band's spirit would do well not to "grow up."
