I’m not gonna lie: I was super excited for this week’s latest releases. Not because I love The Fray (though I do), and not because Country’s hottest star was out again (though he is), but because Melinda Doolittle was finally making her mark on the music industry.

Although, the other two weren’t too shabby either…

The Fray- The Fray

It’s been four long years since the Fray’s first release, How to Save a Life. But if you’re a fan of The Fray, then you would probably say their new self-titled album is worth the wait. The Fray is one of those bands with a distinct sound. Many of their songs may sound the same, with their slow starts and instrumental buildups, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you like them, of course. After one listen-through of The Fray’s new album, I was already getting the songs stuck in my head. They’re not extremely complex tracks, but they’re catchy and easy to pick up. It’s also the perfect CD for when you’re going through a break-up; even “Happiness” is enough to depress you: “Happiness damn near destroys you/breaks your faith to pieces on the floor.” OK, then. But that’s The Fray for you and, frankly, that’s why I like them.

Dierks Bentley- Feel That Fire

Even if you’re not a fan of country music, I’m pretty sure it’s hard to resist Dierks Bentley. First of all, he’s hot. And second of all, his songs are extremely fun; more of a pop-ish type of country with a bit of Southern rock thrown in. I was a bit nervous since I found Feel That Fire‘s first single and title track to be super cheesy and typical country. But the rest of the album is actually much better than the single. One of the album’s highlights is “Beautiful World,” a duet with Patty Griffin. Also, “Pray” reminds me of the slower, reflective Bentley I’ve come to love: “Just because it didn’t last/Doesn’t mean that we were wrong/We both fell in love so fast/And now it’s gone.” To be honest, it would be extremely difficult for Dierks to beat his Long Trip Alone, on which every single track was music to my ears. So, while I enjoy Feel That Fire, I’d still choose his older stuff first.

Melinda Doolittle- Coming Back to You

I currently have American Idol fever, so when I heard Melinda Doolittle was coming out with her first album this week, I knew I had to listen. It was quite apparent what an amazing singer she was on the show two years ago, but I always thought she didn’t quite fit the Idol persona and, though she didn’t win, I figured she would still make it eventually. Melinda definitely does not disappoint with her first studio album, Coming Back to You and her Idol fans should be quite happy with the finished product. Each track on the album is a cover and, though I wish Melinda would sing her own music, the covers on her album aren’t obvious covers. In fact, I’ve never heard of most of them and the ones I have heard, I actually think I prefer Melinda’s versions. I was most pleasantly surprised by her cover of Faith Hill’s “If I’m Not in Love,” which she very much made her own while still staying true to Faith’s version. Thank God Melinda didn’t win American Idol because her contract never would have allowed her to make this album.

All images are from Amazon.com