Big Boi’s ‘Purp’ compelling debut
Various artists
“Big Boi Presents … Got Purp? Vol. II” (Purple Ribbon) ““““
As half of OutKast, along with the monstrously talented Andre 3000, rapper Big Boi has a demonstrated ability to cobble old-school soul into accessible, highly catchy hip-hop hybrids. That talent is evident again on this debut compilation on his Purple Ribbon label.
“Got Purp?” is a freewheeling mix that begins with some fairly straightforward, beat-driven tracks such as “Kryptonite (I’m On It)” and “Dungeon Family Dedication,” both featuring Atlanta-based Killer Mike’s energetic rhyme-spitting.
“Me, My Baby and My Cadillac” rides a soaring chorus sampled from the Jackson 5’s “Maybe Tomorrow” into territory that’s rich in melody and rhythm. “U Got Me!!!” is a showcase for Mississippi singer Scar, whose velvety tenor is accompanied by tiers of guitar, strings, vibraphone and percussion.
Bubba Sparxxx carries the minimalist “Claremont Lounge,” a hypnotic rap interlude that unfolds above a see-saw, two-note organ riff. It’s a stark contrast to the disc’s shimmering soul, but whatever the direction, Big Boi’s sonic mix is compelling.
Jim Abbott, Orlando Sentinel
Lindsay Lohan
“A Little More Personal (Raw)” (Casablanca) ““
Singing about love and heartache when you’re very young is challenging enough. Trying to capture such emotions when you’ve come of age in a showbiz bubble must be especially difficult.
On her new CD, the 19-year-old Lohan delivers meticulously crafted rock candy designed to present the teen movie and pop idol as an edgier, more mature artist. Tellingly, her most convincing performance is on the plaintive “Confessions of a Broken Heart (Daughter to Father),” about her troubled relationship with her troubled dad, Michael.
For her sake, let’s hope Lohan’s adult life brings less fodder for sad songs.
Elysa Gardner, USA Today
The Darkness
“One Way Ticket to Hell … And Back” (Atlantic) ““ 1/2
The Darkness would be so much easier to accept if we could believe the band was serious about its craft and not just a Spinal Tap-style novelty.
Musically, the British hard rockers are so adept at re-creating ‘70s Queen – right down to hiring Queen producer Roy Thomas Baker, and recording in the same Wales studio where Queen cut “Bohemian Rhapsody” – that most of this sophomore CD is a blast.
The album cover graphics even echo the classic rock era – in this case AC/DC’s “For Those About to Rock We Salute You,” in which half the album title appears on the front and the rest falls on the back side.
The title track, which sounds like a cross between Queen and Boston, details lead singer Justin Hawkins’ struggle with cocaine addiction (“Several massive chocking lines of glorious gack/I bought a one way ticket to hell … and back.”)
But Hawkins sings in such an irritating, high falsetto it makes everything feel like a spoof.
Howard Cohen, Miami Herald
Chris Brown
“Chris Brown” (Jive) ““ 1/2
This 16-year-old Virginia native already has snapped listeners to attention with his infectious “Run It” and its melodic follow-up, “Yo (Excuse Me Miss).”
Brown has the charisma and the voice to lift his songs above the usual love-struck teenage fare, though only to a point. You know you’re still dealing with a young player when he tries to persuade a girl to leave her boyfriend with the line, “He ain’t fly. He don’t even drive.”
Still, Brown gets credit for not trying to be more adult than he is, and given time, there’s no reason to think he won’t grow into meatier material.
Steve Jones, USA Today
Cyndi Lauper
“The Body Acoustic” (Epic) “““
This unplugged project from the big-voiced ‘80s icon contains a few OK new songs that are overshadowed (in a good way) by some riveting new versions of her biggest hits.
What may be most surprising is the folky undertow to the album, which features down-home fiddle playing along with Lauper herself on dulcimer, of all things.
Special guests abound on “The Body Acoustic,” with the best collaborations “I’ll Be Your River” and “Sisters of Avalon” featuring the stylish young R&B singer Vivian Green. “Avalon” features a rave-up vocal from indie-folk star Ani DiFranco, Sarah McLachlan joins Lauper on “Time After Time” and “Water’s Edge,” and guitarist Jeff Beck noodles about on the snoozy “Above the Clouds.”
But the most striking track is undeniably the moody, reworked version of “She Bop,” Lauper’s musical ode to self-gratification.
Martin Bandyke, Detroit Free Press