The Dream "Love King"
Terius Youngdell Nash isn't a household name, but he's almost as influential as Jay-Z or Kanye West, having written huge hits for Rihanna ("Umbrella"), Mariah ("Touch My Body"), and the other Justin ("Baby"), among others. His career as a recording artist is none too shabby either: His albums "Love/Hate" and "Love vs. Money" were both R&B smashes, and the latter entered the pop charts at No.2. The Atlanta-based singer-songwriter completes this trilogy with "Love King," written and produced with his cohorts Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and Carlos "Los Da Mystro" McKinney. The finger-snapping "Make-Up Bag," featuring T.I., is a rare instance where conspicuous consumption almost passes for a genuine display of affection, while the effervescent, midtempo title tune is swaggering yet not thuggish.
3OH!3 "Touchin On My"
This Colorado duo took their comical name from the Denver area code, not the Roland TB-303 Bass Line synthesizer, but these electro-brats still know an awful lot about getting butts out on the dance floor. Sure, the sentiments they express on "Streets of Gold" are ridiculously immature -- we're talking about dudes whose aspirations include going viral "like a STD you got back in high school" ("I Can Do Anything") -- but damned if their cheesy pop songs don't make you want to dance, shout and pump your fist in the air. Top duos and ear candy include the drill team stomp of "My First Kiss" featuring the oh-so-classy Ke$ha and "Double Vision" with recent tour mates Cobra Starship.
June is Gay Pride month, and what better way to celebrate than with a new album from the New York ensemble. They have deep roots in the underground queer clubs of the Big Apple, returns with "Night Work," produced by Stuart Price. The lead single "Fire With Fire" doesn't immediately ignite, but repeated spins reinforce the band's ability to write pop songs that rival their early patron Elton John; hopefully this is the radio hit that makes them as big in the U.S. as they are overseas (their 2004 self-titled debut was the best-selling album in the U.K. that year). Those who prefer the group's more histrionic side are directed to the 80's Hits sound-alike "Invisible Light," complete with a dramatic monologue from Sir Ian McKellan, and the disco-funk of "Any Which Way You Can," in which Jake Shears' falsetto offsets lascivious come-ons from his husky-voiced foil Ana Matronic.
Alejandro Escovedo "Street Songs of Love"
This long lasting musician has a backstory any artist would kill for: His band the Nuns supported the Sex Pistols at their infamous 1978 Winterland gig, his '80s ensemble Rank and File was alt-country back when they still called the genre "cowpunk," and he survived a nasty bout with hepatitis C in 2003. "Street Songs of Love" once again underscores that this Texas troubadour should be as big as Tom Petty, John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen. In fact, the Boss even shows up to sing on the full-throated "Faith." Produced by Tony Visconti (T. Rex, David Bowie), this superlative 13-song set includes "Tender Heart," a rip-roaring, piano-driven tune reminiscent of the Stooges circa "Raw Power," and the sultry, sinister "Street Songs."
Other New Releases Worth Checking Out:
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)
- Peter Case "Wig"
- Judy Collins "Paradise"
- Pegi Young "Foul Deeds"
- Semi-Precious Weapons "We Love You"
- Wolf Parade "Expo 86"
- Various Artists: "Frank Fairfield's Pawn Records Presents: Unheard Ofs & Forgotten Abouts"
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