Billboard album reviews

09/19/2005 9:51 AM, Reuters


ARTIST: BON JOVI

ALBUM: HAVE A NICE DAY (ISLAND)

People like Bon Jovi for its power-chord-laden songs and Jon Bon Jovi's gravelly vocals. But the frontman has been touting "Have a Nice Day" as a new direction, one that is more introspective and socially conscious. The group's songwriting has gotten better over the years, and there are some seriously catchy tunes here ("Last Cigarette," "Welcome to Wherever You Are"). But the lyrics often fall short, even when it is obvious the band is gunning for a hit ("Bells of Freedom"). These shortfalls certainly will not get Jon any closer to being considered Bruce Springsteen's equal, and this album is not likely to provide a huge U.S. comeback for the band. However, "Nice Day" is full of solid rock'n'roll, ensuring Bon Jovi will be around to enjoy yet another decade.

ARTIST: SHAGGY

ALBUM: CLOTHES DROP (GEFFEN)

The title of the sixth record from Mr. "It Wasn't Me" proves misleading -- not because Shaggy has suddenly become a prude, but because the undulating basslines of his smooth/ rugged dancehall end up supporting strong and grown-up tracks of social injustice and a measured pace of living. The glancing Bob Marley update "Stand Up" finds Shaggy waxing political, while "Repent" sees him proclaiming that a world "two steps away from a real disaster" just needs to "slow down and pray." Of course, being Shaggy, this all unfolds before a fatherly chat with his troublesome private parts in "Ahead in Life." Club-oriented guests are brought in judiciously (Will.i.am on "Shut Up and Dance," Olivia on "Wild 2nite"). But musically and lyrically, "Clothes Drop" is more pop-oriented, melodic and restrained, and is all the brighter for it.

ARTIST: PATTY LOVELESS

ALBUM: DREAMING MY DREAMS (EPIC)

In recent years, Loveless has alternated deftly between acoustic and contemporary country albums, and here she combines those efforts to stunning effect. Few can match Loveless' direct connect to the heartstrings when given the right material, and she has it here in spades. She cuts loose from the get-go on the sterling Richard Thompson cut "Keep Your Distance," and brilliantly refashions Waylon Jennings' "Dreaming My Dreams With You." Loveless is delightfully frisky on "Same Kind of Crazy," a rollicking "Big Chance" and a duet with Dwight Yoakam on "Never Ending Song of Love." Elsewhere, her world-weary vocals are without peer on the pitiful "On the Verge of Tears" and the resigned Steve Earle gem "My Old Friend the Blues."

ARTIST: EARTH, WIND & FIRE

ALBUM: ILLUMINATION (SANCTUARY)

Earth, Wind & Fire's 23rd album borrows inspiration from Carlos Santana's momentous "Supernatural," as its members trade vibes with like-minded practitioners of contemporary R&B/hip-hop. The best of these collaborations eloquently captures EWF's classic horn-and-harmony sound, absent the taint of forced hipness. At the head of the class: Raphael Saadiq's 2004 Grammy Award-nominated duet with Maurice White on the sparkling "Show Me the Way." Honorable mention goes to "Elevated" featuring Floetry, the Will.i.am-produced dancer "Lovely People," Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis' "Pure Gold" (showcasing Philip Bailey's unmistakable falsetto) and Vikter Duplaix's instrumental "Liberation," which conjures memories of EWF's colorful album interludes. "Illumination" will no doubt satisfy EWF fans but it is doubtful the album will replicate the chart/sales success of Santana's comeback. And after hearing this, you cannot help wondering what a Kanye West-meets-EWF pairing would have wrought.

ARTIST: CABAS

ALBUM: PURO CABAS (EMI LATIN)

Cabas' third album is true to its name, unabashedly Colombian in its rhythms, instruments and colloquialisms. It is also far more cohesive and focused than Cabas' more rambling previous effort. As a result, for all its regionalism, "Puro Cabas" has broad reach thanks to a unique sound and a series of tight songs with commercial appeal. These include the single "Guacamaya" and the very clever, catchy "La Cadena De Oro." The album largely forgoes the crashing electric guitar that defined much of Cabas' first album in favor of a sound more tropical (there is even a track titled "Caribe Soy") than alternative or pop. A fine marriage of intellectual and commercial sensibilities.

ARTIST: DISTURBED

ALBUM: TEN THOUSAND FISTS (REPRISE/WARNER BROS.)

Although there are 14 songs on "Ten Thousand Fists," it feels like Disturbed recorded only four -- it is hard to hear much difference between each cut. This is not bothering Disturbed's fans or rock programmers, as the singles "Guarded" and "Stricken" are hanging tight at radio. On some tracks the group pushes a Nine Inch Nails/industrial dance vibe ("Deify," "Pain Redefined"), and that would not be a problem if they did not keep falling into the same pattern the others do. The instruments constantly follow the same beat; the choppy bass and guitars almost act like another form of percussion. Disturbed only breaks free of the milieu on the power ballad "Overburdened," where singer David Draiman shows what a sweet voice he has when he is not firing off jackhammer raps like "Decadence."

Reuters/Billboard