Jeff BeckEmotion and CommotionRhino Records
One would think the 65-year-old rocker would begin to slow down. This is not the case, as after writing and performing for more than 40 years, guitar virtuoso Jeff Beck is not only still performing, but also exploring new genres. His 17th studio album “Emotion and Commotion” has mostly classical overtones, with covers like “Corpus Christi Carol” and “Over the Rainbow” being definite standouts. Though just as capable as his Yardbirds bandmate Eric Clapton, Beck hasn’t fallen victim to sticking to one style in writing well into his ‘60s. Rather, this is a musician who is still searching and has no plans to stop any time soon.
B. BOURGEOIS
B+Kate NashMy Best Friend is YouFiction
Kate Nash never fails to craft catchy tunes, but her second album cannot match the zeal of debut “Made of Bricks.” Nash is known for her risqué, expletive-filled girl-power anthems, and this album is plastered with off-the-wall musicality reminiscent of a more soprano-sounding Karen O from Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The problem with the album is its hit-and-miss quality. Some songs capitalize on Nash’s unique British pop, while others’ subversive lyrics crash and burn placed amidst sometimes noisy, uneven tones. Nash’s sound is crafty and original, but this effort is not cohesive enough to serve as a successful follow-up.
M. JACOBS
C+
 
Sharon Jones ane the Dap-KingsI Learned the Hard WayDaptone
Sharon Jones and her backing band, the Dap-Kings, continue to revive the best of ’60s Motown soul and ’70s funk with “I Learned the Hard Way.” Jones’ booming, emotive voice is backed throughout the album by lavish and gritty instrumentals, complete with horn blasts and muscular funk. She spends most of the album crooning about the woes of everything from love and scorn to money and childhood in an upfront, suprisingly intimate way. The album is certainly a throwback, but it feels uniquely contemporary, making “Hard Way” more an ultimate tribute to the heyday of soul and less an unoriginal copy of the era.
B+
 
Death at a FuneralParabolic Pictures Inc.
“Death at a Funeral,” a remake of the 2007 British film of the same name, only hits the right note when the comedy leans toward high-brow. The movie isn’t so much remade as it is re-situated, with the setting moved from an austere British home to a rowdy Los Angeles suburb. The film begins with a corpse mix-up and ends with naked ravings on a roof. In between, the comedy ranges from outright hilarious to predictably awkward. Stars Martin Lawrence and Chris Rock mesh well on screen, but the tone of “Funeral” usually feels forced, and the comedy is mediocre throughout.
C
 
The VanguardPLAYTIME!Rethink Pop Music
On their second EP, the New York-based quartet once again delights with six upbeat indie-pop tracks with strong intros, varied instrumentation and interesting vocals. Just like the album artwork and title suggest, the songs have a playful and whimsical feel. The band’s colorful sound has traces of the varied ethnic backgrounds of its members, hailing from Virginia, Poland, Serbia and Buenos Aires. While it is somewhat lacking in variety from song to song, the album is cohesive with a consistently light and fun sound, making it perfect for summertime listening.   
E. CLAUSEN
B
 
Editor’s Pick:
Bobby Ray A.K.A. B.o.B.B.o.B. Presents: the Adventures of Bobby RayGrand Hustle, Atlantic
Like his two names suggest, Atlanta native Bobby Ray, or B.o.B., has an identity crisis. But it’s the good kind. He’s at times a reincarnation of old school Outkast, sometimes Wyclef Jean and sometimes Kid Cudi. But he plays multiple instruments, too. It’s more likely he’s worth more than the celebrity sum of his part — and he’s only 21. He’s famous for his single “Nothin’ On You,” but he’s far more eclectic than that — he’s a rapper, producer, singer and multi-instrument connoisseur. His album “B.o.B. Presents: the Adventures of Bobby Ray” is due April 27, and his mixtape “B.o.B. Vs. Bobby Ray” is packed with 22 gems. He was featured alongside Asher Roth and Wale on the cover of XXL Magazine’s “Hip-Hop’s Class of ‘09” last year. Ray’s debut, produced by T.I.’s label, features Lupe Fiasco, Eminem, Weezer and a loop of Vampire Weekend’s “Kids Don’t Stand a Chance.” And if you close your eyes, you might think his Atlanta drawl in “I’ll Be in the Sky” is Andre 3k himself.
S. LAWSON