Mini music reviews
Lady Sovereign
Jigsaw
Pop (Midget/EMI)
The female face of U.K. grime goes pop on her sophomore disc, singing as
much as rapping and, in ''So Human,'' jacking the groove from ''Close to
Me'' by the Cure. B- — Mikael Wood
Billy Ray Cyrus
Back to Tennessee
Country (Walt Disney/Lyric Street)
Who is Cyrus 17 years after ''Achy Breaky Heart''? Depending on the track,
a poor man's Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Trace Adkins, or Neil Diamond. D+ — Mandi Bierly
The Thermals
Now We Can See
Alt-Rock (Kill Rock Stars)
This pop-punk band manages to make death sound chirpy on its fourth
album. With perky melodies and singsong choruses, angst has rarely
sounded so precious. B+ — Jeremy Medina
Junior Boys
Begone Dull Care
Electronic (Domino)
A new album means more romantic whispers and languorous synth beats.
Both ingredients are bountiful on the Canadian duo's third full-length. A- — SVL
Bat for Lashes
Two Suns
Alt-Rock (Astralwerks)
2007's fantastical Fur and Gold introduced us to Natasha Kahn and her
loopy, mystical Kate Bush-on-mescaline aesthetic. Suns is slightly less
immediate, but the Brit's floaty vocals and pagan-princess themes still
bewitch. B — LG
MIMS
Guilt
Rap (Capitol)
The rapper behind 2007's party anthem ''This Is Why I'm Hot'' returns with
more heat for the dance floor. B — Margeaux Watson
Bob Mould
Life and Times
Alt-Rock (Anti-)
Mould addresses the years he spent playing a downward spiraler, gay-club
cruiser, and spotlight needer, then gets back to his best role: just
being Bob Mould. B — Melissa Maerz
The Felice Brothers
Yonder Is the Clock
Rock (Team Love)
The fourth album from these purveyors of Band-evoking Americana is as
folksy and honed as a tale by Mark Twain, from whom the Felices borrowed
the title. A- — CC
