Click Track: Album reviews


Posted at 11:41 AM ET, 01/31/2012

Album reviews: Lana Del Rey, Prinzhorn Dance School, Ana Tijoux, SOJA
By Click Track
This week’s most notable new releases.

By Click Track  |  11:41 AM ET, 01/31/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews, Quick spins | Tags:  Lana Del Rey, Prinzhorn Dance School, Ana Tijoux, SOJA

Posted at 01:49 PM ET, 01/27/2012

Album review: Leonard Cohen, “Old Ideas”
By Click Track
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer-songwriter returns with his best album in decades.

By Click Track  |  01:49 PM ET, 01/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Leonard Cohen

Posted at 03:14 PM ET, 01/20/2012

Album review: Skrillex, “Bangarang”
By Chris Richards
The latest recording from electronic music’s biggest new star.

By Chris Richards  |  03:14 PM ET, 01/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Skrillex

Posted at 10:41 AM ET, 01/10/2012

Album reviews: Yo Gotti, the Little Willies, KG Omulo
By Click Track

By Click Track  |  10:41 AM ET, 01/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Yo Gotti, Little Willies, KG Omulo

Posted at 11:25 AM ET, 01/03/2012

Lost Tracks: Death Grips; the Renderers; “El Barrio: The Ultimate Collection of Latin Boogaloo, Disco, Funk & Soul”
By Click Track
In today’s Washington Post, reviews of albums that we thought didn’t get enough love last year

By Click Track  |  11:25 AM ET, 01/03/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Death Grips, the Renderers, Fania Records

Posted at 11:46 AM ET, 12/15/2011

Christmastime is here... and so are the albums to keep your holiday spinning
By Erin Williams
Click Track spotlights four more albums to add to your holiday rotation

By Erin Williams  |  11:46 AM ET, 12/15/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Rotary Connection, James Brown, She & Him, Tony Bennett

Posted at 09:57 AM ET, 12/06/2011

Album reviews: The Roots, Amy Winehouse, T-Pain and the Black Keys
By Click Track
New pop albums reviewed.

By Click Track  |  09:57 AM ET, 12/06/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  The Roots, T-Pain, Amy Winehouse, The Black Keys

Posted at 11:18 AM ET, 11/22/2011

Album reviews: Yelawolf, “Radioactive” and Rihanna, “Talk That Talk”
By Chris Richards and Allison Stewart
The Alabama rapper’s debut is a predictable disappointment while Rihanna lightens up and finds success.

By Chris Richards and Allison Stewart  |  11:18 AM ET, 11/22/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Yelawolf, Rihanna

Posted at 10:22 AM ET, 11/16/2011

Album review: Drake, “Take Care”
By Sarah Godfrey

By Sarah Godfrey  |  10:22 AM ET, 11/16/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Drake

Posted at 11:47 AM ET, 11/11/2011

Album review: Kaskade, “Fire and Ice”
By Allison Stewart
A double album from one of electronic music’s biggest names.

By Allison Stewart  |  11:47 AM ET, 11/11/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Kaskade

Posted at 12:13 PM ET, 11/04/2011

Album review: Atlas Sound, “Parallax”
By Allison Stewart
Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox side project offers more mellow sounds.

By Allison Stewart  |  12:13 PM ET, 11/04/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Atlas Sound

Posted at 10:08 AM ET, 11/01/2011

Wale's "Ambition" is a plateau, not a peak
By Chris Richards
The Wale who shows up on “Ambition” isn’t the one who has shown so much promise over the years.

By Chris Richards  |  10:08 AM ET, 11/01/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Wale

Posted at 11:07 AM ET, 10/31/2011

Album review: Miranda Lambert, “Four the Record”
By Chris Richards
Country’s most magnetic star delivers another winning album.

By Chris Richards  |  11:07 AM ET, 10/31/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Miranda Lambert

Posted at 10:36 AM ET, 10/25/2011

Album review: Coldplay, “Mylo Xyloto”
By Allison Stewart
The formula stays the same on the band’s mediocre fifth album.

By Allison Stewart  |  10:36 AM ET, 10/25/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Coldplay

Posted at 01:54 PM ET, 10/21/2011

Album review: Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger”
By Allison Stewart
Clarkson stays in her comfort zone and delivers is pleasing if unspectacular album.

By Allison Stewart  |  01:54 PM ET, 10/21/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Kelly Clarkson

Posted at 10:23 AM ET, 10/18/2011

Album review: Real Estate, “Days”
By Chris Richards
The New Jersey band establishes itself as one of indie rock’s finest on its sophomore album.

By Chris Richards  |  10:23 AM ET, 10/18/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Real Estate

Posted at 01:37 PM ET, 10/14/2011

Album review: Patrick Stump, “Soul Punk”
By Allison Stewart
The Fall Out Boy frontman embraces his inner R&B star.

By Allison Stewart  |  01:37 PM ET, 10/14/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Patrick Stump

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 10/07/2011

Album review: Joe Jonas, “Fastlife”
By Allison Stewart
The Jonas Brother goes solo in a predictable fashion.

By Allison Stewart  |  11:00 AM ET, 10/07/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Joe Jonas

Posted at 12:27 PM ET, 09/30/2011

Album review: “The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams”
By Allison Stewart

By Allison Stewart  |  12:27 PM ET, 09/30/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews

Posted at 04:15 PM ET, 09/29/2011

What you should be listening to: David Heartbreak, Scott Holstein, Motion Sickness of Time Travel, Ricardo Villalobos, Wolves in the Throne Room
By Chris Richards
New-ish releases that you should check out.

By Chris Richards  |  04:15 PM ET, 09/29/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  David Heartbreak, Scott Holstein, Wolves in the Throne Room, Motion Sickness of Time Travel, Ricardo Villalobos, Max Loderbauer

Posted at 10:42 AM ET, 09/23/2011

Album review: Mekons, “Ancient and Modern”
By Allison Stewart
The long-running Chicago cowpunk institution return.

By Allison Stewart  |  10:42 AM ET, 09/23/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Mekons

Posted at 10:20 AM ET, 09/13/2011

Album review: Lady Antebellum, “Own the Night”
By Chris Richards
The country trio resuscitates a lost pop archetype — romantic power ballad duets — on its strong new album.

By Chris Richards  |  10:20 AM ET, 09/13/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Lady Antebellum

Posted at 12:35 PM ET, 09/09/2011

Album review: Mates of State, “Mountaintops”
By Allison Stewart
The duo’s latest album flaunts an exuberance that borders on irrational.

By Allison Stewart  |  12:35 PM ET, 09/09/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Mates of State

Posted at 11:17 AM ET, 09/06/2011

Album review: Wild Flag, “Wild Flag”
By Chris Richards

By Chris Richards  |  11:17 AM ET, 09/06/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Wild Flag

Posted at 12:15 PM ET, 09/02/2011

Album review: Grace Jones, “Hurricane”
By Allison Stewart

By Allison Stewart  |  12:15 PM ET, 09/02/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Grace Jones

Posted at 10:08 AM ET, 08/30/2011

Album review: Red Hot Chili Peppers, “I’m With You”
By Allison Stewart
CLICK TRACK | The band confronts middle age and mortality in its new disc.

By Allison Stewart  |  10:08 AM ET, 08/30/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Red Hot Chili Peppers

Posted at 12:25 PM ET, 08/29/2011

Album review: Lil Wayne, “Tha Carter IV”
By Chris Richards
The rapper takes his foot off the accelerator with a disappointing ninth album.

By Chris Richards  |  12:25 PM ET, 08/29/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews

Posted at 11:57 AM ET, 08/26/2011

Album review: Glen Campbell, “Ghost on the Canvas”
By Allison Stewart

By Allison Stewart  |  11:57 AM ET, 08/26/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Glen Campbell

Posted at 10:07 AM ET, 08/23/2011

Album reviews: Pistol Annies “Hell on Heels” and Sunny Sweeney “Concrete”
By Chris Richards

By Chris Richards  |  10:07 AM ET, 08/23/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Pistol Annies, Sunny Sweeney

Posted at 10:59 AM ET, 08/19/2011

Album review: Active Child, “You Are All I See”
By Allison Stewart

By Allison Stewart  |  10:59 AM ET, 08/19/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews, Album reviews | Tags:  Active Child

Posted at 11:07 AM ET, 08/12/2011

Album review: Scream, “Complete Control Sessions”
By Allison Stewart

By Allison Stewart  |  11:07 AM ET, 08/12/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Scream

Posted at 06:29 PM ET, 08/08/2011

Album review: Jay-Z and Kanye West, “Watch the Throne”
By Chris Richards
A summer blockbuster designed to make us bow before two rap demigods actually asks us to question our own desires.

By Chris Richards  |  06:29 PM ET, 08/08/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Kanye West, Jay-Z

Posted at 11:45 AM ET, 07/29/2011

Album review: Fountains of Wayne, “Sky Full of Holes”
By Allison Stewart

By Allison Stewart  |  11:45 AM ET, 07/29/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Fountains of Wayne

Posted at 12:35 PM ET, 07/22/2011

Album review: Brandy and Ray J, “A Family Business”
By Allison Stewart

By Allison Stewart  |  12:35 PM ET, 07/22/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Brandy

Posted at 12:14 PM ET, 07/15/2011

Album review: “Live From Nowhere Near You, Vol. 2”
By Allison Stewart
A new benefit compilation includes tracks from Elliott Smith, Bright Eyes, members of Modest Mouse, the Shins and many more.

By Allison Stewart  |  12:14 PM ET, 07/15/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Elliott Smith, Bright Eyes, Eddie Vedder, The Strokes

Posted at 01:22 PM ET, 07/01/2011

Album review: “Rave on Buddy Holly”
By Allison Stewart
The tribute album to the bespectacled rock legend is a mixed bag.

By Allison Stewart  |  01:22 PM ET, 07/01/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews, Album reviews | Tags:  Buddy Holly

Posted at 11:48 AM ET, 06/28/2011

Album review: Beyonce, “4”
By Chris Richards
The mega-star’s new album is unfulfilling and leaves listeners feeling distant.

By Chris Richards  |  11:48 AM ET, 06/28/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Beyonce

Posted at 12:06 PM ET, 06/24/2011

Album review: Thievery Corporation, “Culture of Fear”
By Allison Stewart
More immaculate, if unsurprising club sounds from the D.C.-based DJ duo.

By Allison Stewart  |  12:06 PM ET, 06/24/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Thievery Corporation

Posted at 12:31 PM ET, 06/21/2011

Album review: Bon Iver, “Bon Iver”
By Chris Richards
The best album of 2011 so far, “Bon Iver” is the sound of pop music trying to figure out what it must become in a new century, gently turning itself inside out, showing off its gorgeous guts.

By Chris Richards  |  12:31 PM ET, 06/21/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Bon Iver

Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 06/17/2011

Album review: Pitbull, “Planet Pit”
By Allison Stewart
“Planet Pit” is its own future Greatest Hits package.

By Allison Stewart  |  11:30 AM ET, 06/17/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Pitbull

Posted at 12:31 PM ET, 06/10/2011

Album review: Battles, “Gloss Drop”
By Allison Stewart
After losing frontman Tyondai Braxton, the experimental New York group are less proggy, more cuddly.

By Allison Stewart  |  12:31 PM ET, 06/10/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Battles

Posted at 11:07 AM ET, 06/03/2011

Album review: Cults, “Cults”
By Allison Stewart
Brooklyn band is both bedraggled and beautiful on its debut.

By Allison Stewart  |  11:07 AM ET, 06/03/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Cults

Posted at 01:37 PM ET, 05/31/2011

Album reviews: My Morning Jacket, “Circuital” and Death Cab For Cutie, “Codes and Keys”
By David Malitz
Two alt-rock veterans deliver pleasing albums that should keep their careers charging forward.

By David Malitz  |  01:37 PM ET, 05/31/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Death Cab For Cutie, My Morning Jacket

Posted at 11:57 AM ET, 05/27/2011

Album review: Eddie Vedder, “Ukulele Songs”
By Allison Stewart
Pearl Jam’s frontman manages to avoid kitsch and novelty with a surprisingly touching collection of ukulele-based songs.

By Allison Stewart  |  11:57 AM ET, 05/27/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Eddie Vedder

Posted at 05:30 PM ET, 05/20/2011

Album review: Lady Gaga, “Born This Way”
By Chris Richards
Chris Richards reviews Lady Gaga’s second full-length album.

By Chris Richards  |  05:30 PM ET, 05/20/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Lady Gaga

Posted at 04:09 PM ET, 05/20/2011

Album review: Boris, “Heavy Rocks” and “Attention Please”
By Allison Stewart
The shapeshifting Japanese metal band offers two new albums.

By Allison Stewart  |  04:09 PM ET, 05/20/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Boris

Posted at 11:01 AM ET, 05/13/2011

Album review: Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi, “Rome”
By Allison Stewart
The noted producer and Italian composer create something like a spaghetti western version of a hipster art project.

By Allison Stewart  |  11:01 AM ET, 05/13/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Danger Mouse

Posted at 01:06 PM ET, 05/10/2011

Album review: Gang Gang Dance, “Eye Contact”
By Chris Richards
The New York group fulfills its cosmic musical ambition.

By Chris Richards  |  01:06 PM ET, 05/10/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Gang Gang Dance

Posted at 12:37 PM ET, 05/10/2011

Album review: Tyler, the Creator, “Goblin”
By Allison Stewart

By Allison Stewart  |  12:37 PM ET, 05/10/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Odd Future, Tyler, the Creator

Posted at 11:32 AM ET, 05/06/2011

Album review: Mexicans With Guns, “Ceremony”
By Allison Stewart
A dark, bass-heavy mixture of dubstep, hip-hop, ’90s-style drum ’n’ bass and old-school 8-bit.

By Allison Stewart  |  11:32 AM ET, 05/06/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Mexicans With Guns

Posted at 01:54 PM ET, 05/03/2011

Album review: Jennifer Lopez, “Love?”
By Allison Stewart
By staying away for a while, J-Lo might have a hit on her hands.

By Allison Stewart  |  01:54 PM ET, 05/03/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Jennifer Lopez

Posted at 10:54 AM ET, 04/29/2011

Album review: In Flagranti, “Worse for Wear”
By Chris Richards
Underrated European duo continues to churn out invigorating outsider disco.

By Chris Richards  |  10:54 AM ET, 04/29/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  In Flagranti

Posted at 02:18 PM ET, 04/26/2011

Album reviews: Steve Earle, “Alive” and Emmylou Harris, “Hard Bargain”
By Allison Stewart
Two of alt-country’s biggest names return with new albums.

By Allison Stewart  |  02:18 PM ET, 04/26/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris

Posted at 11:35 AM ET, 04/22/2011

Album review: Cass McCombs, “Wit’s End”
By Chris Richards
Nomadic singer-songwriter’s latest is soft and sinister, but sometimes a little too monotonous.

By Chris Richards  |  11:35 AM ET, 04/22/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Cass McCombs

Posted at 12:30 PM ET, 04/15/2011

Album review: Big K.R.I.T., “Returnof 4Eva”
By Chris Richards
The Mississippi newcomer demands attention on his spectacular new mixtape.

By Chris Richards  |  12:30 PM ET, 04/15/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Big K.R.I.T.

Posted at 12:30 PM ET, 04/11/2011

Album review: Panda Bear, “Tomboy”
By Chris Richards
The Animal Collective member’s new solo album sounds more familiar than foreign.

By Chris Richards  |  12:30 PM ET, 04/11/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Panda Bear

Posted at 01:29 PM ET, 04/08/2011

Album review: Magnetic Man, “Magnetic Man”
By Chris Richards
The British trio are pushing dubstep into pop terrain.

By Chris Richards  |  01:29 PM ET, 04/08/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Magnetic Man

Posted at 12:16 PM ET, 04/01/2011

Album review: Bill Callahan, “Apocalypse”
By Chris Richards
The former Smog singer writes outsider folk tunes that feel both simple and strange.

By Chris Richards  |  12:16 PM ET, 04/01/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews, Album reviews | Tags:  Bill Callahan

Posted at 11:08 AM ET, 03/29/2011

Album review: Britney Spears, “Femme Fatale”
By Chris Richards
With her seventh album, “Femme Fatale,” it’s time to send Brit to Vegas.

By Chris Richards  |  11:08 AM ET, 03/29/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Click Track, Album reviews | Tags:  Britney Spears

Posted at 02:33 PM ET, 03/22/2011

Album review: The Strokes, “Angles”
By Chris Richards
Don’t call it a comeback — the Strokes fall flat on their fourth album.

By Chris Richards  |  02:33 PM ET, 03/22/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  The Strokes

Posted at 02:02 PM ET, 03/22/2011

Album review: Jennifer Hudson, “I Remember Me”
By Allison Stewart
Her voice remains spectacular, but the songs still leave something to be desired.

By Allison Stewart  |  02:02 PM ET, 03/22/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Jennifer Hudson

Posted at 12:34 PM ET, 03/11/2011

Album review: J. Holiday, "M.I.A. The Lost Pages"
By Chris Richards
D.C.’s J. Holiday returns with an impressive new mixtape, his first release in nearly two years.

By Chris Richards  |  12:34 PM ET, 03/11/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  J. Holiday

Posted at 01:25 PM ET, 03/08/2011

Album review: R.E.M., "Collapse Into Now"
By David Malitz
R.E.M. is sounding a whole lot like R.E.M. on its 15th album.

By David Malitz  |  01:25 PM ET, 03/08/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  R.E.M.

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 03/01/2011

Album review: "Mama I'll Be Long Gone: The Complete Recordings of Amede Ardoin"
By Bill Friskics-Warren
Plenty of myth-enshrouded Mississippi bluesmen who recorded during the Great Depression were eventually recognized as pioneers of the genre. Some, such as Charley Patton, Skip James and Robert Johnson, ultimately, if to varying degrees, found an enduring place in the...

By Bill Friskics-Warren  |  02:00 PM ET, 03/01/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Amede Ardoin

Posted at 01:35 PM ET, 02/01/2011

Album reviews: George Michael, "Faith" and Ricky Martin, "Musica + Alma + Sexo"
By Allison Stewart
George Michael's mega-hit "Faith" gets the deluxe reissue treatment. (MJ Kim/Getty Images) They both started young: Ricky Martin was 12 when he landed a part in the boy band prototype Menudo; George Michael was in his teens when he co-founded...

By Allison Stewart  |  01:35 PM ET, 02/01/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  George Michael, Ricky Martin

Posted at 12:30 PM ET, 01/25/2011

Album review: U.S. Royalty, "Mirrors"
By Allison Stewart
D.C.'s U.S. Royalty is still seeking its own voice. (Katherine Frey/TWP) U.S. Royalty's first full-length disc, "Mirrors," comes out Tuesday, but the Washington, D.C.-based group is already Internet-famous. In recent months it has received the sort of mainstream attention that...

By Allison Stewart  |  12:30 PM ET, 01/25/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  U.S. Royalty

Posted at 01:36 PM ET, 12/14/2010

Album review: Michael Jackson, "Michael"
By Chris Richards
If you've ever dreamed of Michael Jackson singing into your answering machine, then you have a reason to pick up "Michael," the first posthumous album from a singer who's sold more than 35 million albums worldwide since his sudden...

By Chris Richards  |  01:36 PM ET, 12/14/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Michael Jackson

Posted at 02:15 PM ET, 11/19/2010

Dark. Twisted. Fantastic: On his epic fifth album, Kanye West creates a manic, mutated, gorgeous world — with himself, as always, at the center
By Chris Richards
Kanye West's new album is the best of his career (Phil McCarten/MTV/Picturegroup via Associated Press) For a man who demands every nanosecond of our collective attention, Kanye West probably had a pretty crummy day last Tuesday. That's when Apple announced...

By Chris Richards  |  02:15 PM ET, 11/19/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Kanye West

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 11/16/2010

Album review: Rihanna, "Loud"
By Chris Richards
Rihanna (Tracy Woodward/TWP) After squeezing five huge albums into her tiny six-year career, here's what we actually know about Rihanna: She sang a summer-defining love song about a parasol. She owns an anguished, sweet-and-sour voice and ravishing good looks. And,...

By Chris Richards  |  12:00 PM ET, 11/16/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Rihanna

Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 11/16/2010

Album review: Josh Groban, "Illuminations"
By Allison Stewart
The seemingly odd pairing of Josh Groban and producer Rick Rubin makes sense. (Charles Sykes/AP) Why didn't it come along sooner, this pairing of popera icon Josh Groban and mythical music guy Rick Rubin? Sure, it might seem strange at...

By Allison Stewart  |  11:30 AM ET, 11/16/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Josh Groban

Posted at 01:35 PM ET, 11/12/2010

Album review: Bruce Springsteen, "The Promise"
By Allison Stewart
Bruce Springsteen's new album of outtakes is the missing link between "Born to Run" and "Darkness on the Edge of Town." (Joel Richardson/TWP File) The endless, tension-filled sessions for Bruce Springsteen's 1978 masterwork "Darkness on the Edge of Town" yielded...

By Allison Stewart  |  01:35 PM ET, 11/12/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Bruce Springsteen

Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 11/09/2010

Album review: Cee-Lo Green, "Lady Killer"
By Bill Friskics-Warren
Cee-Lo Green, seen here performing with Goodie Mob in 2009, shapeshifts with success yet again. (Kyle Gustafson/FTWP) One of contemporary pop's great changelings, Cee-Lo Green has a rare knack for assuming a variety of guises while always managing to sound...

By Bill Friskics-Warren  |  11:30 AM ET, 11/09/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Cee-Lo Green

Posted at 03:14 PM ET, 10/24/2010

Album review: Taylor Swift, "Speak Now"
By Allison Stewart
Taylor Swift settles many scores on her excellent new album. (Toni L. Sandys/TWP) By Allison Stewart Taylor Swift's ridiculously entertaining new album, "Speak Now," is a lengthy, captivating exercise in woo-pitching, flame tending and score-settling -- with a heavy emphasis...

By Allison Stewart  |  03:14 PM ET, 10/24/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Taylor Swift

Posted at 11:35 AM ET, 10/19/2010

Album review: Kings of Leon, "Come Around Sundown"
By Chris Richards
According to Kings of Leon, it ain't easy being Kings of Leon. By Chris Richards Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill faces an impossible 21st-century task: How can he be a rock star when rock stars no longer play rock-and-roll?...

By Chris Richards  |  11:35 AM ET, 10/19/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Kings of Leon

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 10/05/2010

Album review: Toby Keith, "Bullets in the Gun"
By The Reliable Source
Toby Keith's "Bullets in the Gun" runs short on surprises, good or bad . (Kyle Gustafson/FTPW) By Bill Friskics-Warren Toby Keith can be predictably boorish, but he can also surprise you, as his regrettably titled new album, “Bullets in...

By The Reliable Source  |  11:00 AM ET, 10/05/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Toby Keith

Posted at 10:30 AM ET, 10/05/2010

Album review: Marnie Stern, "Marnie Stern (Self Titled)"
By The Reliable Source
Marnie Stern shreds and slashes on her new self-titled record By Patrick Foster The guitar is everything for Marnie Stern. But she’s no posturing six-string hero: The intertwining, multilayered guitar tracks on her eponymous third album come across like...

By The Reliable Source  |  10:30 AM ET, 10/05/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Marnie stern, kill rock stars

Posted at 09:30 AM ET, 10/05/2010

Album review: Bruno Mars, "Doo-Wops & Hooligans"
By The Reliable Source
Bruno Mars, 2010. (Evan Agostini/MTV/PictureGroup) By Sean Fennessey We can’t be sure, but Bruno Mars might be an android. The Hawaii-born singer-songwriter-producer-pop terror was unleashed onto the world this year, like a future-sent cyborg come to swallow the Billboard...

By The Reliable Source  |  09:30 AM ET, 10/05/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  bruno mars

Posted at 11:45 AM ET, 09/21/2010

Album review: Zac Brown Band, "You Get What You Give"
By Chris Richards
Good luck finding something to enjoy on the new one by Zac Brown. (Linda Davidson/TWP) By Chris Richards If you're having a hard time spotting the differences between Nashville and Margaritaville, blame Kenny Chesney, the country superstar who found perennial...

By Chris Richards  |  11:45 AM ET, 09/21/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Zac Brown Band

Posted at 11:34 AM ET, 09/07/2010

Album reviews: The Walkmen, "Lisbon" and Interpol, "Interpol"
By David Malitz
Relaxation suits the Walkmen well on "Lisbon." (Courtesy of Tell All Your Friends PR) By David Malitz New York and its music are perpetually cool, even if the particular brand of coolness is constantly shifting. In the early 2000s the...

By David Malitz  |  11:34 AM ET, 09/07/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Interpol, The Walkmen

Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 08/24/2010

Album review: Katy Perry, "Teenage Dream"
By Chris Richards
Katy Perry - good girl gone bad? Bad girl gone worse? By Chris Richards So fine. So fresh. So fierce. For an entire summer, it refused to leave us alone, tumbling out of cars, gyms, nightclubs and shopping malls as...

By Chris Richards  |  11:30 AM ET, 08/24/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Katy Perry

Posted at 02:05 PM ET, 07/30/2010

Album review: Arcade Fire, "The Suburbs"
By Chris Richards
Bigger does not mean better for Arcade Fire. (Gabriel Jones) By Chris Richards Expectations run dangerously high for Arcade Fire, a band so fluent in grand gestures fans expect nothing short of indie-rock transcendence. But how do you make a...

By Chris Richards  |  02:05 PM ET, 07/30/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Arcade Fire

Posted at 10:00 AM ET, 07/27/2010

Album review: Best Coast, "Crazy For You"
By Chris Richards
Best Coast: brilliant, stupid or both? By Chris Richards If you remember a time when rock-and-roll was so idiotic it was genius, you remember 1977. That's when four New York numbskulls called the Ramones asserted themselves as the most vital...

By Chris Richards  |  10:00 AM ET, 07/27/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Best Coast

Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 07/16/2010

Coda: M.I.A. meanders, the Dead Weather vexes, vuvuzela remains totally awesome
By Chris Richards
The Dead Weather brought its thunder to 9:30 Club, Tuesday. Did anyone catch the drummer's name? (Evy Mages/FTWP) By Chris Richards Another hot and sweaty week on Click Track has come to a close. It was a week of let-downs...

By Chris Richards  |  02:30 PM ET, 07/16/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews, Album reviews | Tags:  Coda

Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 07/13/2010

Album review: M.I.A., "/\/\ /\ Y /\"
By Chris Richards
Third time is not a charm for M.I.A. By Chris Richards M.I.A.'s new album opens with the familiar clickity-clickity of fingertips keystroking a laptop. Then come much scarier monsters: noxious sirens, nail-gun percussion and chainsaw synthesizers intent on cutting your...

By Chris Richards  |  11:30 AM ET, 07/13/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  M.I.A.

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 07/06/2010

Album review: Big Boi, "Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty"
By Chris Richards
Big Boi's solo debut was worth the long wait. (Kyle Gustafon/FTWP) By Chris Richards Based on names alone, you might think Southern hip-hop was a mere micro-genre ruled by pint-size street poets -- a niche market teeming with Lil...

By Chris Richards  |  12:00 PM ET, 07/06/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Big Boi

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 06/29/2010

Album review: The-Dream, "Love King"
By David Malitz
The-Dream has penned plenty of hits for others. Now it's his turn to shine on his own. By Chris Richards The high-fructose R&B of Terius "The-Dream" Nash has become so synonymous with summer, it now rivals the Slurpee. It's cool....

By David Malitz  |  11:00 AM ET, 06/29/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 06/22/2010

Album review: Eminem, "Recovery"
By David Malitz
Eminem's return is underwhelming. (Gary Malerba/Associated Press) By Sean Fennessey It's not easy being yourself. Not when you're not yourself anymore. Eminem has been startlingly honest since he returned from a three-year hiatus in 2009. By turns remorseful and recalcitrant...

By David Malitz  |  11:00 AM ET, 06/22/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Eminem

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 06/15/2010

Album review: Drake, "Thank Me Later"
By David Malitz
Drake is reinventing what it means to be real. (Kyle Gustafson/TWP) By Chris Richards In hip-hop, the only way to trump the inviolable law of Keeping It Real is to establish a whole new reality. That's why Drake, a Canadian...

By David Malitz  |  11:00 AM ET, 06/15/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Drake

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 06/08/2010

Album review: Dierks Bentley, "Up on the Ridge"
By David Malitz
Dierks Bentley has given up pop-country for his bluegrass-rooted album. (Josh Anderson/Associated Press) By Chris Richards The last time we heard from country star Dierks Bentley, everything was hunky-dorky. It was the summer of 2009 and the Arizona pretty boy...

By David Malitz  |  11:00 AM ET, 06/08/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Dierks Bentley

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 05/18/2010

Album review: Sleigh Bells, "Treats"
By David Malitz
Sleigh Bells - from nobody to Next Big Thing in just a year. By Allison Stewart A year ago, Sleigh Bells barely existed. And now, it's as if they'd always been here: Brooklyn's hottest band, and the Internet's noisiest...

By David Malitz  |  12:00 PM ET, 05/18/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Sleigh Bells

Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 05/18/2010

Album review: LCD Soundsystem, "This Is Happening
By David Malitz
If it's the end for LCD Soundsystem, James Murphy went out on a high. (Ruvan Wijesooriya) By Chris Richards The myth goes like this: In a display of neurosis, determination and egomania, Picasso would bring his paintings to the Louvre...

By David Malitz  |  10:45 AM ET, 05/18/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  LCD Soundsystem

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 05/04/2010

Album review: Court Yard Hounds, "Court Yard Hounds"
By David Malitz
Court Yard Hounds lack bite on their debut album. (By Bruce Gilbert) By Chris Richards Now here's a debut album with real powder-keg potential. When lead singer Natalie Maines sent the Dixie Chicks into that dreaded limbo known as "indefinite...

By David Malitz  |  11:00 AM ET, 05/04/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Court Yard Hounds

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 05/04/2010

Album review: Barbra Streisand, "One Night Only Barbra Streisand and Quartet at The Village Vanguard"
By David Malitz
Barbra Streisand is in classic form on her new album/DVD. (Firooz Zahedi) By Allison Stewart One night last September, Barbra Streisand promoted the release of her then-new disc "Love Is the Answer" with a special show at the legendary...

By David Malitz  |  09:00 AM ET, 05/04/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Barbra Streisand

Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 04/27/2010

Album review: Hole, "Nobody's Daughter"
By David Malitz
There's barely anything to like, let alone love on the new Hole album. By Joe Heim There's a lot to dislike about Courtney Love. And almost all of what's dislikable shows up on "Nobody's Daughter," the new album by Love's...

By David Malitz  |  11:30 AM ET, 04/27/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Courtney Love, Hole

Posted at 10:30 AM ET, 04/20/2010

Album reviews: Willie Nelson, "Country Music" and Merle Haggard, "I Am What I Am"
By David Malitz
Country icons Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson both have new albums. (Bill O'Leary/TWP) By Chris Richards In his final earthly throes, Johnny Cash set a new standard for aging country icons: Unload the heavy stuff at the end of the...

By David Malitz  |  10:30 AM ET, 04/20/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson

Posted at 10:30 AM ET, 04/13/2010

Album review: MGMT, "Congratulations"
By David Malitz
MGMT's followup to "Oracle Spectacular" is plenty confusing. (Photo courtesy Columbia Records) By Allison Stewart "I hope I die before I get sold," sings MGMT on its solid, if befuddling, new disc, "Congratulations," though the band must realize it's much...

By David Malitz  |  10:30 AM ET, 04/13/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  MGMT

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 03/30/2010

Album review: Erykah Badu, "New Amerykah, Part Two: Return of the Ankh"
By David Malitz
Erykah Badu gives a nod to Notorious B.I.G. and blaxploitation on her new album. By Chris Richards Put that popcorn away. "New Amerykah, Part Two: Return of the Ankh" might sound like some C-grade mummy movie starring Brendan Fraser, but...

By David Malitz  |  11:00 AM ET, 03/30/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Erykah Badu

Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 03/30/2010

Album review: Alan Jackson, "Freight Train"
By David Malitz
Out of gas? Given Alan Jackson's track record, "Freight Train" is all the more disappointing. (Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press). By Joe Heim A decade ago Alan Jackson teamed up with fellow country music superstar George Strait to deliver "Murder on...

By David Malitz  |  10:45 AM ET, 03/30/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Alan Jackson

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 03/23/2010

Album review: Justin Bieber, "My World 2.0"
By David Malitz
The songwriting gets a bit duller on Justin Bieber's full-length debut. By Chris Richards If we truly want the best for America's children, let us pause and give thanks for Justin Bieber. After years of humdrum bubblegum from Miley Cyrus...

By David Malitz  |  11:00 AM ET, 03/23/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Justin Bieber

Posted at 08:15 AM ET, 03/09/2010

Album review: Gorillaz, "Plastic Beach"
By David Malitz
Gorillaz are joined by a bevy of guests on "Plastic Beach." By Allison Stewart Imagine mysterious British street artist Banksy fronting the Banana Splits and you'll pretty much get the point of Gorillaz, the virtual side project of occasional Blur...

By David Malitz  |  08:15 AM ET, 03/09/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Gorillaz

Posted at 08:15 AM ET, 03/02/2010

Album review: Raheem DeVaughn, "The Love & War Masterpeace"
By David Malitz
D.C.'s Raheem DeVaughn fulfills his potential on his new album. (Dayna Smith For The Washington Post) By Sarah Godfrey If Raheem DeVaughn were from another city, he might be compared to another singer, but with his D.C. roots, sparkling falsetto...

By David Malitz  |  08:15 AM ET, 03/02/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Raheem DeVaughn

Posted at 08:15 AM ET, 02/23/2010

Album review: Johnny Cash, "American VI: Ain't No Grave"
By David Malitz
The last volume of the "American Recording" series presents the late Cash as an unwavering man of faith. (REUTERS/Martyn Atkins) By Bill Friskics-Warren One of the most moving moments at Johnny Cash's funeral at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn.,...

By David Malitz  |  08:15 AM ET, 02/23/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Johnny Cash

Posted at 08:15 AM ET, 02/09/2010

Album review: Sade, "Soldier of Love"
By David Malitz
Worth the wait: Sade's first album in 10 years is a triumph. By Chris Richards Absence makes the heart grow . . . what is it again? Ruminative? Bereft? So it seems from Sade's new album "Soldier of Love" -...

By David Malitz  |  08:15 AM ET, 02/09/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Sade

Posted at 08:45 AM ET, 02/02/2010

Album review: Lil Wayne, "Rebirth"
By David Malitz
What did we do to deserve this, Weezy? By Allison Stewart Undaunted by early leaks, bad buzz or any lingering sense of artistic self-preservation, Lil Wayne has at last released "Rebirth," the least anticipated album in recent history. "Rebirth," as...

By David Malitz  |  08:45 AM ET, 02/02/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Lil Wayne

Posted at 09:05 AM ET, 01/26/2010

Album Review: Lady Antebellum, "Need You Now"
By David Malitz
Lady Antebellum will sell plenty of albums, but doesn't live up to its potential on "Need You Now." By Chris Richards What might be the most heart-mashing ballad ever written about a late-night booty call doubles as the title track...

By David Malitz  |  09:05 AM ET, 01/26/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Lady Antebellum

Posted at 04:29 PM ET, 01/08/2010

The privilege is ours: A review of Vampire Weekend's 'Contra'
By Chris Richards
Vampire Weekend - sharp dressed men. (Søren Solkær Starbird) By Chris Richards Vampire Weekend's new album, "Contra," arrives at the dawn of what's sure to be a decade of details. The small stuff will be sweated. And tweeted. And micro-blogged....

By Chris Richards  |  04:29 PM ET, 01/08/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Album reviews | Tags:  Vampire Weekend