May 21, 1:17 p.m.: Musing on new music

Nine random thoughts on some recent releases.

By: Hank Kalet
   Some thoughts on the latest new music:
   1. Wilco, one of my favorite bands, is offering its latest E.P. on its Web site, Wilcoweb.com, free to listeners who purchased their last full-length disc, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot."
   "YHF" was a wonderful, atmospheric disc, full of the playfulness that Jef Tweedy is known for.
   The E.P. is more of the same, with a slightly harder edge to some of the songs. Check it out.
   2. Lucinda Williams’ latest "World Without Tears" is getting some rave reviews, as is Roseanne Cash’s "Rules of Travel." I’m thinking this maybe the weekend to indulge.
   3. The Jayhawks latest — "Rainy Day Music" — is a good mix of pop and country and some ’70s-era guitar rock. As always the disc hinges on the band’s wonderful vocal harmonies. Buy the special edition double disc to get a great live version of "Waiting for the Sun," one of their best songs.
   4. Queens of the Stone Age have what maybe the best single out there, "No One Knows," a loud, guitar- and drum-driven metal romp.
   5. White Stripes’ "Elephant" is a great follow up to their last bluesy, punk disc, "White Blood Cells."
   6. Lou Reed’s "The Raven" is not one of his better discs. Musically, it offers a lush soundscape full of guitars and horns, but the lyrics leave much to be desired. The disc is based on a stage show by Lou that was meant to update Edgar Allen Poe, but ends up sounding self-indulgent and pretentious. I say this as a huge fan of Lour Reed.
   7. Jewel, a passable folkie/singer-songwriter, has remade herself in the dance-diva mode. My question is why. I’ve never been a big fan, but do like some stray songs. The new single, "Intuition," released simultaneously with some new perfume or cosmetics, is really nothing more than recycled dance-pop, a la Christina Aguilera — but without the necessary sleaze that Aguilera brings to the table.
   8. Ricky Martin is back with a new album and you know, I didn’t even realize he was gone. Never missed him. Still don’t.
   9. The Blue Man Group. The Blue Man Group? Yes, The Blue Man Group. I think they are one of the signs of the apocolypse.