CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Raising Sand

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
from: Rounder

Release Date October 23, 2007
"Raising Sand" is the haunting and brilliant collaboration between Robert Plant and Allison Krauss; it opens with my favorite track - the Sam Phillips song "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us", which quickly demonstrates that there's a lot more going on here than the "Led Zeppelin goes Country" preconception that the notion of these two artists working together conjures up. The album continues with track after track enjoyment and surprise. This is yet another triumph for producer T Bone Burnett, who has incisively crafted a breath-taking soundscape, supported by some of the finest musicians working today, where the whole is deliriously more than the sum of the parts. It all sounds so effortless that you know it must have been quite the opposite ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Perfectly Clear

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Jewel

Release Date June 03, 2008
Well all right, Jewel most likely decided to do country music this time because of the poor sales of her last cd, 2006's "Goodbye Alice In Wonderland". I have all of Jewel's cds, and I like her talent, but sometimes she's off the mark. "Perfectly Clear" is okay. It's no Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton or even Carrie Underwood. A good idea to utilize John Rich (of Big & Rich) to help produce, but the results just kind of lie there.

"Perfectly Clear" is unmoving all the way through. Background music. Average Jewel. A valiant attempt that didn't quite succeed, but also not a complete failure. The songs are pleasant, and they come and go without a second thought. After listening all week, I didn't feel there was a true ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Flavors Of Entanglement

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Alanis Morissette

Release Date June 10, 2008
It's great to notice that Alanis is back doing great rock music. I love Alanis's two first albums, and this "Flavors..." is a return to that great rock music it used to be. Already the opening track "Citizen of the Planet" tells that this album has to be good! It is so rocking and heavy. Also the radio song "Underneath" is very good! "Straitjacket" and "Version of Violence" are great rocking songs! If I didn't know that this album has been released in 2008, I would think it had been released after "Jagged Little Pill". "Not as We" proves that Alanis can also be very sensitive - it's a very touching song. Although there's many strong songs - I wouldn't say that this album is perfect - the song "Tapes" is the only one I don't like. It is a strange song - ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Seeing Things

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Jakob Dylan

Release Date June 10, 2008
Seeing Things does NOT hearken back to the days of Bob, but instead clearly plays out poetic visions of today and tomorrow. Jakob & Bob may be similar in style and attitude, but listen, pay attention, hear Jakob's sentiment, and you'll see very clearly that he draws strength from an emotive engine very much his own.

Bob Dylan and Jakob Dylan are two phenomenal singer/songwriters, each standing firmly on his own ground, each deserving of our full attention. I'm an avid listener of both Bob and Jakob's music and simply do not understand why reviewers are reluctant to grand Jakob his own platform.

Don't listen to this album with 3-minute hyper-pop expectations.
Listen to this album with time and quiet to hear the whole thing ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

One of the Boys

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Katy Perry

Release Date June 17, 2008
I was pleasantly surprized when i first listened to this cd. There is only one song that i didn't love. All the rest are-sing at the top of your lungs while driving-hot! I like her honest lyrics and 80's style beats. I normally don't listen to this kind of pop music but i am thrilled with my purchase on this one!

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Nine Lives

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Steve Winwood

Release Date April 29, 2008
Stevie always has nice stuff. Good to hear from him again. Best is song with Clapton.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Last Days At the Lodge

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Amos Lee

Release Date June 24, 2008
Though the singing is great and the instrumental pleasing throughout, this CD doesn't quite match the lofty standards set by his first two CDs.

But it is still a strong album and, after a few more listens, grew on me so much that it's now on constant rotation at my house. Highlights include "Listen," "Baby I want You," "What's Been Going On," and "Better Days."

Give it a try. It gratifies in a way most music cannot.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Keep It Simple

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Van Morrison

Release Date April 01, 2008
Typical, incredible Morrison. As always, the more I listen the deeper the meaning . . . 'stretching time stretching time . . .'

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Flavors Of Entanglement

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Alanis Morissette

Release Date June 10, 2008
Someone once said all the "it girl" singers live in fear that Alanis Morrissette will walk into the room. That still rings true. A beautiful voice, dynamic, yet subtle singing. Grab you by the throat lyrics. Alanis remains a cut above. She's been away too long. Check out "Madness" if you doubt her skill set. Thank you Alanis. Ryan's a fool!

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Real Animal

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Alejandro Escovedo

Release Date June 24, 2008
All of the other reviews here are spot-on...

This album rocks... it may well be his best studio work (though all of his albums are awesome)... it's almost as good as seeing him live... great...

All of that is true and more. If you only buy one album this summer this should be the one.

And, speaking as an Austinite who has seen Alejandro live more than a dozen times, if you get the chance to see him live, DO IT!