record reviews

January 16, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Steel Magnolia

Album: “Steel Magnolia” (Big Machine)

Grade: B

Steel Magnolia — a duo consisting of real-life couple Joshua Scott Jones and Meghan Linsey — breaks the pattern of modern country music duos on their self-titled debut.

For one, the couple share vocals and trade lines on every song, while nearly all other country duos of the last 30 years have featured one primary vocalist. For another, while most contemporary country acts draw on hard rock or Southern rock influences, Steel Magnolia bring a soulful swagger with an R&B and gospel flavor — a rarity in today’s country music.

The duo stand out most distinctively on songs that emphasize their rhythmic punch and growling vocals, such as their outstanding first hit, “Keep on Lovin’ You,” which reached No. 4 on the Billboard country charts. The jaunty “Ooh La La,” which opens the album, and the sensually swaying “Eggs Over Easy” — two of the seven songs Jones and Linsey co-wrote on the 12-song collection — also accentuate the duo’s soul-stirring style.

However, when they step away from R&B, as on the sentimental ballad “Just By Being You [Halo and Wings],” they lose their distinctiveness. Fortunately, the couple keeps Linsey’s New Orleans roots upfront, making them one of the most exciting country acts to come along in the last couple of years.

— Michael McCall, Associated Press

CAKE

Album: “Showroom of Compassion”

Grade: B

Cake singer John McCrea’s jaded, deadpan vocals used to camouflage all sorts of intentions, from the leering “Short Skirt, Long Jacket” to the ironic fake enthusiasm of “The Distance.” On “Showroom of Compassion” (Upbeat), McCrea apparently has less to hide. The single “Sick of You” is remarkably straightforward and catchy. The jaded delivery on the trudging “Federal Funding” matches the rocker’s jaded take on the government. “Showroom of Compassion” could use a few more layers, but Cake certainly knows how to make the sale.

— Glenn Gamboa, Long Island Newsday

KANDI

Album: “Kandi Koated” (Asylum)

Grade: C

It’s a shame Kandi Burruss is such a smash on TV’s guiltiest of guilty pleasures, “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” To an extent, that Bravo reality-show role obscures the ex-Xscape member’s distinctive talents as a hit R&B-centric composer/producer for Usher, Pink, TLC, Alicia Keys, and such. On this, her second melodic good-woman-done-wrong solo album, there’s a whine and a cry to her voice every time she hits the word “you.” Oh, Kandi, always thinking about someone other than yourself! That’s a lot, as the emotive Burruss — a female Johnny Ray — reminisces on the worrisome “Leave U” and the heart-busted “How Could You ... Feel My Pain.” She rhapsodizes warmly, too, on “Me and U,” a giddy OutKast-sampling romancer costarring Ne-Yo — and the steamily quiet-storming “Lucky.” But her vocals still sound like she’s welling up with tears. Cheer up!

— A.D. Amorosi, Philadelphia Inquirer

BRITISH SEA POWER

Album: “Valhalla Dancehall” (Rough Trade)

Grade: C

On their last proper album — a soundtrack and a 33-minute EP notwithstanding — the Brighton band British Sea Power asked, “Do You Like Rock Music?” Their answer was a very sincere, enthusiastic yes, with a set of full-force anthems. “Valhalla Dancehall” follows suit, with more big rock music that sometimes hits its lofty mark but too often sounds forced or relentless.

The group has drowned the esoteric eccentricities of its early albums in thunderous buzz-saw riffs, charging drums, and shouted, communal choruses. It sounds desperate to connect on “Luna” (think Pulp without the pith) and “Thin Black Sail” (think punk without the punch), although “Observe the Skies” and “We Are Sound” rock out persuasively and “Cleaning Out the Rooms” is one of a handful of dreamy respites.

— Steve Klinge, Philadelphia Inquirer

TAPES ’N TAPES

Album: “Outside”

Grade: B

It’s been five years since Tapes ’N Tapes rode the then-new blogosphere-built buzz from Minnesota obscurity to indie-rock “it” band status for its debut “The Loon.”

But that particular rocket ride doesn’t last long (Right, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah?), and Tapes ’N Tapes fell to Earth with quite a thud on 2008’s about-face “Walk It Off.”

Maybe that’s why their new effort, “Outside” (Ibid), sounds a bit like the band is meandering around, dazed and confused.

The opener “Badaboom” sets up an interesting mix of parameters for the album, like the band is going to try to blaze its own trail between Radiohead austerity and Talking Heads world-beat weirdness.

Sometimes, they veer close to the Radiohead border (especially on “Outro”), and sometimes they samba over to the Heads’ side. The horn-filled, groovy “One in the World,” where Josh Grier wonders, “Where is my heart? Is it in San Jose?” is especially David Byrne-ish.

Then, there’s the Wilco-meets-Afghan Whigs surprise that is “The Saddest of All Keys.” It’s both crafty and well crafted, showing that the creative flame that generated so much heat on “The Loon” hasn’t burned out.

However, sometimes it does seem like Tapes ’N Tapes isn’t quite sure what to do with it. “Outside” does sound a bit lost, with too many styles pulling in different directions, but the band does unearth some gems in its travels.

— Glenn Gamboa, Long Island Newsday