This week in the reviews we've got country, jazz, R&B, singer/songwriter pop and whatever the heck you'd call what Beck and Walter Becker do. Herewith the capsules:
Beck's new album is a "dizzying synopsis of the collage master's sonic statement," says Edna Gundersen, and she's just getting warmed up.
>Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis' live album is seen by Brian Mansfield as a continuation of the pairing of American music legends Jimmie Rodgers and Louis Armstrong.
Ron Sexsmith's latest reminds Elysa Gardner of "an earthy-crunchy Boz Scaggs."
Dwele's neo-soul stylings are "silky" enough for Steve Jones, but he could use a little more tempo.
Walter Becker, recording solo, apart from Steely Dan, for the first time in 14 years, offers "witty, impeccably arranged tunes," Elysa reports.
Full reviews and links for listening samples follow.
This week's spotlight album:
* * * 1/2 -- Guilt-edged pleasure
Modern Quilt
At 33 minutes, Modern Guilt serves as a dizzying synopsis of the collage master’s long-unfolding sonic statement. The 10-track set, co-produced by Danger Mouse, invites all of Beck’s obsessions to the party, from trippy guitars and hip-hop rhythms to bossa nova, spacy reggae and surf-rock. Cosmic electronica counters earthy folk and blues, just as psychedelic dazzle and blast-off dance beats contradict emotional threads of dread, spiritual angst and urban anxiety.
As usual, sounds trump lyrics, though Beck’s surreal wordplay suits the environmental nightmare of Gamma Ray and paranoia of Chemtrails. Not just a guilty pleasure, Modern is retro-contemporary fusion for the ages. — Edna Gundersen
This article take from usatoday.com
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