Enter HERE to win one of six sets of CDs reviewed on this page and one of five $50 gift certificates from HMV.
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Enter HERE to win one of six sets of CDs reviewed on this page and one of five $50 gift certificates from HMV. |
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Pulp We Love Life Universal/Island  A
surprisingly positive record from the perennial English sulkers whose last
record, This Is Hardcore was, in their own words, about "nihilistic
brinkmanship and disillusionment." From the first song,
"Weeds," which contains strong writing, production and
performance, this is a far different record from their last one, and
possibly one for the ages. |
Natalie
Merchant Motherland Elektra/Warner  An
eclectic and relevant third studio album by Merchant, self-produced along
with T-Bone Burnett. A mid-eastern flavor on "This House On
Fire" betrays the politics of the message and was eerily recorded
days before attack on the World Trade Center. Other standouts
include "Saint Judas" and "Golden Boy". |
| Jewel This Way Atlantic/Warner  Produced
in Nashville, Jewel Kilcher's first album of original material in three
years seems to be a careful step back into the spotlight, with thoughtful,
pleasant, non-offending offerings that should please her fans, but not
bring her any new ones. |
Michael
Jackson Invincible Epic/Sony  I
have no desire to trash someone when they're down, but this release does
nothing to stop Jacko's free-fall in the pop music scene. Even with solid
production help from the likes of Babyface, R. Kelly and Rodney Jenkins,
the songs, apart from "Break of Dawn," lack any identity, sung
by a fading icon. |
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| Shelby
Lynne Love, Shelby Universal/Island  A
knockout disc that teams reborn rocker Lynne with production masters Glen
Ballardand Bob Clearmountain in a riveting set of ten terrific songs. If her last album, in 2000, the Grammy-winning I Am Shelby Lynne, established her as a phenomenal singer/songwriter, Love, Shelby more than cements the deal. |
Shakira Laundry Service Epic/Sony  Conversely
sounding likethe B-52s one moment and a wannabe Christina Aguilera the next, this misguided effort has no one to blame except Shakira herself, who writes, performs and produces this overblown mess, along with Emilio Estefan Jr., credited as Executive Producer. - Gerry Young
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