Britney Spears
Circus
Jive Records
Grade: A-
Britney Spears’ sixth album, “Circus,” chronicles the pop star’s current life. But instead of a life of partying and clubbing, Spears is now living a life of motherhood and recovery. And the reflective nature of her present life carries over to her record. Catchy pop hits, soulful ballads and more of Spears’ natural voice make “Circus” a near rival of classics “Baby One More Time” and “Oops! ... I Did It Again.” And “Circus” provides solid proof that Spears is back.
V. TOUPS
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The Killers
Day and Age
Mercury Records
Grade: B-
“Day and Age,” the third album from the Vegas quartet, is a hodgepodge of sounds, from rock ‘n’ roll and pop to techno topped with ‘80s synth-pop. And although this album proves the band can effortlessly throw out tracks listeners can rock out or relax to, it lacks the panache that put The Killers on the musical map. So while this album redeems The Killers’ reputation after “Sam’s Town” basically destroyed it, it’s still nothing to fuss over.
D. ZERBY
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Scott Weiland
“Happy” In Galoshes
Softdrive
Grade: B
Ten years after his first solo album, Scott Weiland released “‘Happy’ In Galoshes,” a cultivation of demos from as far back as 2000. Weiland holds nothing back, throwing electronic requiems and acoustic arias at the listener. His highly emotive voice channels everyone from David Bowie to Bob Dylan, while heavily borrowing melodies from the Beach Boys and the Beatles. Weiland’s heart-on-the-sleeve subject matter and trippy song arrangements save the album from being another failed rock star solo disc.
B. LEJEUNE
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Kanye West
808s and Heartbreak
Roc-A-Fella Records
Grade: A-
After achieving major success using high pitched chipmunk squeals over soul samples, Kanye West seems to have done it all. It is no surprise that after a year of unfortunate events, West’s new album would take on a different sound. “808s and Heartbreak” features the use of tribal drums and auto-tuned lyrics with very little rapping. Fans who take into consideration the atmosphere surrounding the recording of the album will find it inspiring and still consider West one of the best artists in the business.
J. LEJEUNE
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Transporter 3
Europa Corp.
Grade: C
Loaded with explosions, car crashes and intense fight scenes, “Transporter 3” is primed to be the action film of the year. Not. Despite the droves of action, this film managed to be quite a bore. “Transporter 3” follows the evolution of Jason Statham’s character Frank, who’s now retired and simply wants to be left alone. That’s where the inexplicably vapid plot comes in. From barrels of toxic waste to several food-based conversations with whiney Natalya Rudakova to Statham’s perpetual shirtlessness, this film is ridiculous, forgettable and totally not worth it.
A. FELIX
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Australia
20th Century Fox
Grade: A-
“Australia” tells the story of Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) as she saves her late husband’s cattle ranch from being taken over by the major cattle competitor in Australia. In the process, she falls in love with Drover (Hugh Jackman). While the film is long, there is never a point where it drags along. The original storyline has enough romance and action to keep both men and women happy.
C. VOGELS
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EDITOR'S PICK — Neil Young
Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House 1968
FOR FANS OF: Crosby, Stills & Nash, James Taylor
“Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House 1968” captures one of Neil Young’s first solo performances after he played his final concert with the group Buffalo Springfield. The set showcases many of Buffalo Springfield’s hits but also features some of Young’s first solo songwriting endeavors. The songs are interspersed with Young’s ramblings and storytellings — only 13 of the listed 23 tracks are music tracks. The outstanding album provides a glimpse at Neil Young as an artist, Neil Young as a storyteller and Neil Young as a person.
S. AYCOCK
Reveille Ranks
Published: Thursday, December 4, 2008
Updated: Thursday, December 4, 2008
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