SOUND CHECK.MARY J. BLIGE: ``The Breakthrough'' (Geffen) - Three stars No more drugs, no more playas, no more drama. Well, not exactly. While it's true that Blige's ``Breakthrough'' is that she's happy, it doesn't always inspire the best of songs or collaborations. Her over-dramatization of U2's ``One'' is the oddball here. But fortunately, there's plenty to like about Blige's blissful new set. She talks up love on the '70s soul groove ``No One Will Do,'' and gets help from the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am on ``About You,'' an infectious fusion of hip-hop beats and funk that samples the song ``Feeling Good'' as performed by the late Nina Simone. Other songs to look out for? Check out ``I Found My Everything,'' which features Raphael Saadiq and is stylized styl·ize tr.v. styl·ized, styl·iz·ing, styl·iz·es 1. To restrict or make conform to a particular style. 2. To represent conventionally; conventionalize. in the classic Motown mold. - Sandra Barrera VARIOUS: ``For a Decade of Sin: 11 Years of Bloodshot blood·shot adj. Red and inflamed as a result of locally congested blood vessels, as of the eyes. bloodshot Vox populi adjective Records'' (Bloodshot) - Four stars The perfect last-minute gift for that graying punk, lonesome lone·some adj. 1. a. Dejected because of a lack of companionship. See Synonyms at alone. b. Producing such dejection: a lonesome hour at the bar. 2. cowboy or nonrecovering addict on your list is this two-disc compilation from the wacky Chicago label that calls itself the home of insurgent INSURGENT. One who is concerned in an insurrection. He differs from a rebel in this, that rebel is always understood in a bad sense, or one who unjustly opposes the constituted authorities; insurgent may be one who justly opposes the tyranny of constituted authorities. country. Not your typical decade retrospective, the album's 42 tracks are all either new or previously unreleased, and they run the gamut from mountain string traditionalism to dirty blues Dirty blues encompasses forms of blues music that deal with topics that are sometimes considered taboo in society, including sexual metaphors and/or references to drug use of some kind. to rabid electric cowpunk. Bloodshot acts past, present and never all contribute their best bourbon-polished gems, and somehow the likes of Ralph Stanley, Graham Parker, John Doe John Doe formerly, any plaintiff; now just anybody. [Am. Pop. Usage: Brewer Dictionary, 329] See : Everyman , Hank Williams III, Andre Williams, Sally Timms, the Old 97s and the Meat Purveyors all sound at home together, along with dozens of other wild, weird and determinedly distinctive roots acts. Can't wait for the century collection. - Bob Strauss CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1) no caption (Mary J. Blige) (2 -- 3) no caption (CD covers) |
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