Do you ever listen to music that’s completely ridiculous? (Editor’s Note: Does Miley count?) To the point that you start feeling ridiculous and maybe even hide the fact that you listen to other people? (Editor’s Note: Miley definitely counts.) Or just sorta wonder what’s going on in the artist’s head?

OK, so clearly I can’t hide what I’ve been listening to this week – and I’ve already admitted previously to liking Demi Lovato – but that doesn’t mean this week’s new releases didn’t have me scratching my head a bit. And while that’s actually kind of what I’ve come to expect from Weezer and Say Anything, I was a little thrown by my homegirl, Carrie Underwood. Don’t get me wrong, she makes some amusing music, but have you ever stopped to listen to the lyrics?

Why does Carrie Underwood hang out with so many crappy men? Girlfriend needs some help!

Carrie Underwood- Play On

I am a shameless Carrie Underwood fan. Ever since the day she auditioned for American Idol (no lie), I knew she was going to make it big. And I was partially right; Carrie has made it huge. And she’s one of those girls you kind of just have to like. Seriously, do you really know anyone who has any hatred for Carrie Underwood? Her albums are non-stop good and full of hits. I first heard “Cowboy Casanova,” the first single from her new album, Play On, and I thought to myself, “Yes! Carrie Underwood is back again!” Carrie just has this sweet-girl-turned-angry kind of attitude and “Cowboy Casanova” displays that once again: “You better take it from me, that boy is like a disease/You’re running, you’re trying, you’re trying to hide/And you’re wondering why you can’t get free/He’s like a curse, he’s like a drug/You get addicted to his love.” Even though we may not know a whole lot of cowboys in our lives, we certainly know a lot of boys who can be described as “diseases.”

In a similar fashion is “Songs Like This,” with lyrics, “And if it wasn’t for guys like you/There wouldn’t be songs like this/And if you hadn’t gone and done me wrong/I wouldn’t go off like this.” And “Undo It” also reminds us a bit of “Before You Cheat” with another horrible guy: “You stole my happy/You made me cry/You took the lonely and took me for a ride/And I wanna undo it/You had my heart now I want it back/I started to see everything you lack/Boy you blew it/You put me through it/I wanna undo it.” Anyone else noticing a pattern here? Carrie’s got some seriously bad taste in guys. Who are all these jerks who have done Carrie Underwood so wrong?

We love you, Carrie; it’s time to find a man who will treat you right!
…But keep making amazing music while you’re at it.

Weezer- Raditude

From the very start of the album, you know Weezer is back in all their ridiculous glory. The first song, “Get Me Some,” starts off with “Right now everything sucks.” OK, so first of all, we highly doubt everything sucks for Weezer. And second of all, we’re pretty sure they’re getting plenty and don’t have much of a reason to be so unhappy. And after listening to this album, how could anybody be down?

I’m absolutely loving  “The Girl Got Hot,” which is a song about a girl who got hot after being nothing special in junior high. I also really like “The Prettiest Girl in the Whole Wide World” because it sounds a lot like the Weezer of the past… and because I want a guy to sing it to me: “And I got the prettiest girl in the whole wide world/And nobody can take her from me/And in the evening when she goes out walking alone/I wait at home patiently.” But honestly, the best song of the whole album is “Can’t Stop Partying” because, really? How amazing is that title? Oh, and did I mention Lil’ Wayne makes an appearance in the song. YES, LIL’ WAYNE. Holy awesome. And check out the lyrics: “Oh, I can’t stop partying, partying/I can’t stop, partying, partying/I gotta have the cars, I gotta have the jewels/And if you was me, honey, you would do it too/Screw rehab I love my addiction/No sleep no sleep I am always on a mission“

This might have to be our new club anthem. Bravo, Weezer, bravo.

Say Anything- Say Anything

I have never told anyone this, but I’ve been a fan of Say Anything in for awhile now. They definitely don’t sing the kind of music I typically listen to – it’s pretty angry, mean and snippy – but there’s just something about it that I totally dig. Just don’t tell my friends.  A few years ago, I listened to their song “Admit It!” non-stop for weeks and actually spent time analyzing the lyrics. (Don’t judge.) This album, Say Anything, is certainly no different. There may be no “Admit It!” on the album, but I’m certainly loving the lyrics just the same.

How about “Mara and Me,” which starts off with, “There are babies with guns beheading their friends/In shopping malls around the world/Yes somehow the Kings of Leon still find times to write about girls/I don’t suck much less/And if I claim revolutionary or I give to charity/They’ll all know it’s a plea for someone like me/Disgusted with lies and cut down by their own beatnik poetry.” See? Mean, snippy…. yet kinda awesome all at the same time. They’re angry (as proven by the song “Hate Everyone”) but everyone needs a little angry music now and then. If you’re jonesing for something a little rougher around the edges, I think this might be the perfect album for you.

This week’s new releases left me pleasantly surprised. From an album by an artist I had never heard of, to one I thought I knew very well, to one I resisted listening to for oh so long. Sometimes you need to open up a bit and take a few risks in order to find joy, and that goes for music, too.

Not sure where to start? Well, you could just choose a new artist or album based on how cool their name is. I’ve been doing it forever and it hasn’t failed me yet. Or you could listen to your friends when they rave about a band; turns out, they know what they’re talkin’ about.

Patrick Wolf- Bachelor

I’ll admit this week was a rough week when it comes to new releases. I hadn’t heard of many of the bands with new albums, nor was I overly interested in many of them. So I randomly decided that Patrick Wolf sounded like a super cool name and could be an interesting artist. I also liked the name of his album, Bachelor. Plus, I learned that Wolf was once in a Burberry ad. I know, so scientific. But, hey, I ended up liking this little British boy. He sounds a bit crazy, a bit techno, and kind of like David Bowie; I almost wanted to see him running through a labyrinth.

The album: good stuff. I really enjoyed “Damaris,” which is a really great build-up song and the lyrics are lovely: “My goddamned Damaris/Killed with last kiss/Goddamned Damaris/I loved you.” So, I figured I should learn who Damaris is. Interestingly she’s a woman mentioned in the New Testament and nobody’s really certain why her name was recorded, except that she may have been of high social standing. Hmmm. It’s also a lingerie brand, so who knows about that. I love the slow smoothness of “Thickets,” which reminded me a bit of Star. And “Vulture,” which is set to be the album’s second single is also a lot of fun in a super techno, strange way. I love strange men. I love Patrick Wolf.

George Strait- Twang

I generally enjoy me some George Strait. He’s definitely not my most favorite country singer, but I think he’s a lot of fun. So when I heard he had a new album, I obviously needed to listen to Twang. Aaaand…I have sort of mixed feelings about it. I’m definitely not sitting over here going crazy, but there are songs I would absolutely put on repeat. “Living For the Night” is a really beautiful song and George hits every note just right. I couldn’t decide if “The Breath You Take” is extremely cheesy or really sweet. I hate songs about boys playing baseball, but once the song hit the chorus, I almost cried a little. I may also be PMSing, but still, the tears were there.

At the same time, some of the songs did seem very cliche country, like “Hot Grease and Zydeco” and “I Gotta Get to You.” And the title track, which I totally expected to love based on that fact alone, well, it just didn’t really do much for me. Surprisingly, it was George’s slower, less fun songs that I like the best. Sniff, maybe he’s just growing up.

Passion Pit- Manners

Ughh, so you know when you keep hearing about a band so much that you don’t even want to listen to them? That’s how I felt about Passion Pit. Enough was enough. Shut up. At first I thought I was just hearing about them because they’re local. But then people from outside of Boston started talking about them. So, I finally listened. Better late then never right? Seriously. Because I. am. instantly obsessed.

Why, oh why did I take so long to listen to Passion Pit? I never like albums upon first listens, especially from bands I’m not familiar with, but this was true love upon listen #1. I guess if I had to compare them to anyone, it would probably have to be MGMT, but they’re also pretty different. They do have that fun techno-y, electronic sound, though. “The Reeling” is the first single from Manners, so I gave it a listen first. It started off kind of strangely, but it wasn’t long before I totally got into the groove. There are what sound like kids singing in the background. A little bit strange, but it just worked so well. I love that “Little Secrets” starts off sounding like a video game. And I love how ridiculously high lead singer, Michael Angelakos’s voice is, especially in “Sleepyhead.” The bottom line is that I love Passion Pit and I will no longer ignore people when they tell me to listen to a band. But it’s better late than never for this one. That is for sure.

This week was a good, if not totally random, week for music. I mean, who groups Daughtry, Jack White’s the Dead Weather, and the soundtrack to 500 Days of Summer in one category? I do. And I love them all.

Though, in totally different ways.

Chris Daughtry I love in a good-boy rocker kind of way. Jack White I love in a creepy weirdo fascination kind of way. And the 500 Days of Summer I love in a Zooey Deschanel kind of way. I love music in lots of different ways and this week is a prime example of how much my love can vary.

Daughtry – Leave This Town

Chris Daughtry is one of those musicians people of all ages love. I desperately wanted him to win American Idol. So did my mom. But alas, he didn’t. And it’s probably a good thing, because he got the freedom to do whatever he wanted. And now? Many people forget was even on American Idol. Which I think is a sign of a super successful American Idol contestant.

His first album, with his band Daughtry, was a huge hit, so I was totally excited for their second album, Leave This Town. And so far, I’m pretty thrilled with it. I especially love, “Every Time You Turn Around,” with its jungle-like sounds in the background (Hey, I’m a sucker for jungle animals) and “whoo hoos” throughout the song. Lots of the lyrics on the album are super cheesy, which leaves Daughtry in the position of being a rock band, without really being hardcore. I can see a lot of music critics taking issue with this; but I have to respect Daughtry for it. I always love a super nice rocker. I’m pretty sure the slower ballad, “Life After You” is going to be a huge hit because it has a little bit of that “Home” feel to it. And check out the lyrics: “All that I’m after is a lifetime of laughter/As long as I’m laughing with you.” Yes, it’s all cheese, but who doesn’t love cheese? I hope Daughtry sticks around a long time and I know I’ll be listening to their new album for quite a while. And when I’m dealing with an awful break up. This music seems about right for that.

The Dead Weather – Horehound

OK, so I’m a really big White Stripes fan. People are usually really surprised when I tell them this. There’s nothing about me that makes me look like I would be a Jack White lover, but I’m totally into him. And his completely strange relationship with Meg too. He’s just so weird, I can’t help it. Call it just a fascination; I don’t mind, but I do know the White Stripes can sing like whoa and I’ll give a little listen to anything Jack White decides to do. So, cut to me being super excited that he started a new band and just released a new album. The band is The Dead Weather and the album is Horehound. And I like. A lot.

Jack ditches his guitar and goes with the drums instead. He is joined by The Kills’ Alison Mosshart who I think compliments Jack’s voice perfectly. I love “Treat Me Like Your Mother,” probably because it really does sound like the White Stripes would sing. The back and forth between White and Mosshart is awesome and I’ve probably listened to this song about 50 times and am pretty sure I’ll never get tired of it. “Come on look me in the eye/You wanna try to tell a lie/I’ll bet you can’t and you know why/I’m just like your mother.” Every time the song ends, I find myself going, “Whoo, I need more. I’m also totally into the bluesy feel of “Will There Be Enough Water” and the sort of Western feel in “Rocking Horse.” My overall theory is that Jack White can do whatever he wants and I’ll still love him. Probably the creepier the better.

Various Artists – 500 Days of Summer Soundtrack

I usually don’t get very excited about soundtracks. They generally don’t do anything for me, unless it’s a movie I really, really love with a soundtrack that has my favorite artists on it. This lovely combination just doesn’t happen all that often, but when I heard 500 Days of Summer was starring Zooey Deschanel, I immediately thought, “I wonder what the soundtrack will be like!” And you know, it really is good, even if it does only include one song by Zooey’s band She & Him.

I don’t really know too much what the movie is about, but I feel like the soundtrack has given me a really good idea of the general feel of the plot, which I think is a sign of a good soundtrack. I never realized how much I enjoyed The Smiths until I heard them singing “There is a Light That Never Goes Out.” I immediately loved it and wondered why I don’t listen to them more. Of course, I loved She & Him’s version of “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want,” but I also quite enjoyed The Smiths’ as well. I have to admit I’m not the biggest fan of Regina Spektor (I know. But her voice has always been a bit grating to me), but I actually kind of enjoyed her here. Both of her songs on the soundtrack, “Us” and “Hero” felt especially summery and perfect for what I presume the movie is about.

In fact, that’s what I liked most about the whole album – it’s so summery. From The Black Lips “Bad Kids” to Hall and Oates’ “You Make My Dreams Come True to Feist’s “Mushaboom” to Mumm-Ra’s “She’s Got You High,” the whole album just screamed fun and summer to me. And how could I not love that? Oh, and bonus (as if you needed more): France’s own Carla Bruni has a light and airy track on there too. Absolutely amazing. Just like 500 days of summer would be.

Do you ever feel like you’ve heard so much about an artist that you don’t even bother to listen to them? Maybe it’s just that I like to discover music on my own, but if someone over-talks a band or a musician, I sometimes feel like I know them and don’t take the time to listen to them. This week I took the time to listen to a musician I’ve been hearing about for years: Pete Yorn. And I gotta say, I finally know what all the talkin’ was about. I also discovered a totally new artist(s), God Help the Girl, and went back to an old favorite who performed some of his classics live, Michael Buble.

God Help the Girl – God Help the Girl

If you’ve never heard of God Help the Girl, it’s because they haven’t been around very long. You might actually kind of know them better as Belle and Sebastian. I’ve always had mixed feelings toward Belle and Sebastian, so when I heard the male lead singer, Stuart Murdoch, released God Help the Girl, I was less than psyched. Then I heard it was actually the soundtrack to a yet to be produced musical film and I was even less excited. But I gave it a listen anyway and was super pleasantly surprised.

It’s actually quite awesome. The album pulls together several female vocalists, none of whom I’ve heard of, but all of who sound a bit like Zooey Deschanel. The title track is totally fabulous about a completely independent single girl who is a bit ashamed by how she’s getting pulled in by a guy: “There is no way I’m looking for a boyfriend/There is no way I’m looking for a scene…The dawn will touch me in a way a boy could never touch/Their promise never meant so much to me.” See? Independent girl. But then, “I sit for hours just waiting for his phone call/I’ll leave the chocolate hidden in the fridge/I’ll play his message/Analyze his intonation/Please stop me there, I’m even boring myself.” But in the end “If he gave me a sign/I’d think about it for a week/I’d build it up/And then I’d let him down.” Typical girl and something we can all relate to. Other standout songs on the album include “Perfection as a Hipster,” “Come Monday Night,” “Funny Little Frog,” and “I Just Want Your Jeans.” OK, all of them really. I would totally see the God Help the Girl musical movie if it ever comes out. Please, let it come out!

Pete Yorn – Back and Forth

I’ve been hearing about Pete Yorn for years now. Seriously, years. I saw the name all the time, but for some reason never listened to him. It got to the point where people would mention Pete Yorn and I’d be all “Oh yeah, Pete Yorn, of course.” I felt like I knew him, but I didn’t at all. Until now. Actually, he started following me on Twitter and posted a few of his songs and I took the time to listen. And then got excited for Back and Forth to come out. And I’m already a fan of it.

There are a few songs I’m largely “meh” about, but for the most part I’m totally into the album. And some of the lyrics are totally genius. In “Paradise Cove” Yorn sings, “I got what I wanted but it wasn’t enough…When you talk, it makes me cringe/You want so bad to have meaning/But you’re empty and draining.” But “Social Development Dance” has the best lyrics of all; maybe of any album ever. Pete sings, “I tried to find out what had happened to you/I Googled you in quotes/Got no results.” How awesome is that? The song is actually quite sad and the subject was Googling the girl to find out how she had died….but genius, nevertheless. My other favorite tracks include “Close,” “Shotgun,” and “Thinking of You.” And it’s the kind of album where the more I listen to it, the more I like it. I’m glad I finally took the time to listen to Pete Yorn. Thanks for following me on Twitter; ah, the power of social media!

Michael Buble – Meets Madison Square Garden

If you were to ask me for a list of my all-time favorite people (I have a lot of them), it wouldn’t take me very long to get down to Michael Buble. I think he’s one of the greatest, and most under-rated, singers of our time. Maybe it’s because he’s so handsome or maybe it’s because he does a lot of covers, but I just don’t understand why this guy doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Yes, he sings the songs of greats like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennet, but you know what? He does it in his own way and is in some ways better than the originals. But I don’t think he’s even trying to compete with them; he’s just bringing a different angle to them and attempting to get more people into these classics.

When I heard Michael Buble was coming out with a new album, I got really, really excited.  I wasn’t too pumped for a live album, but when I listened to Michael Buble Meets Madison Square Garden, I was actually happy for this live album. And I might even say he sings the best I’ve heard him on it. He’s a total showman and does an awesome job at talking to the audience, adding interludes into his song, and simply making all of his shows fun. And this album has all my favorites on it like “I’ve Got the World on a String,” “Lost,” “Everything,” and, of course, “Home.” He does fun things like beat boxing in the middle of “Call Me Irresponsible” and joking around with the audience. For the full effect of Michael Buble’s new album, I highly recommend picking up the DVD too. Because trust me, he’s not bad to look at.

You know those artists that just seem to disappear all of the sudden? One minute they’re in your life (and in your head) and the next, you don’t really know where they are and you spend your days wondering if they took some office job somewhere.

This week’s new releases are all just like that. Once upon a time, I listened to these artists, but it’s been a while. And I was all “Oh my God, you’re still around?” when I heard they had new albums. I can’t even recall the last time I thought about Tori Amos, I happy pushed Eminem from my mind long ago, and it had been a couple years since I really enjoyed Kate Voegele. And this week, they’re all back!

Tori Amos- Abnormally Attracted to Sin

I had forgotten about Tori Amos for a bit. Never really a huge fan, I always thought she had a pretty voice, but I never paid much attention to her. And I’m actually really enjoying Abnormally Attracted to Sin. It’s typical Tori – not the kind of music that’s going to get you all revved up, but it’s great to have playing while you’re working or just need to unwind. “Curtain Call” is one of my favorites from the album and I’m really feeling the oh-so-true lyrics, “By the time you’re 25/They will say ‘you’ve gone and blown it’/By the time you’re 35 I must confide/You will have blown them all/Right on cue just act surprised/When they invite you to take/Your curtain call.”

I’m also loving “Strong Black Vine” and its strings accompaniment, along with Tori’s especially powerful voice here. “Fire to the Plain” is one of the most energetic tracks on the album (though that’s not really saying much) and another good one. The album as a whole sounds a bit like a theater production, but I think that’s what most have come to expect from Tori and we love the fact that she actually makes it sound enjoyable.

Eminem- Relapse

So, he’s back and drug-free (I guess), but I already want him to go away again. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not an Eminem hater and I actual enjoy a lot of stuff from his past, like “Stan.” And I was excited for him to come back with Relapse, especially since I was enjoying “Crack a Bottle” with Dr. Dre and 50 Cent. But this album is a mess. Maybe I’m just getting too old for him, but I found myself continuously thinking, “Oh my God, how are the children going to be influenced??” while listening. Drugs! Abusing women! Homophobia! What are we teaching our kids? And the thing is, I know Eminem is trying to be funny and I can even laugh at lots of it. But I do worry about those with less developed minds. Do people actually use Eminem as a role model?

I do think a lot of the songs are actually good; many of them are danceable and have amazing beats. I want oh so badly to like them, but I just really don’t. I almost feel sorry for him and the fact that he’s becoming one big self-parody. In “Medicine Ball” he continuously says, “I guess it’s time for you to hate me again.” Yup, I guess so. Looks like Eminem knows full well it’s better to be hated than not thought about at all.

Kate Voegele- A Fine Mess

A couple years ago I fell in love with Kate Voegele’s “Only Fooling Myself” and then pretty much forgot about her, except when that song would randomly come up in my iTunes.  So when I heard she was coming out with a new album, A Fine Mess, I was pretty thrilled. My conclusion? I’m really enjoying Kate’s new album, but it’s certainly not groundbreaking and I don’t really see it catapulting her into fame. It’s the kind of album it takes a few listens to to really get into, and even then you’re not all crazy excited about it. I think she has the voice, but that the songs she’s singing just aren’t showcasing it enough. And the song titles are all totally blah and predictable. I’m mostly a fan of “99 Times” and can see it becoming a pop single, but I’m not exactly sure this is who Kate wants to be. “Manhattan From the Sky” does the best job of letting Kate show off her voice and “Who You Are Without Me” almost reminds me of Martinia McBride. I think Kate is still working on finding herself and I really hope she does.

One of the most frustrating things is when one of my favorite artists or bands takes absolutely forever to release a new album. Maybe I’m impatient or maybe I just listen to music so often that I’m constantly wanting more from my favorites. But is there ever anything better than listening to a brand new fabulous album over and over?

Yes, the anticipation can be great, but there gets to be a point where I’m done anticipating and want to start listening. Here are 3 artists that I’m hoping to see albums from in the very near future. I don’t know how much longer I can wait before their old albums start skipping from me playing them over and over. And over. Oh, they’re digitally downloaded? Well, I still don’t think I can wait much longer.

Ryan Adams

Ryan Adams is basically a music-making machine. Some people get annoyed because it seems like he writes songs and makes albums non-stop. He comes out with at least a couple every year. I don’t get annoyed; I love every moment of it and buy his every album. But see, his last album that he did with the Cardinals, Cardinology, wasn’t so fabulous. Don’t get me wrong, I still bought it and listened to it over and over again like I do with all his albums, but the songs on it didn’t move me like they usually do. So normally I’d think, “Eh, it’s OK, he’ll come out with a new album in a couple months anyway.” But now? Now I’m scared that he won’t.

He recently claimed that he’s done touring and while Ryan is known for his fickleness and often goes back on what he’s said, it’s been a few months now and he’s standing by his claim. So maybe he’s just done touring for a while and wants to focus more on creating new music? I wish. Instead it seems as if he’s moving away from music and more into writing poetry. And then last week he went and got married, which means he’ll likely have even less time for music making. The only bright side is that he married Mandy Moore who is not only one of my favorite people in the world, but is also an amazing musician herself. Let’s hope she encourages Ryan to keep up with his music. Or that they at least create some beautiful duets.

Bon Iver

Bon Iver seriously confuses me. Or teases me. Maybe a little bit of both. I mean, they come out with a 6-song LP at the beginning of 2008, which I absolutely fell in love with. Like, hard. So, doesn’t an LP mean a full-length album would be out soon or something? So I waited and waited. And then in early 2009 I hear Bon Iver is coming out with something new. Hooray! But wait, it’s only a 4-song EP (What’s the difference between an LP and an EP anyway??). Sure, the 4-song EP, Blood Bank, excited me beyond belief and I listened to it at least 200 times the first day it came out. But now I’m dying for more – like, I don’t know, a full-length album?! And not an album that just replays everything on the EP and LP. I want new stuff. Justin Vernon, you and Bon Iver are awesome and if you need to, please go lock yourself in a cabin deep in the woods of Wisconsin again (that’s what he did while writing the songs for For Emma, Forever Ago), and don’t come out until you can give me a full-length album. I mean it.

Enrique Iglesias

Don’t laugh at me. I know I’m not the only one who is absolutely obsessed with Enrique Iglesias. I’ve grown up with his music, so I can’t help but love it (though I still stand by the fact that Ricky Martin is the hotter of the two). The thing about Enrique is that his music is always good…year after year. His last album, Insomniac, was different than anything he’d previously done, but was still awesome. He took songs that had the potential to be the cheesiest of cheesy, “Ping Pong Song” and “Don’t Turn Off the Lights,” and made them songs I wanted to listen to over and over. And I was only a little bit ashamed when my friend noticed my #1 most-played song on iTunes happened to be Enrique’s “On Top of You.” Oops. My point is, Enrique has me constantly anticipating what he’s going to do next and I always know I’m going to love it. So he should just put down his pen and his studio-recording microphone now and release a new album; I’m sure it’s amazing as is.

I was going to include Rascal Flatts on my list, but guess what? I just found out they’re coming out with a new album in a couple weeks. So, you’ll be hearing about them again on Let it Rock very soon. Yay for that!

What artists are you eagerly anticipating new albums from?

[Images courtest of Rollogrady.com, Poorpony.com, Starpulse.com]

All the musicians featured in this week’s Let it Rock have been on the music scene for quite a while. They’re not newcomers in the least bit, which means their fans are sure to have some strong opinions about their newest albums. (Duh, don’t music lovers always have strong opinions about their favorites?) It’s also the chance for the artists to get some new fans that might have never heard them. You know, those youngsters.

But the most important thing is….Kelly Clarkson is back!! OMFG! Wahooo!

And also her American Idol co-star Taylor Hicks. But I didn’t review his new album this week because, this week, Kelly is the only American Idol who matters.

Kelly Clarkson- All I Ever Wanted

I was a pretty big fan of Kelly Clarkson from the start. I loved her on American Idol and was thrilled that she separated herself from the show and became a complete star in her own right. I was pretty disappointed when I heard how awful her album was last year and didn’t really fall in love with the first single “My Life Would Suck Without You” from her new album, All I Ever Wanted. I just wasn’t feeling it and wasn’t too psyched for the album as a whole. But then I listened to the rest of it and realized I couldn’t stop listening. It is amazingly awesome! The album is the perfect mix of slow “Because of You” type ballads and fun “Since U Been Gone” pop songs. While she’s still distinctly Kelly, I heard traces of Leona Lewis in “Already Gone” and even Carrie Underwood in “Ready” and “All I Ever Wanted,” showing that Americans truly know what they want in an idol: a huge vocal range and lots of fun. Katy Perry and American Idol judge Kara Dioguardi teamed up to write “I Do Not Hook Up,” which isn’t my favorite song on the album, but I can definitely see the younger kids singing along. “I Want You” brings a bit of a Duffy’s bouncy touch to the album and shows Kelly’s wide range of versatility. Kelly is most definitely back on her game and I’m pretty sure this album is going to be huge.

Chris Cornell- Scream

I’ve heard the name Chris Cornell being thrown around quite a bit over the years, but have never taken the time to listen to him. So while I can’t compare his new album, Scream, to his previous works, I can say I’m completely in love with it. But in looking at other reviews, I see that his older fans aren’t thrilled with this new album, which made me wonder how I would feel about the old Chris. When I learned he used to be the frontman for Soundgarden (seriously, I don’t know where I’ve been that I didn’t know this), I saw how different Scream sounds from Chris’s Soundgarden days. I enjoy the album because each song blends into the next perfectly and Cornell’s voice is still the same as it’s always been. Scream is the ideal album to listen to while you’re doing absolutely anything. The lyrics aren’t anything to write home about and I probably wouldn’t just sit and listen to the album, but I think having it on in the background while I worked, actually made me more productive. The album was also produced by Timbaland, which makes it exponentially cooler in my book. My favorite tracks on the new album are “Never Far Away” and the title track “Scream.” So I think the album is a go, but check back with me in a few weeks after I start listening to Chris Cornell’s other stuff and find I prefer that. In any event, Scream helped Cornell get at least one new fan: me.

New Found Glory- Not Without a Fight

While I used to be a punk fan back in my junior high and high school days, I think those times have mostly passed. So it took me a lot to get into New Found Glory’s new album, Not Without a Fight. They definitely sound more grown up than many of the other punk groups, which makes sense since they are in fact older. I think my problem with New Found Glory is that I find myself having to listen to their albums over and over before I can tell one song from another. On the same token, I like that they never succumb to the pop-like, cheesy lyrics some punk bands are into. In a way, you could say New Found Glory absolutely refuses to “sell out,” which I truly respect. I enjoy “I’ll Never Love Again” because it sets itself apart from the other songs with a bit of “yelling” that really fits in. “Don’t Let Her Pull You Down” is another standout for me with its lyrics, “It’s time that I rain on your parade/Watch as all your hopes explode/To landmines/You ask for help but people turn away.” You’re sure to like “Tangled Up,” once you hear that it features vocals from Paramore’s Haley Williams, but the problem is her part is so subtle, you can barely hear her. While I’ll probably never be a huge New Found Glory fan, I definitely understand why their fans are so loyal and why with their sixth studio album, they’re still going strong.

If you pay attention to music news at all, then I’m pretty sure you’ve got one thing on your mind: U2. Of course, U2’s new album is what everyone and their brother is talking about this week and for good reason.

But don’t let the boys from back in the day completely overshadow the rest of the fabulous music being released this week. If you miss out on Neko Case’s new album, you’re likely going to regret it. And give newcomer Molly Jenson a listen to as well. While new releases from the classic groups are always super exciting, there’s a lot of fabulous new music out there.

U2- No Line on the Horizon

It’s U2’s 11th album and because 11 is my lucky number, I had to review it. Well OK, and because it’s U2 and they haven’t had an album in 5 years. But judging from the tracks on No Line on the Horizon, it was worth the wait; and most long-time U2 fans should be pretty happy with how it turned out. I admit I’m not the hugest U2 fan; I’ve always enjoyed their music, but haven’t been waiting too anxiously to hear their new stuff. So I’m actually kind of surprised that I have been enjoying it as much as I have. I love that Bono’s voice is always so familiar even when he’s singing in different styles, like he seems to do on this album. In one of my favorite songs, “Breathe,” the band sounds a bit more rock ‘n’ roll-y than usual and the lyrics are amazing: “We are people borne of sound/The songs are in our eyes…Sing your heart out, sing my heart out/I’ve found grace inside a sound.” Chances are, you’ll know what he’s talking about and will find grace inside this album. I’m also enjoying the somewhat quieter “White as Snow” and the fun pop-ish “Stand Up Comedy.” As Bono and the boys sing in “Unknown Caller,” “Shout for joy if you get the chance.” Most of us will be shouting for joy that U2 is finally back. And better than ever!

Neko Case- Middle Cyclone

I’ve heard so, so much about Neko Case but it took me a long while to pay her a listen (in fact, I’m ashamed to admit that for a while, I just assumed Neko was a man). But now I’m incredibly happy I jumpd on the Neko Case bandwagon. Her newest album, Middle Cyclone, is enough to make me want to listen to all the rest. One of my favorite tracks on the album is the somewhat short “The Next Time You Say Forever” because it’s fun to hear such a seemingly sweet singer sing lyrics like: “The next time you say forever/I will punch you in your face/Just because you don’t believe it/Doesn’t mean I didn’t mean it.” Other standouts on the album include “Magpie to the Morning” and “I’m an Animal,” but honestly, the more I listen to the album, the more I fall in love with each song. At first I thought I had a bad copy of the album as my last song just sounded like crickets. 30 minutes of crickets chirping, in fact. But after I did some research, I discovered this was exactly how she meant the album to end. So maybe Neko is a little bit random, but I can handle that. Her voice is incredibly beautiful and her lyrics are powerful enough that she can end her album with crickets if she desires. I’m off to listen to Neko’s previous albums in hopes that I enjoy them half as much as Middle Cyclone.

Molly Jenson- Maybe Tomorrow

Molly Jenson is a quiet, effortless singer. You know the kind. Her voice is incredibly easy to listen to. Maybe Tomorrow was my first time listening to Molly and I can see why Greg Laswell was so eager to work with her. I find the album’s first single to be a little bit boring and generic; but I’m a big fan of the title track. It really showcases her voice, which actually reminds me a bit of Tristan Prettyman, who also sings about similar topics of love and heartbreak. The last song on the album, “Wait For You Here” is filled with a quiet emotion: “I won’t blame you if you can’t find your way/ I will wait for you here/If you don’t get here till the end of the day/Still I’ll wait for you here.” There are some religious undertones in Molly’s music, but it’s not classified as Christian music and it’s definitely meant to be listened to by anyone. I hope Maybe Tomorrow helps bring Molly Jenson into the mainstream, but I’m not positive as to how she’s going to break out. She might have to wait until her next album. Maybe tomorrow.

[Photos courtesy of AuntSmack4U on Flickr, and Amazon.com]

This week is all about the boys. Cute ones at that. Between Jason Isbell, M. Ward, and Sam Roberts, you’ll forget all about last week’s Valentine’s Day and find yourself falling in love all over again. Even if you have a man, come on; can he sing like any of these guys? No matter what, you’re not going to be able to keep from swooning.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

A long-time Drive-By Truckers fan, I wasn’t very happy when Jason Isbell left the group. Luckily, he’s continuing to make albums on his own; this time with the 400 Unit. Jason’s sound isn’t quite as Southern Rock-ish as the Drive-By Truckers, but his voice still carries the same smooth twang. The second I heard “Sunstroke,” I knew it was going to be one of my favorites, reminding me a bit of an entirely non-spoken version of the Drive-by Trucker’s “World of Hurt.” Just like Jason did in DBT, he still writes amazing lyrics that are always thoughtful and engaging life narratives: “Here it is morning for some folks/Twilight for those of us left/Sleep while the soldiers get sunstroke/Make little fools of ourselves.” Jason ends the album with “The Last Song I Will Write,” but I know I’ll be pretty upset if it really is the last song he writes. A quote regarding the album from JasonIsbell.com says, “Yeah, it’s a sad record, but he’s laughing. And it’s a good sound, all around.” And this easily sums the album up.

M. Ward – Hold Time

I hadn’t heard of M. Ward until I started listening to She & Him, which was started by Ward along with Zooey DeSchanel. I immediately fell in love the duo, though Zooey tends to overshadow Ward in many of the songs. When I heard he was coming out with a solo album, I knew I had to listen. Then I learned that Hold Time is actually his sixth solo album. M. Ward’s sound is definitely reminiscent of She & Him and Zooey even makes an appearance on some tracks. Except, even when she does sing, it’s clear the songs all belong to M. Ward. Along with writing some original music, Ward also covers tracks like Buddy Holly’s “Rave On,” which is absolutely amazing with Zooey on backup. Lucinda Williams accompanies Ward in a cover of Don Gibson’s “Oh Lonesome Me,” a song completely filled with feeling so intense you will feel like you’re experiencing it yourself. While I can easily sit and listen to M. Ward’s music, I also see it as fabulous background music, perfect for when you need to place your concentration elsewhere. I’ll definitely be checking out Ward’s previous albums.

Sam Roberts – Love at the End of the World

I tend to give Canadians a chance when it comes to music, mostly because of Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, and The Barenaked Ladies. So when I heard Sam Roberts was amazing and Canadian, I figured chances were high that he would be out of this world. On first listen, I realized that if you crossed the voices of Jeff Tweedy of Wilco and Doug Marstsch of Built to Spill, you’d probably end up with something like Sam Roberts. And to me, that is an extremely good thing. My favorite track on the album is “Them Kids” and its declarations that “now the kids don’t know how to dance to the rock and roll.” This song will have you dancing, though it’s not exactly rock ‘n’ roll. I’m also a big fan of the title track and “Stripmall Religion,” but after listening to the album a couple times, I honestly fell in love with almost every song. They’re all so unique, with really only Roberts’ voice tying them all together. Even the more solemn tracks on the album seem upbeat and cheerful when Sam Roberts sings them. I told you Canadians knew how to rock.

[Photos courtesy of Amazon.com and MartinVangoor on Flickr.]

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