Artist: Raekwon
Title: The Lex Diamond Story
Label: Universal Records
Rating: 2
It doesn't seem like it's been more than 10 years since the Wu-Tang Clan dropped Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers, their raw, brilliant debut. Hip-hop is still reeling from it, as evidenced by member Raekwon's third solo CD, The Lex Diamond Story. But as with most things Wu-related that have followed that debut, it's a major disappointment. Method Man's got the flow, ODB's got the personality, and Raekwon the Chef's got the lyrics. Or that's how the mythology goes. This CD finds the Chef cooking up tired, Mafia-inspired tales and wandering narratives that do little but showcase current slang. Meth pops up to show us how it's done, but it's an all-too-brief highlight amongst an album of uninspired loops and lackluster spitting. --Douglas Adams
Artist: Luomo
Title: The Present Lover
Label: Kinetic Records
Rating: 3 1/2
Edging close to the line that separates cheesy Euro pop and quality, inspiring dance music, the new album from Finnish born and raised Luomo has just enough decent production and a few unique vocal tracks in it to remain interesting. This is definitely pop music though. The Present Lover starts out strong, with some groovy beats and mesmerizing vocals. The tracks have a lightness to them that can't help but brighten your day or night, and the consistent if not over used house beats do keep the thing moving. There is also a nice minimal element to the first half of the album, which unfortunately disappears on the later, less inspiring tracks. Luomo is worth a listen if you're looking for decent, mellow, electronic dance music that has a more traditional song structure and loads of vocals. --Noah Massey
Artist: The God Awfuls
Title: Next Stop Armageddon
Label: Kung Fu Records
Rating: 4
For a new band, The God Awfuls have a lot of muscle behind them. Their debut CD, Next Stop Armageddon, was produced by Blag Dahlia from The Dwarves and they're signed to The Vandals' record label. Not bad for four punks from SoCal. None of that would mean squat if they were just another Blink 182, but they're not. Equal parts Clash, Black Flag and disaffected youth (also the name of the kick-off track, coincidentally), The God Awfuls tear along at 100 miles an hour. With lyrics more political than whiny, they recall a day when three chords and unbridled energy seemed like enough to save the world, or at the very least piss off a significant amount of the right people. If it's too loud, you're too old, right? Or maybe you're just too complacent. --Douglas Adams
Artist: The Giraffes
Title: Helping You Help Yourself
Label: Ape Sauce Records
Rating: 4
From the underground New York rock scene come The Giraffes, whose first full-length album, Helping You Help Yourself, combines the classic elements of '70s heavy metal (complete with blistering lead guitar solos and operatic vocals) with the rawness of the punk scene. This is no slick album -- there's a refreshing rawness not present in much of today's youthful rock. The Giraffes hold back nothing, with porno-inspired lyrics and a sonic nastiness not heard in a while. Every track is worth your attention but a few of the songs will compel you to crank your stereo to the max every time they come on. And that's what it all comes down to, right? --Noah Massey
Artist: Various Artists
Title: Committed 2 Rock
Label: Time Life Music
Rating: 3 1/2
The inspiration behind Time Life's first foray into youth-based music, the compilation Committed 2 Rock, was positivity. That may sound cheesy (and let's face it, it is) but for kids looking for positive messages in the mediascape, this could be just the ticket. Full of upbeat, solid songs from the likes of the Foo Fighters and Jimmy Eat World, as well as secular tracks from Christian artists like Jars of Clay and DC Talk, C2R succeeds in its mission. If I were purchasing an album for a 13-year-old nephew, I would have no trouble laying down the duckets for this release, no matter what his religion of choice (or lack thereof). --Douglas Adams
Artist: Belle And Sebastian
Title: Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Label: Rough Trade
Rating: 3 1/2
If you already know and love Belle And Sebastian, that wistful Scottish clan with a penchant for naive melodies and Smiths-like lyrics, forget what you know. Or rather, what you expect. On Dear Catastrophe Waitress, the band's fifth proper album and the first for new label Rough Trade, the band has gone in an extremely poppy direction. Yes, B&S were always pop, but this borders on the ridiculous. The Carpenters might even find a few songs on here too "twee," as the Brits say. "You Don't Send Me," with its easy listening Latin sections, is practically unlistenable, while "Roy Walker" has its tongue pressed so firmly into its cheek that it's broken through to the other side. The album does have its share of gems though. "I'm A Cuckoo" has the kind of lyrical poignancy for which the band is adored, and "Lord Anthony" is classic B&S, all schoolyard laments and heart-tugging refrains. Take these sweets in bite-size pieces and don't forget to brush your teeth afterwards. --Douglas Adams