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Music
Listen to this
A look at some new music.
By SEAN DALY
Published December 17, 2006
Akon Album: Konvicted Universal Motown In stores: Now Why we care: Born in Senegal, Aliaune "Akon" Thiam croons like Wyclef, rhymes like Jay-Z and toasts like Bob Marley. His blend of West African inflection and Dirty Southern beats makes him hip-hop's standout hitmaker. HOWEVER: The 25-year-old is also one of the most controversial rappers. His rhymes about his criminal past and sexual prowess are not for the delicate. (You've been warned. Don't write me to complain.) Why we like it: Unlike most MCs, Akon is equally adept at hard party cuts, atmospheric ballads and reggae jams. Not many hip-hoppers can successfully whiplash from club banger Smack That (a booty-bumping duet with Eminem) to heart-sleeved storm Never Took The Time to the rasta funk of Mama Africa. Reminds us of: Wyclef with a grudge. (Anyone remember Terence Trent D'Arby? Yeah, kinda reminds us of him, too.) Download these: Smack That, Never Took the Time, Mama Africa Grade: A Josh Ritter Album: The Animal Years (V2) In stores: Now Why we care: This Idaho-born busker is a Bruce-level star in Ireland, but is merely an underground Springsteen in the States. Proof, once again, that Guinness makes you smarter. Why we like it: I get suspicious when I hear the words "singer-songwriter." Makes me think of expensive coffee and that college poetry class where half the students refused to wear shoes. But Ritter's Dylanesque wordplay ("Talking to God is Laurel begging Hardy for a gun") is often girded by robust playing and a populist good nature. He's a singer-songwriter with style. Reminds us of: Dylan for Dylan-haters, the Boss for Boss-lovers Download these: Girl in the War, Wolves, Good Man Grade: B Mindy Smith Album: Long Island Shores (Vanguard) In stores: Now Why we care: A Long Island gal transplanted to Nashville, Smith's torn-between-worlds persona has made her a buzzword both north and south. The sweet soprano's breakout moment occurred on a Dolly Parton tribute, when the then-unknown uncorked a goosebumpin' Jolene. Why we like it: When Smith gets too wispy and whispery, she sounds like music sold at the Yankee Candle store. But when she's backed by a solid beat and playful pickers, she can seduce like that other L.I. Lolita. Reminds us of: Edie Brickell with her feet on the ground Download these: You Know I Love You Baby, Long Island Shores Grade: B- Sean Daly can be reached at sdaly@sptimes.comor (727) 893-8467. His blog is at blogs.tampabay.com/popmusic.
[Last modified December 15, 2006, 10:12:24]
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