By Kurt B. Reighley
Special to MSN Music
After a lackluster ninth season, "American Idol" seems to have recaptured its mojo. No doubt new judge Jennifer Lopez is breathing a sigh of relief that her new single, "On the Floor," is faring much better with the public than Paula Abdul's attempted comeback did. And the show has certainly minted its share of new stars, as underscored by "American Idol: 10th Anniversary -- The Hits, Vol. 1." This 12-track offering features selections by all the winning contestants, as well as a few "fan favorites," although Jennifer Hudson is curiously absent. While it seems a stretch to call some of these cuts hits -- when was the last time you heard Lee DeWyze's "Sweet Serendipity" at the grocery store? -- there's no contesting the entries from Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Daughtry.
Miranda Cosgrove, the star of "iCarly," has found fame via television's other big star-making franchise, the Disney Channel. The charismatic 17-year-old may not be as compelling a musical personality as teen queens like Britney and Christina once were, but her new EP, "High Maintenance," is more consistent than what those ladies have been peddling of late. Rivers Cuomo of Weezer co-wrote the amusing title tune with Cosgrove, with the young actress portraying an unrepentant troublemaker and Cuomo voicing her long-suffering beau. Max Martin and Avril Lavigne, both veterans of Cosgrove's 2010 debut, "Sparks Fly," contribute the crisp pop tune "Dancing Crazy," while "Face of Love" boasts a cool, indie vibe a la the xx.
On the other hand, punk band Rise Against drew inspiration for "Endgame" from the real world in all its ugliness and turmoil. The band's current modern rock smash, the blistering "Help Is on the Way," examines what has become of New Orleans and its surrounding region in the aftermath of the back-to-back disasters of Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Produced by longtime colleagues Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore, the follow-up to 2008's "Appeal to Reason" is rife with unrelenting tunes like "Architects," "Satellite" and "Wait for Me." The band kick off their headlining North American tour, with support from Bad Religion, on April 5 in Las Vegas.
How is it possible that "Several Shades of Why" is the first solo album from J Mascis? In the wake of Dinosaur Jr.'s impressive 2007 return-to-form "Beyond" and 2009's "Farm," Mascis changes tack, setting aside the loud guitars that have distinguished his career since the '80s in favor of a much lighter touch. There are no drums on "Several Shades of Why," and the guitars are acoustic, but these 10 new tunes show plenty of stylistic range. The title tune features finger picking and languid violin lines, while vocal harmonies from Kurt Vile and members of Band of Horses and Broken Social Scene transport "Not Enough" to Laurel Canyon in the 1970s, and "Is It Done" recalls the gritty melancholy of Drive-By Truckers' more introspective moments.
Yep Roc continues its reissue series of masterpieces by pub rock/power pop great Nick Lowe with a refurbished "Labour of Lust." The remastered edition of his 1979 sophomore set, available digitally for the first time, adds two tunes previously unavailable on the U.S. incarnation, the U.K.-only "Endless Grey Ribbon" and the sparse B-side "Basing Street." Accompanied by Rockpile (featuring guitarist Dave Edmunds) and guests including Elvis Costello and Huey Lewis, Lowe did some of his best work on this disc, which also includes his biggest hit, "Cruel to Be Kind," along with the country-tinged "Without Love," "Switchboard Susan" and the nervy "Cracking Up."
Also New This Week
- Bob Geldof: "How to Compose Popular Songs That Will Sell" (listen)
- Matt Wertz: "Weights & Wings" (listen)
- New York Dolls: "Dancing Backward in High Heels" (listen)
- Scala & Kolacny Brothers: "Scala & Kolacny Brothers" (listen)
- Noah and the Whale: "Last Night on Earth" (listen)
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