Record Reviews

Ronnie Spector

Album: “English Heart”

Grade: B

In 1964, Ronnie Spector toured Britain with the Ronettes just weeks before The Beatles arrived in America. “English Heart” is her tribute to that British Invasion, in turn influenced by her band and former husband Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound.”

While Spector is often cited for the power of her pipes, these 11 songs are styled more around subtlety and insinuation.

Producer Scott Jacoby has wisely favored the feel of the 1960s originals over the sounds, evocation rather than imitation. There are exceptions, like the thumping drums and Farfisa organ on the Dave Clark Five tune “Because.” Conversely, electronic percussion on “You’ve Got Your Troubles” (originally by The Fortunes) lends a contemporary touch, contributing to the accommodating combination of old and new.

Spector wisely covers smaller but superior U.S. hits like Lulu’s “Oh Me Oh My [I’m a Fool for You Baby]” and Sandie Shaw’s “Girl Don’t Come” instead of the usual smashes. A version of the Rolling Stones’ semi-obscure “I’d Much Rather Be With the Girls” with the daughter of her late sister (and fellow Ronette) Estelle Bennett and cousin Cindy Mizelle is pure joy.

— Pablo Gorondi, Associated Press

Pet Shop Boys

Album: “Super”

Grade: B

Pet Shop Boys take another drink from the fountain of youth on “Super,” offering more dance than pop 13 studio albums and more than 30 years after “West End Girls.”

Written in Berlin and recorded in Los Angeles, “Super” is the second installment of a probable trilogy with triple Grammy-winning producer Stuart Price, and the duo delves into the nightclub scene with their usual aplomb.

Neil Tennant is a keen observer with sharp storytelling skills, allowing him to shape all that data into tunes such as “The Pop Kids,” the album’s first single, a tale of 1990s clubgoers looking back 15 years as if it were another lifetime.

“Twenty-something” shows the difference 15 years can make and how traditional careers come with sometimes soul-crushing pressures.

Chris Lowe has an uncanny ability to keep even the most overfamiliar keyboard riffs from drifting to the far side of cheesy, and there’s enough variety to ensure that none overstay their welcome.

— Pablo Gorondi, Associated Press