Swing Both Ways – Robbie Williams – Perhaps the most thoroughly charming UK pop star to fail to make a dent Stateside, here he covers some swing, occasional folk, an original, sells his album title pun with one Rufus Wainwright, and adds Kelly Clarkson, Olly Murs and more to the mix – B+
Shangri La – Jake Bugg – 19 year old singer-songwriter is pretty nasal even for a folkie aiming for the Dylan crown, and not very good on stage. Still, the songs here are sturdier than Lightning Bolt and if “What Doesn’t Kill Ya” constitutes anything, it would appear to be the ability of a good songwriter to switch up a cliche. Rubin gives him a very clean sound, and Jake’s phrasing would be the envy of any one. Did I mention he is 19 years old? – B+
Baptized – Daughtry -I’ll give Daughtry this much, “Long Live Rock And Roll” is sincere, but it is as insulated as “Old Time Rock And Roll” and nowhere near as good, something that could be claimed about every song on this tedious album of standing in the shadows of rock history – C
I Am – Yo Gotti – Still love Gotti’s voice, and this finds some sort of middle ground between pop and the heavier dub beats so popular. Not a great rhymer – C+
The Best Of Nickelback – Nickelback – Poster boys for everything that is wrong with rock and roll in the 21st century, I don’t doubt their sincerity, I doubt their ability to write memorable rock songs – D+
Clockwork Angels Tour – Rush – Hang around long enough you gain respectability as men in their 40s try and pretend they had good reason for loving your pompous prog-rock – D+
Duets 20th Anniversary – Frank Sinatra – Started a cottage industry… a lousy cottage industry. Sinatra’s worst takes on his great catalog with celebrity pop stars joining in – C
BE – Beady Eye – I don’t claim greatness for Liam Gallagher, but I claim when old time UK rock and roll bombast and swagger comes to count, he ain’t bad – B
In Your Hands – Eliza Doolittle – The only real contender to Lily Allen’s crown, she took a three year break between albums and lost all momentum. This is a coninuation of her mix of dance, pop and UK style Vaudeville, songs not quite as good, voice much better – B+
Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 – Eric Clapton – Yeah, I was there and I have one question… where is BB King and Buddy Guy performing together with Robert randolph? Instead we get three John Mayer tracks… three???? Has nobody checked out Mayer’s numbers recently? – B