Just Push Play
(Columbia/Sony Music)
A middlin' effort from "the boneyard boys" this time out. Best of the bunch are "Drop Dead Gorgeous," the single "Jaded" and "Fly Away From Here" which could fit nicely in some feel-good Disney animated cartoon. But with songs like "Sunshine" and "Under My Skin" you can almost hear the old bones starting to creak.
ANThology
(Dreamworks Records)
A joint project by Dreamworks Records and Papa Roach's New Noize label, the quartet lays down guitar driven rock that will be familiar turf to Limp Bizkit fans. The first single, "Movies," is already burning up some charts in the U.S. "Flesh and Bone," "Stranded" and "Death Day" set the band apart from many of the pretenders out there, but not enough to have any lasting satisfaction.
(Island/Universal)
Led by DJ Alex Patterson, The Orb has been called the ultimate chill-out band. Featuring 13 new tracks and beginning with the first single, "Once More," the album is more vocally oriented than previous Orb efforts. It moves effortlessly between electronic, techno and drum'n bass, but always pushes the envelope.
Everyday
(BMG)
One of pop's hot live acts turns it up a notch in this new studio disc produced and co-written by Glen Ballard (Alanis Morissette'XSs writing partner). Great vocal performances by Matthews on "The Space Between" and "Dreams of Our Fathers" are augmented by outstanding song collaborations, in particular on "If I Had It All" and "What You Are." Destined to be one of the year's best releases.
(Isadora/Universal)
Odd collection of mournful yet eclectic songs from this Canadian singer/songwriter that reminds one of a feeling-doomed Rufus Wainwright. "Little Tragedies" and "Clever Not Beautiful" manage to be poignant without too much angst, but what this boy seems to need more than anything is a good dose of fun.
Unwind
(Republic/Universal)
The follow-up to their 1999 debut February Son will please many of their fans with tracks such as "Come to Stay" and "Yours If You Like." After that, the album shifts gears to the current single "Are You There?" and then moves into uncharted territory with the acoustic "Halo" (which was originally written for the first album), "Tightrope" (a waltz), and then more high-energy hijinks in "Unwind," "She's Up She's Down" and "Benign."
- Gerry Young