‘When Disaster’ Brings Fun Back To Rap

Busta Rhymes

“When Disaster Strikes” (Elektra) ***

In his second album, Busta Rhymes, a boisterous whirlwind of a syntax-shredding MC, proves that he’s one of the most inventive and versatile rhymers ever in hip-hop. Instead of focusing just on the themes of death, depression and mindless materialism that have stagnated rap, Rhymes brings the focus back to the days when rappers’ goal was verbal jousting and brightening a party.

“Get High Tonight” ignites a party spirit that doesn’t burn out. While some fans might whine at yet another hip-hop paean to marijuana, Rhymes’ anthem ranks with Keith Murray’s “I Get Lifted” and Cypress Hill’s “Stoned Is the Way of the Walk” as one of the most infectious in the tradition.

Rhymes moves engagingly from the funky “Turn It Up” to the slow-rolling “Dangerous.”

But the gem is “One,” Rhymes’ collaboration with Erykah Badu. Bolstered by an inventive sample of Stevie Wonder’s “Love’s in Need of Love Today,” the song about black love, politics and family represents the perfect marriage between Rhymes’ earthy hip-hop spiritualism and Badu’s hip-retrograde harmonics. It’s one of those rare works that has commercial smash written all over it, but displays no trace of compromise.

- Cheo Hodari Coker

Ric Ocasek

“Troublizing” (Columbia)***

Produced by Smashing Pumpkin Billy Corgan, the former Cars frontman’s latest effort is a fetching mixture of vintage synthesizers and grinding guitars, new-wave polish and post-punk grit. Crisp instrumentation and soft harmonies coalesce in “Hang on Tight,” and the title track blends a supple tune and edgy rock with a faint Western tinge - “Candy-O” at home on the range. A match made in heaven.

- Sandy Masuo

Talk Show

“Talk Show” (Atlantic). **-1/2

This may remind you of another band, but not Stone Temple Pilots - which it is, save for singer Dave Coutts in place of Scott Weiland - so much as Oasis. Suiting Coutts’ sometimes Gallagher-esque voice, Robert DeLeo favors Anglo-rock guitar styles, combining at times with bassist Dean DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz’s metallic whomp to involving effect. But overall this lacks the sonic range and imagination of STP’s best.

- Steve Hochman

The Wilsons

“The Wilsons” (Mercury)**-1/2

The trio Wilson Phillips, Carnie and Wendy Wilson cranked out the sort of bubble-gum pop that tends to get filed under the category of “guilty pleasures.” On their first album as a duo, they are out to prove themselves worthy of their pedigree. In the end, though, these songs are just as disposable as those from the Wilson Phillips oeuvre, and often not as catchy.

- Elysa Gardner