Core followers also prefer tunes packed with hooks. The smaller surprise is that fans crave earlier incarnations of Mudvayne staples like “Death Blooms” and “Not Falling,” heard here on eight well-polished demos. It was no shock that “Dig” made the cut - a raw, thudding take of the song was captured from 2003’s Summer Sanitarium tour. Mudvayne, “By the People, For the People”Alternative metal crew Mudvayne let fans choose the track listing and album art for this pseudo-greatest-hits set, and the masses have spoken with a coherent voice. Thanks to instrumental contributions by reggae vets including Sly & Robbie as well as several members of the extended Marley clan, Javaughn’s pop-wise confections (many written by his father, John Bond) throb with a vintage vibe that should satisfy any old-schoolers. But if “Superstar” plays up the singer’s youth, the album’s sound is not one of inexperience.
The key track on “Superstar” is an update of “Santa Claus (Do You Ever Come to the Ghetto?)” on which Javaughn’s adolescent voice is pitched up even higher, to resemble that of a baby.
Javaughn, “Superstar”On his delightfully lightweight major-label debut, this 14-year-old Jamaican native makes no attempt to pass himself off as an adult. “Fuego” has pleasing retro touches that recall “Planet Rock.” Of the slower songs, the best is the refreshingly serious “My Life” If you don’t mind the 2 Live Crew-ish blue streak on this set, turn it up. There are some party-perfect club tracks, particularly “The Anthem,” a fun hip-shaker featuring Lil Jon, and “Midnight,” featuring Casely on the hook. The talented Miami MC shows his range here, deftly transitioning from uptempo dance to R&B to everything in between. Pitbull, “The Boatlift”Pitbull’s signature combination of clever, in-your-face Spanglish lyrics and frenetic dance beats is at its best on this album, where he plays to his less excessively crude sensibilities. Here, her vocals - less developed and wobblier than now, yet still astounding - and tell-it-like-it-is lyrics take center stage. While the latter disc found Winehouse cackling over lush vintage soul backdrops, “Frank” uses sparse instrumentation to achieve a subtler, jazzier effect. Now, just in time to capitalize on the success of the Brit’s breakthrough, “Back to Black,” the debut is appearing stateside for the first time. fans likely discovered Amy Winehouse through her stellar 2003 debut, “Frank,” the album flew under the American pop radar. A bonus disc features a host of remixes, including three versions each of “DARE” and “Kids With Guns.”Īmy Winehouse, “Frank”Although U.K. “Hong Kong,” originally recorded for a Warchild benefit album, is a different animal: Albarn is at his Blurriest, his voice melancholy yet hopeful as he muses over a river of gently plucked strings. “People” is also a great listen the song is a demo version of “Demon Days” single “DARE,” but here it has a completely different lyric and melody, sung by bandleader Damon Albarn (aka 2D) instead of eventual guest vocalist Shaun Ryder. Opener “68 State” is a sexy, fractured instrumental, propelled by a haunting bassline. Gorillaz, “D-Sides”Gorillaz’ second rarities compilation covers “phase two” of the cartoon-avatar band’s career, centering on its second album, 2005’s “Demon Days.” It’s not all killer, but some impressive tracks lurk within. You’ll search in vain for insight into her recent personal traumas, but there’s still plenty of heart and soul and, in the shape of “Sensitized,” “In My Arms,” “The One” and lead single “Two Hearts,” her best batch of tunes in a while. The hip producers (Calvin Harris, Bloodshy & Avant) and heavy-hitting songwriters (Guy Chambers, Cathy Dennis) are all present and correct, but they never overshadow Minogue’s perky/saucy pop/dance formula. Indeed, her 10th studio album (due next year in the United States) is stuffed with pointers as to why she’s one of the few pure pop artists to sustain a career into a third decade without ever pulling a Britney.
Kylie Minogue, “X”Even after a four-year absence and a courageous battle against cancer, Kylie Minogue’s appetite for pop perfection remains undimmed.