While 2008's "New Amerykah Part One: 4th World War" emphasized digital sounds and social or political concerns, the Nubian Princess now embraces an opposite approach - live instrumentation (strings, piano, Theremin, even a harp on the instrumental "Incense") and warmer sentiments, notably on the soulful and sunny "Window Seat." Badu once again collaborates with some of the finest producers in underground hip-hop, including Madlib, J. Dilla, members of SA-RA Creative Partners, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and James Poyser.
Usher "Raymond vs. Raymond"
The R&B Wonder Boy still growing up, now puts his either/or situation up front with "Raymond v. Raymond." Says he chose it because the 14 selections deal with reconciling life as a regular guy with superstar heartthrob status. Like his 2004 chart-topping breakthrough, "Confessions," this record comes on the heels of a painful romantic split: Usher and Tameka Raymond, the mother of his two young sons, divorced last November. Not surprisingly, the emotional character of the record swings back and forth, from the vitriolic "Papers" to the erotically charged "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)." The follow-up to 2008's "Here I Stand" features cameos from Nicki Minaj, Ludacris, Will.I.Am and T.I., as well as production by Polow Da Don, Danja, Jim Jonsin, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
Barenaked Ladies "All in Good Time"
The album finds this Canadian pop combo re-establishing themselves as a quartet; the group's 11th album, which reunites them with producer Michael Phillip Wojewoda (who also worked on 1992's "Gordon"), is its first since founding member Steve Page parted ways with BNL last year. Singer-guitarist Ed Robertson, who co-founded the band with Page in 1988, reportedly took advantage of this new chapter to challenge himself as a songwriter; lead single "You Run Away" (which seems to address a failed friendship) showcases a melancholy tone one might not immediately associate with the smiling guys behind hits like "One Week" and "Pinch Me." A hugely popular live act, BNL begin their latest North American tour on April 6 in Victoria, British Columbia.
Gretchen Wilson " I Got Your Country Right Here"
After racking up three No. 1 country albums for the fat cats at Sony, everyone's favorite "Redneck Woman" has gone into business for herself: "I Got Your Country Right Here" is Wilson's debut for her own Redneck Records imprint. To hear Gretchen tell it, her fourth album is the most honest representation of who she is musically to date. She name checks Charlie Daniels and the Allman Brothers Band on the Southern rock title track, adds another surefire blue-collar crowd-pleaser to her repertoire with "Work Hard, Play Harder," and evokes the confrontational cool of Loretta Lynn on the don't-mess-with-my-man warning "The Earrings Song."
Other New Releases Worth Checking Out:
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)
- Alan Jackson: "Freight Train"
- Dum Dum Girls: "I Will Be"
- Bettie Serveert: "Pharmacy of Love"
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