‘New’ cuts are gems on Cornell’s posthumous album
On Chris Cornell’s posthumous self-titled album, which was released on LP and CD by Interscope, his wife and former bandmates gathered together their favorite tracks from both his bands and his solo career. However, the true prizes are the unreleased cuts that end the album. "When Bad Does Good" hints at a change in direction as Cornell sounds pensive and earnest over some very reverent music.
MUMFORD & SONS
Delta
[LP/CD](Glassnote)
"Delta" is Mumford's back to nature record. After spending a lot of time hiking, camping and breathing in the world both spiritually and musically, the band wrote 30 songs where they hope to return to a self-described "elemental" sound. Once they began recording with producer Paul Epworth, the songs took flight and they brought in nearly 100 musicians and friends (Maggie Rogers and Gill Landry, to name but a few) to help.
Michael Buble
Love
[LP/CD](Reprise)
On what will likely be his last record for a while, Buble aims for a modern crooner record. With Grammy-winner David Foster at the helm, "Love" is bursting open with catchy choruses and heartfelt lyrics underscored by sleek production. However, those originals set up Buble's rich, string-laden trek through standards both old ("When I Fall In Love") and new ("Help Me Make It Through The Night").
ANDERSON.PAAK
Oxnard
[CD](12 Tone/Aftermath)
Paak continues his upward climb on the last of his Beach series. Working with Dr. Dre and Madlib, Paak pays tribute to his home. Like The Internet, Paak and his band The Free Naturals are out to restore musical authenticity to Hip-Hop as he taps into sunny Seventies funk ("Tints" with Kendrick Lamar.) When Paak ventures into more mechanical grooves ("Who R U?,") he shows a true talent for skillful rhyming around rhythms. Cuts like "Bubblin'" even manage to put a fresh perspective on the tropes that appear in most Hip-Hop today.
The GOOD, THE BAD and THE QUEEN
Merrie Land
[LP/CD](Warner Bros.)
Damon Albarn is one busy collaborator. Once he puts his Gorillaz down for a rest, he reconvenes the heavier, evocative rumble of this side project from 2005. With the pulsating African drum legend Tony Allen and The Clash's Paul Simonon behind Albarn, "Merrie Land" paints a dark, gloomy picture of today's England. "Merrie Land" is a bit like a carnival ride; what seems sunny (lots of baroque instrumentation from master producer Tony Visconti) is seen through a funhouse mirror swirl leaving you feeling a bit dizzy.
