Sean Daly's top CD picks

By Sean Daly, Times Pop Music Critic
Published March 9, 2008

Jack Johnson
Album: Sleep Through the Static (Brushfire)
In stores: Now
Why we care: You know times are tense when even this guitar-strumming beach bum starts losing sleep. A phenom in flip-flops, the 32-year-old Hawaiian native shows a sharp political side on 14 gems about trouble in paradise.
Why we like it: "All at once / The world can overwhelm me / There's almost nothing that you could tell me / That could ease my mind." Although the lyrics are more stormy than sunny, there's still an intangible comfort in Johnson's beach-bluesy delivery. The music remains mostly acoustic, but a mournful keyboard helps harsh Johnson's typical mellow.
Reminds us of: Dave Matthews in board shorts
Download this: Sleep Through the Static
Grade: A-

Ghostland Observatory
Album: Robotique Majestique (Trashy Moped)
In stores: Now
Why we care: I want you to imagine John Carpenter's rudimentary keyboard score from Halloween. Now I want you to imagine an '80s hair-metalist howling inane lyrics over Michael Myers' stalking music. Still interested?
Why we like it: People either love or despise Ghostland Observatory, usually for the same reasons. The Austin, Texas, duo hams out its electro-rock with theatrical panache. Frontman Aaron Behrens is a cross between Freddie Mercury and Dr. Frankenstein, and synthman Thomas Ross Turner wears a cape a la the Phantom of the Opera. If any of this sounds remotely bearable, you'll no doubt dig 'em.
Reminds us of: If Billy Squier were a robot
Download this: Dancing on My Grave
Grade: B+

Idina Menzel
Abum: I Stand (Warner Bros.)
In stores: Now
Why we care: Lest you think I'm an unrefined goon, I present Tony-winning Broadway sensation Idina Menzel, star of Rent and Wicked. For her big-budget foray into pop, Menzel hired super-producer Glen Ballard (Alanis Morissette) to helm this showcase for her expansive pipes.
Why we like it: Okay, maybe I am an unrefined goon after all. The 36-year-old's voice has a certain charm, especially in the upper register, when she sounds not unlike the Bangles' Susanna Hoffs. But Menzel overemotes everything as if she were still on stage. Plus the flowery, faux-empowerment lyrics wouldn't pass muster on a Hallmark card.
Reminds us of: Celine Dion without the edge
Download this: Gorgeous
Grade: C-

SONG OF THE WEEK

Flo Rida feat. T-Pain
Song: Low
In stores: Now
Why we care: I didn't realize the growly power of this hip-hop hit until I emceed a recent wedding. No matter how hard I rocked that mike, the dance floor remained lukewarm. But during this smash from Opa-Locka's own Flo Rida, the classy affair finally got grindy.
Why we like it: The 28-year-old rapper (a.k.a. Tramar Dillard) has been sitting at the top of iTunes' hot-sellers for weeks. That's more a testament to the song's fun vibe than its originality (or lack thereof). But once Flo dusts off those "Apple Bottom jeans, boots with the fur," it doesn't matter if you're the best man, the maid of honor or Grandma from Grand Rapids. It's impossible not to get "low, low, low, low."
Reminds us of: I'm also available to emcee bar mitzvahs and retirement parties.
Song grade: B+

Sean Daly can be reached at sdaly@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8467. His Pop Life blog is at blogs.tampabay.com/popmusic.

[Last modified March 6, 2008, 17:24:18]