Grade: 85/100 Jennifer Hudson’s first track of her new album, “JHUD,” says it all. This woman is “Dangerous” — in a good way for listeners and a bad way for competing...

Grade: 96/100 Illinois native Jeff Tweedy is no stranger to music. In fact, calling Tweedy “intimate” with music would be a gross understatement. Having recently celebrated 20 years with his...

Grade: 95/100 Aphex Twin’s new album, “Syro,” is a monument in the history of electronic music. “Syro” is Aphex Twin’s first release in 13 years, following 2001’...

Grade: 78/100 “Red Band Society” is “The Breakfast Club” in a hospital. You may like this newfound revelation, and you may not, but it’ll be true either way. The main ingredients...

Grade: 92/100 “The Drop” has firmly staked its claim as one of the best films of 2014. Featuring an obvious hook — a remarkable curtain call by James Gandolfini in his final film performance...

Grade: 92/100 The typical New York gangster flick usually features a few tough Italian men, a less than impressive script and a grand dramatic shootout where every beloved and hated character dies as a...

Grade: 90/100 Robert Plant’s 10th solo album is a beautiful thing. “Lullaby and... the Ceaseless Roar” is mostly a series of love songs to the English countryside and the people there. The...

In the last five years, pop-rock band Train has forced its way back into mainstream music with infectious singles like “Hey, Soul Sister,” “Marry Me” and “Drive By.”...

Grade: 70/100 After a flurry of setbacks and stints in rehab and prison, Chris Brown’s long-hyped sixth album “X” has finally seen the light of day. Fans of Brown have awaited the record...

Grade: 79/100 Tim McGraw has been a part of the country music scene long enough to know what he’s doing. That being said, his newest album “Sundown Heaven Town,” has some good hits, but...

Grade: 90/100 Jhené Aiko is that R&B singer you’ve been looking for, if you haven’t found her already. While the singer put out her “Sail Out” EP last year, her debut album...