music
Tuned In: Butterfly Boucher misses her niche
"SCARY FRAGILE," Butterfly Boucher (Nettwerk)
A half-dozen years after the release of her debut "Flutterby," Butterfly Boucher is still looking for her niche.
Tuned In: Spencer Day connects with finesse, authenticity
"VAGABOND," Spencer Day (Concord Jazz)
Spencer Day is wholly derivative -- think Harry Connick Jr. meets John Mayer -- yet somehow he sounds fresh. Perhaps it's just an illusion, the way his teen-like appearance belies the fact he's in his early 30s. However it's more likely that his appeal is maximized by his discretion.
Tuned In: Houston sounds disconnected on new release
"I LOOK TO YOU," Whitney Houston (RCA)
At first glance, Whitney Houston appears confident and serene in the photo on the cover of her new album, "I Look to You." But after hearing the release, a second look at the picture reveals something off about her ambivalent, Mona Lisa smile, something uncertain in her eyes.
Something like reluctance.
'Like a Rolling Santa Claus'
"Snowin' in the Wind?"
"Sleigh Lady Sleigh?"
"The Times They Are A-Jinglin'?"
On Oct. 13, none other than Bob Dylan, the mercurial rock poet, will release a holiday album, "Christmas in the Heart."
Yeah, I know, bizarro. The first Christmas-album announcement of the year is always wild. But considering the artist, it's doubly strange this year.
Tuned In: Imogene Heap shows her eccentricity
"ELLIPSE," Imogen Heap (RCA)
Freak du jour Imogen Heap will likely hold on to her scenester cred with her new "Ellipse."
Tuned In: Jet nosedives into gimmickry
"SHAKA ROCK," Jet (Real Horrorshow Records)
Jet tumbles in its own turbulence on its new "Shaka Rock" and nearly comes crashing down.
Tuned in: Cobra Starship's 'Hot Mess' a big mess
"HOT MESS," Cobra Starship (Decaydence/Fueled By Ramen)
Cobra Starship takes much of what has been over the top about rock, dance, pop and urban music in the past decade or so and bashes it into one over-stimulated, but catchy, package.
Tuned In: Tantric ... Black Water Rising ... Songs for kids
"MIND CONTROL," Tantric (Silent Majority Group)
Tantric could be the goodwill ambassador of hard rock.
Tuned In: The Most Serene Republic goes erratic
"... AND THE EVER EXPANDING UNIVERSE," The Most Serene Republic (Arts & Crafts)
Everyone from the Dalai Lama to RuPaul has taken a turn at the adage about loving yourself so you can love others. But there's a footnote: If you love yourself too much, others may find it hard to love you.
Tuned In: Daughtry's new album is banal
"LEAVE THIS TOWN," Daughtry (RCA)
The bar is set low for expectations of "American Idol" contestants in the real world, but it's elevated a bit for those few who have managed to poke into the upper echelon of success. That's how to explain that Daughtry's new "Leave This Town" is both a sore disappointment and still better than many releases by "Idol" singers.
