1 – Sun Goes – Paul Weller – Yee haw -Weller finds the Western in a modified reggae strut. It is an interesting without being in any way good little number. I like Weller live but on record I can’t wear the guy, call it a cultural derailment; also explaining it as to one reason UK rock doesn’t always travel: he is a creep with a bad haircut and too many crappy songs – C
2 – Where I’m From – Shelby Lynne – Her label just complained that I was rude because I implied she took drugs in my review of her The Concert Hall gig. I did no such thing. If I had said, say, that syringe in her arm looked odd, that would be an implication. I said, if she takes drugs they are stronger than weed – A
3 – Like It Used To Be – Allison Moorer – Shelby’s kid sister nails this riff to the wall – B+
4 – I Still – Faith Evans – My own firm belief is the R&B collective inability to crack Evans pop (I mean you DIddy) is an indication of the problems with getting r&b (as opposed to hip hop) to crossover to pop. One of the most underated singers ever – B+
5 – Pyscho – Muse – In search of rock and roll credibility, they came up with this crusher – B
6 – Run Away – Snoop Dogg – Featuring Gwen Stefani and really, what happened to her? Terrific on stage, she has had a bad ten years or so, and this handclapping monster is all handclaps and musical hooks with a tribes united vibe which should work and doesn’t – C
7 – Sunday Bloody Sunday – U2 – Met a lot more when the troubles were still troubling – B
8 Big Life – Susan Said Band – That big riff sounds like it got hijacked off a UK 60s rock band, but the story of financial inequality is pure 2015 – A
9 – Miss You Sissy – Shelby Lynne – Dynamic downer – A
10 – Flaot And Sing – Adventures In Bluesland – A nod to Muhammed Ali on this punchy little knockout – A
