Songversation – India.Arie – “What did not demolish me simply polished me” mid-album and if you have made it that far you probably agree with her. But this album is a little too feel good mantraish waiting on a how to do for the soul. But when she gets it right, a song like the Michael Jackson soundalike “Just For You”, it is worth the bromides and then some – ALBUM OF THE WEEK – B
More Light – Primal Scream – I like Primal Scream as much as any one and more than most but this piece of blues guitar UK rock though good enough in its own right it is no XTRMNTR. Except for “2013”, which is their best song in years – B
No Place For My Dream – Femi Kuti – You know what you’re getting and if you don’t like it, that’s your my problem. And mine – C-
Encore – Hunter Hayes – It isn’t his fault he looks like he’s a little wimp, it’s his fault he sings like he’s little wimp – D
Live In NYC – Jane’s Addiction – How bad can it be? It was recorded at Terminal 5 – C-
One True Vine – Mavis Staples – The lead singer of the Staple reunites with Jack White and White has decided he is Rick Rubin. The surprise is he may be right – B+
Legend Remixed – Bob Marley – So what do you get when you remix the greatest greatest hits collection of all time? Not much, even Scratch “Lee” Perry blows it, his sons are awful, Thievery Corporation overwhelm the song with dub and echoes and Jim James isn’t the worst, but what does that tell you? – C-
Jammin’ With Friends – Brett Michaels – Oh please, he has no friends. Poor Loretta Lynn, what the hell is she doing here?- D
Sound The Alarm – Booker T – Featured stars aplenty and none better than Vintage Trouble though my man Gary Clark jr comes close – B
Soft Will – Smith Western – Look, it is a free world and if Smith Western have decided to morph into the lamest indie pop this side of The Pains Of Being Pure Of Heart, they are welcome to do so. But you don’t have to – D
The Gifted – Wale – Pronounced Walley, which is all you need to know – D
About That Life – Attila – Sure, they bought a blueprint and followed the hardcore instructions all the way. But they followed it right – B
Live From The El Rey Theater – Jack’s Mannequin – I saw em live once, they were pretty good, but that doesn’t mean a live album is a good idea because it ain’t. Over sung, over wrought, over here – C-
J.A.C.K. – Forever The Sickest Kids – Not as good as Fall Out Boy but, as far as it goes, pretty damn good. Try “Nice To Meet You” – B