ON CD > REVIEWING THE MUSIC.

BILLY JOE SHAVER "Everybody's Brother" Compadre - Four stars

It's apparently only been two years since Texas' orneriest outlaw country songwriter released an album of mostly new songs. Somehow, it's felt like an eternity filled with rehashes of (admittedly great) compositions like "Live Forever."

Maybe the wait seems so long because Shaver's new stuff is invariably as good as his classics, and this more-or-less religious album is another shining example. I do not mean shining in the pious sense; he goes after Christian sisters who won't put out with as much humorous fervor as he tells nonbelievers to go to hell.

There are softer gospel tracks, too, as well as rambling ballads, beneath-the-breath yodeling and love songs for Shaver's dear and many departed. Produced by John Carter Cash with lots of great guest voices, including JCC's daddy, Johnny, on a 1970 duet.

>BOB STRAUSS

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN "Magic" Sony - Three stars

The 11 new songs Springsteen delivers on his first album with the E Street Band since '02 are the sort of rockers designed to be played loud. Opener "Radio Nowhere" sets the mood with fierce guitars and big drums, and it's a nice statement of purpose after that unappealing set of Pete Seeger covers and the acoustic solo "Devils & Dust." Standout tracks like "Gypsy Biker," "Living in the Future" and "Girls in Their Summer Clothes" recall those great Bruce moments that turn every listener into an introspective "tramps like us" resident of the Jersey shore. One other fine tune is "Your Own Worst Enemy," which uses a lush Brian Wilson-like arrangement. Let's see how he pulls that one off at the Sports Arena.

>FRED SHUSTER

McCOY TYNER "Quartet" Half Note/McCoy Tyner Music - Three and one half stars

Not the most imaginative title for the debut release on the legendary pianist's own label, but when the quartet in question features saxophonist Joe Lovano, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, you could call the album "Seven Songs" and it wouldn't much matter. Recorded in December at Yoshi's on New Year's Eve and broadcast in part on NPR, Tyner and friends blaze through a set of Tyner's classic compositions ("Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit," "Passion Dance"), delivering upbeat, vibrant music possessing a phenomenal energy and spirit. The solo closer "For All We Know" shows Tyner doing what he does best, filling the room with flourishes and clusters of complex lines.

>GLENN WHIPP 

WEAKERTHANS "Reunion Tour" Anti/Epitaph - Three stars

Except for a spoken-word portrait of eccentric '60s-era hockey goalie Gump Worsley and another song written from the point of view of a housecat, this Canadian band turns ordinariness into a virtue. In the group's fourth effort, singer John Samson delivers slices of the mundane with disarming gentleness. The band backs him with amiable folk-rock, though good things happen when the energy level goes up.

>SAM GNERRE

HARD-FI "Once Upon a Time in the West" Atlantic - Three stars

"Suburban Knights," the leadoff track from this Brit quartet second album, is as exciting a song as this equally exciting band has ever delivered. Unfortunately, the rest of the album is clogged with ballads. Still, these are soulful and often gripping songs, even if they're not quite what we expected.

>S.G.

CD releases>

Josh Groban: "Noel"

His first collection of seasonal songs is sure to be a yuletide smash.

Eric Clapton: "Complete Clapton"

This two-disc career-spanning set is released on the same day as the book "Clapton: The Autobiography."

Mannheim Steamroller: "Christmas Song"

Their first all-new holiday album in six years.

LeAnn Rimes: "Family"

Rimes settles into an easy, contemporary country groove.

Kid Rock: "Rock N Roll Jesus"

The single "So Hott" is already climbing the charts in advance of this Southern rock/honky-tonk/hip-hop set.

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