Forum Views () 
Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
Billboard CD reviews: Air, Devendra Banhart  
 
 
 
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
 
 
 
Asia Pacific
World
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Billboard CD reviews: Air, Devendra Banhart
 
 
  
 
 Reuters - Saturday, October 24
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ARTIST: AIR
 
ALBUM: LOVE 2
 
NEW YORK , but one thing is certain: Style trumps substance in this particular breath of Air.
 
ARTIST: DEVENDRA BANHART
 
ALBUM: WHAT WILL WE BE
 
Devendra Banhart's major-label debut, "What Will We Be," was recorded with the same collaborators who graced his 2007 "Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon." This time the quintet holed up for two months in a Northern California cabin, and the resulting collection from the idiosyncratic singer-songwriter is intimate, experimental and ultimately accessible. The first single, "Baby," is a breezy yet bass-heavy love song about "learning to let in all the laughter," while "Chin Chin & Muck Muck" is something of a vanguard mini-review, changing acts between swinging jazz, cabaret torch and a twinkling chant. Banhart's Venezuelan childhood peeks through with Spanish lyrics on "Angelika" and "Brindo," and "Rats" is a full-fledged psychedelic-rock jam. Throughout the set, Banhart's expressive vocals are the real pleasure point; the artist may be known for his self-supported aura of knowing peculiarity, but his voice carries a frankness that -- save some well-applied reverb -- is gratifyingly free of modern affectation.
 
ARTIST: MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO
 
ALBUM: DEVIL'S HALO
 
Though not as sprawlingly ambitious or experimental as the 2007 "The World Has Made Me the Man of My Dreams," Meshell Ndegeocello's eighth release, "Devil's Halo," neatly straddles a line between challenging and accessible, with some of the tightest and catchiest compositions she's yet brought forth. Listeners might not get that from the opening song, "Slaughter," which moves from liquid-like verses to crash-bang choruses with a Radiohead-style prog vibe, but tracks like "Mass Transit" and "Blood on the Curb" channel melodic, if slightly subversive, New Wave influences -- and the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde would pay large for the leathery attitude of "Lola." Ndegeocello lays jazz overtones atop of "White Girl," employs old-school synthesizers through "Die Young" and brings out front-porch Americana for "Crying in Your Beer." She also uses a big beat and subtle dissonance to turn Melvin Riley's "Love You Down" into a Joni Mitchell-flavored tone poem. "I transform myself for maximum attraction," Ndegeocello sings in "Mass Transit." It works.
 
ARTIST: JOE NICHOLS
 
ALBUM: OLD THINGS NEW
 
It's no stretch to say that Joe Nichols is country music's finest vocalist in at least a generation. That's not to diminish the often stunning vocal work of his immediate predecessors -- what puts Nichols above his peers in terms of vocal chops is that he's a natural singer. This was evident on his 1996 debut, and it's fully realized on his sixth album, "Old Things New." The set's title track evokes the primal pain and loneliness of George Jones during his Billy Sherrill-produced '70s heyday, while Merle Haggard's influence is displayed on the bone-chilling "This Bed's Too Big." Playful moments emerge on "Gimmie That Girl" and "Cheaper Than a Shrink," the latter extolling the painkilling virtues of good whiskey . The haunting "An Old Friend of Mine" finds the 32-year-old Nichols reciting words of sober resolution while communicating tortured forbearance. It looks like his honky-tonk forefathers -- Haggard, Jones, Lefty Frizzell and Gene Watson, to name a few -- were effective tutors.
 
ARTIST: LOU BARLOW
 
ALBUM: GOODNIGHT UNKNOWN
 
Lou Barlow's latest release, "Goodnight Unknown," incorporates the aggressive guitar, angst-ridden lyrics and low-fi sensibilities of his other bands while maintaining the sweet sophistication of his 2005 solo release, "Emoh." Recorded last year between tours with the two aforementioned acts, "Goodnight Unknown" is layered with subtle distortion and commanding percussion, combined with Barlow's confident, sometimes contemplative vocals. The set opens with the gritty "Sharing," and takes a lighter turn with the playful acoustic cut "Take Advantage," on which Barlow charmingly sings, "Love me like a pancake." But the album is strongest when he combines elements of folk and noise-rock, as on the title track and the stomping "One Machine, One Long Fight," where heavy percussion builds energy behind his determined vocals.
 
ARTIST: KINGS OF CONVENIENCE
 
ALBUM: DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE
 
On their first album in five years, the Norwegian duo Eirik Boe and Erlend Oye -- who record under the name Kings of Convenience -- have returned with more atmospheric folk-pop to soothe the soul. Percussion is nowhere to be found on the group's latest release, "Declaration of Dependence," and the pair's Simon & Garfunkel-esque harmonies are less dynamic than they once were. But there are still plenty of bright spots. Kings of Convenience's melodies range from the brisk and abstruse -- as heard on the angular "My Ship Isn't Pretty" and the brooding "Renegade" -- to the disarmingly catchy. On the standout track, "Mrs. Cold," Boe and Oye lace their beloved bossa nova rhythms with R&B lyrics aimed at an ice queen.
 
ARTIST: SHAFIQ HUSAYN
 
ALBUM: SHAFIQ EN' A-FREE-KA
 
Most hip-hop artists shout out major U.S. cities on their albums, but Shafiq Husayn covers far more extensive territory. "Senegal, Portugal, let's go! Mexico and Japan, Kosovo and Sudan, U.S. and Pakistan!," he sings on the song "U.N. Plan." As one-third of the progressive hip-hop outfit Sa-Ra and a collaborator on Erykah Badu's album "New Amerykah: Part One," Husayn has long cultivated an ear for the bold and experimental. On his latest release, "Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka," he continues the sonic innovation, culling from influences as diverse as Afrobeat and drum 'n' bass and bearing traces of Timbaland . When French lyrics and an accordion appear on the smooth "Le'star" and then dissolve into a cacophony of synths, it's not jarring at all -- it's just another trip into Husayn's wonderfully open musical mind.
 
ARTIST: GOSSIP
 
ALBUM: MUSIC FOR MEN
 
The androgynous face of Gossip drummer Hannah Blilie cops an intense stare on the cover of this electro-punk outfit's newest album, "Music for Men." With a quaffed confidence a la Morrissey, the photo personifies the cool poise that Gossip has maintained with its elegant glam-synth sounds and powerful beats, despite a raucous reputation. It may have been harder for the mainstream audience to swallow the image of Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto, whose onstage nudity and outsize persona have earned her respect among the gay and lesbian community. But on "Music for Men," the band's devotion to being itself has finally found it a place in the mainstream. The dark single "Heavy Cross" features ragged guitars accompanied by Ditto's sharp velvety voice, while the feminist-leaning "Love Long Distance" is supported by a swaggering bassline. On "Dimestore Diamond," Ditto employs all of her hard-edged sexiness and manages to charm with an appealingly intimidating allure.
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recommend
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related Articles
 
 
Hip-hop band the Roots branch out on nightly TV Reuters - Saturday, October 24
 
Michelle Obama's gripe: President's tennis game AP - Saturday, October 24
 
Carly Simon has "good time" revisiting old songs Reuters - Saturday, October 24
 
Billboard CD reviews: Air, Devendra Banhart Reuters - Saturday, October 24
 
Billboard singles reviews: Norah Jones, Timbaland Reuters - Saturday, October 24
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
News Search
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Top Stories
 
 
 
 
Europe swine flu spreads, 'millions' infected in US
Icahn resigns from Yahoo! board
US formally asks for Polanski extradition: Swiss authorities
Britain must wait to exit recession
Microsoft beats expectations to cap off big week
 
 
 
 More Top Stories »
 
 
 
ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Most Popular
 
 
 
 
Most Viewed
 
Most Recommended
 
 
 
 
Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over patents
 
US to give threatened polar bears vast 'critical habitat'
 
Eyes to the skies for the 'Galilean Nights'
 
Microsoft beats expectations to cap off big week
 
US new jobless claims up again
 
 
 More Most Viewed »
 
 
 
 
 
Boyzone singer Gately dies in Spain
 
 
 More Most Recommended »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
 
 
 
 
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
 
 
Stars and latest movies
 
 
Best travel destinations
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
More on Yahoo! News
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
 
Also on Yahoo
 
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
 
Site Highlights
 
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
 
 
 
 Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
  
   
 
 
    
   
 
Other News on Saturday, 24 October 2009 Iran to respond next week on nuclear deal, snubs deadline  
France approves broadside to digital pirates  
Czech Republic's Klaus warms to EU treaty compromise  
Nokia could seek up to $1 billion for iPhones: analysts  
Iran delays reply on U.N.-backed atom deal to next week  
Sarkozy's son joins business district board  
Twitter entries satirize works of literature  
Microsoft beats expectations to cap off big week  
Ukraine opposition leader launches comeback bid
| International
|  
Yemeni rebels report border clash with Saudi forces  
Kenyan British aristocrat freed  
Nokia says N900 sales delayed to November  
Vatican synod urges corrupt African leaders to quit
| International
|  
Microsoft launches Windows 7  
Iran fails to endorse U.N. nuclear deal  
Zimbabwe PM says unity government not at end
| International
|  
Nokia says N900 sales delayed to November  
No area sex offender suspects in Fla. girl's death  
Strong earthquake rocks eastern Indonesia  
Tips to have a flu-free party this holiday season  
Militant attacks in Pakistan so far in October  
Erratic typhoon weakens, keeps Philippines on edge  
SIP: Bartending trend calls for nice ice, baby  
Pipeline falls on train in India killing 2  
Cambodian leader offers Thaksin adviser's job  
NY teen's hidden camera catches adult locker thief  
Foreign minister: US base should stay on Okinawa  
Bill OK'd to increase blacks at Coast Guard school  
Pipeline falls on train in India killing 1  
'Distracted' US pilots fly plane off-course  
Rebels free Indian officer after Maoists released  
Health care issues: Do doctors back health revamp  
Dems scrambling for support for public health plan  
Amazon Adds 25 Points On Surprise Earning Hike  
McCain's Mother Hospitalized  
Public Option Allowing States To Opt Out Gains Ground In Congress  
Submarine Headed To U.S. Seized With 10 Tons Of Cocaine Off Guatemalan Coast  
Existing Home Sales Reach Highest Level In Two Years  
Victims Of Domestic Violence In Illinois Call For Reform Due To Large Number Of Unserved Protection Orders  
Federal Treasury Official Says Over $600 Million Of Credit For First-Time Home Buyers Are Suspicious  
'Distracted' Pilots Forget To Land Plane  
American Medics, Patients Hit Short Supply Of H1N1 Vaccine  
Jet Drops Bomb At Utah Air Force Base Before Emergency Landing  
Malaysia slashes spending in 2010 budget  
Japan post office should boost rural economy: minister  
General Motors pumps funds into South Korean unit  
Indians go on gold-buying blitz: industry body  
China Construction Bank 3Q net profit up 18.6 pct  
China formally launches Nasdaq-style board  
Pakistani stocks end flat; rupee firms  
US safety chief seeks China's help on drywall  
Taylor Swift first U.S. tour dates sell in minutes
| Entertainment
|  
Simpson-Wentz, Egglesfield out at 'Melrose Place'  
Lawmaker in Travolta mistrial mess blames rumor
| Entertainment
|  
Vertical Horizon reforms band after 5-year break  
World's biggest band adapts to changing times  
Strong 6.0-magnitude quake hits Indonesia  
Agents detail prescription record in Smith hearing  
Iran to respond to UN nuclear proposal next week  
New German coalition gets set for government  
Icahn resigns from  board  
Asian leaders press free trade at talks
| International
|  
Europe swine flu spreads, 'millions' infected in US  
Merkel seals coalition deal
| International
|  
Israel warns against U.N. council seeing Gaza report  
Facebook revamps home page feed  
New hope for EU treaty as Klaus accepts concession  
Icahn resigns from  board  
Iraqi cleric's aide warns of chaos if vote delayed  
Sarkozy slander trial ends after clash of titans  
More evacuations as Puerto Rico oil blaze burns on
| International
|  
Busy U.S. cell networks a bonanza for gear makers  
US formally asks for Polanski extradition: Swiss authorities  
Ukraine party selects favourite for presidential vote  
Sarkozy slander trial ends, verdict due January 28  
Chances growing Japan may sign off on U.S. base-media
| International
|  
Microsoft beats expectations to cap off big week  
Czech Republic's Klaus warms to EU treaty compromise  
Abbas calls Palestinian elections for January 24  
Iran ignores U.N. nuclear deadline  
Italy's intelligences services launch website  
NATO backs new Afghan strategy but no new troop offers  
New from NASA, an iPhone application  
Honduras crisis back to square one as talks fail
| International
|  
Sony looks for box office hit with "This Is It"  
Court document ties Young to Alaska corruption  
NYC mayor breaks spending record with $85.2M  
Pilots missed Twin Cities by 150 miles  
Busy U.S. cell networks a bonanza for gear makers
| Technology
|  
Hawaii regulators approve first US tuna farm  
US probes pilots who overshot airport by 150 miles  
Activists deride new ASEAN rights commission  
Former NYC top cop getting quick hearing of appeal  
3 bombs hit Pakistan in a day, killing 24  
Cabinet members make many Nevada stops for Reid  
Obama administration's foreign aid job left open  
Maine gay marriage supporters lead in funding  
Ala. city summons sex offenders on Halloween night  
Japan to say U.S. relevant to Asia grouping idea  
Japan govt coalition partner rejects US base proposal  
US freezes assets of N.Korean bank  
Three men killed, one woman wounded in Thai south  
Cambodia and Thailand clash at summit over Thaksin  
Japan FM: US base should stay on Okinawa  
Mom gives birth on board airplane over Malaysia  
Power unit shut at S.Korea nuclear plant  
WTO to rule on China-EU metal fasteners dispute  
China-Biotics CFO resigns to purse other interests  
Justin Timberlake gets stay away order against woman
| Entertainment
|  
Hip-hop band the Roots branch out on nightly TV
| Entertainment
|  
Rapper Kanye West cleared in airport scuffle
| Entertainment
|  
Sony looks for box office hit with This Is It
| Entertainment
|  
Hip-hop band the Roots branch out on nightly TV  
Billboard singles reviews: Norah Jones, Timbaland
| Entertainment
|  
Michelle Obama's gripe: President's tennis game  
Carly Simon has "good time" revisiting old songs  
Billboard CD reviews: Air, Devendra Banhart
| Entertainment
|  
Billboard CD reviews: Air, Devendra Banhart  
Billboard singles reviews: Norah Jones, Timbaland  
Justin Timberlake gets stay away order against woman  
CORRECTED: Rapper Kanye West cleared in airport scuffle  
Tiff over White House camera crew and Fox  
Warhol portrait of Michael Jackson up for auction  
Investigator: Smith had multiple sources for drugs  
Judge, family members killed in Tehran  
New German govt to cut taxes  
US-TECH Summary  
Pakistan troops retake Taliban stronghold in Waziristan
| International
|  
Abbas insists on January date for Palestinian vote
| International
|  
Lenovo expects big PC sales boost from Windows 7  
Taliban threat to scupper Afghan run-off vote  
Indonesia lifts tsunami alert after powerful quake
| International
|  
Poll boost for British far-right after TV first  
Palestinian PM sees state structure ready by 2011  
Taliban threaten Afghan run-off vote
| International
|  
Iran hardline lawmakers carp nuclear fuel deal
| International
|  
Robert Mugabe refuses to budge over cabinet boycott
| International
|  
Australia PM raises Rio case with China
| International
|  
Obama: Time for big banks to help small businesses  
Bank failures hit 106 for year; many more are weak  
NJ priest slain in church rectory is mourned  
LA officials to unveil $437M police headquarters  
Army captures Pakistani Taliban leader's hometown  
US mulls direct talks as NKorea envoy visits  
Malaysia baby born on plane to go home healthy  
Canada hits out at EU over visa spat  
Asian nations look to 'lead world'  
Japan calls on India to make climate commitment  
SKorea: Summit should help resolve nuclear dispute  
Pakistan army takes Taliban chief's hometown: sources  
Sri Lanka faces fuel shortage in oil union protest  
Taliban call for Afghans to boycott runoff poll  
Malaysian native leader detained over anti-logging  
Australians kick off world climate change protest  
Lenovo expects big PC sales boost from Windows 7
| Technology
|  
ASEAN to study free trade pact: officials  
Pakistani C.Bank buys 110.8 bln rupees of govt paper  
Japanese firms to develop small nuclear reactors  
Teen Girl With No Memory Seeks Identity In New York City  
U.S. Has Short Supply Of H1N1 Vaccine  
Mexican Cartel Boss Pleads Guilty In U.S. Court  
U.S. Air Strike Targets Militants In Pakistan  
Environmental Group Says Half Of America's Rivers, Lakes Considered Too Polluted With Toxins For Swimming  
U.S. Markets End Friday With Loss After Week Of Gains  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights