A- Dwight Yoakam
Second Hand Heart
Warner Bros.
Dwight Yoakam's on a roll again. After 2012's fine 3 Pears, his latest, Second Hand Heart, crackles with energy and drive as it deals with adult love in its hurts and heartaches. Yoakam, who inhabits a distinct space in American music, seems to have reconnected with the spirit of his early albums in their embrace of California country/rock, traditional country and edgy punk.
He's tapped into Buck Owens and the Bakersfield sound again (the cool "Off Your Mind"), but his broad musical palette also embraces a more disciplined take on cowpunk (wait until you hear the classic "Man of Constant Sorrow"), fiery rockabilly ("The Big Time") and a ringing, melodic sound that recalls The Byrds as it rolls through superb originals and a pair of covers.
The listener never gets completely cozy with a groove before it changes. That gives Second Hand Heart an adventurousness -- a real propulsive quality that is engagingly melodic.
And the lyrics, minimal and expressive, impress ... particularly on the title song: "Pick up all those small hopes back off the ground/'Cause after years of tears it's hard to say what's up or down/So if you will I'll try to start/And take the chance that we might fall apart."
This is an album to savor. Classic Yoakam.
Hot tracks: "Believe," "Man of Constant Sorrow," the sweet "V's of Birds," "Off Your Mind," "Second Hand Heart."
-- ELLIS WIDNER
B Blur
The Magic Whip
Warner Bros
Blur's members were British pop flag bearers in the 1990s, waging a media-driven battle with Oasis for the musical soul of cool Britannia.
Since then, the band has engaged in remarkably varied pursuits. Bassist Alex James is a successful cheese maker, drummer Dave Rowntree is a lawyer and singer Damon Albarn's musical career has taken in everything from dub to West African music to opera.
Blur's first studio album in 12 years finds them older and perhaps wearier, but full of creative brio.
Produced by longtime collaborator Stephen Street, the album is a characteristic mix of the global and the parochial. "Lonesome Street," one of the standout tracks, is distinctly Kinks-y in its vocal harmonies and references to London buses and suburban trains. "The Magic Whip" is infused with Albarn's wanderlust and penchant for bittersweet reflection.
The album mixes that melancholy strain with Graham Coxon's passionate guitar and the sinuous -- even funky -- rhythm section of Rowntree and James, then adds electronic blips and production playfulness.
The Magic Whip shows Blur can still charm and delight.
Hot tracks: "Lonesome Street," "New World Towers," the punky "I Broadcast."
-- JILL LAWLESS,
The Associated Press
A Tony Bennett & Bill Evans
The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings
Fantasy
Forty years ago, the wonderfully intimate The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album was recorded. A year later came Together Again. Both were improvisational, almost low-key sets of American standards that were executed with a breathtaking intimacy and superlative musicality.
The albums were combined for CD release in 2009 with two bonus songs and 20 alternate versions.
With the booming comeback of recordings on vinyl, this music (including bonus and alternate tracks) has been released on a 180-gram vinyl boxed set, which includes a 12-page booklet and liner notes by Will Friedwald, who worked with Bennett on his autobiography.
Bennett was in his late 40s when these sessions were held and was in the prime of his voice. His impeccable phrasing and Evans' brilliant improvisations make this a must for jazz fans.
Hot tracks:: all.
-- ELLIS WIDNER
B Calexico
Edge of the Sun
Anti
Calexico's ninth studio album is a sonic road trip through the American Southwest, the roots of rock 'n' roll, the music of Mexico and more.
Edge of the Sun mixes cumbia and mariachi sounds with guitar and pedal steel. There are dollops of everything from folk to electronica, mixed with verve and culture-crossing curiosity.
Core Calexicans Joey Burns -- vocals and guitar -- and multi-instrumentalist John Convertino are joined by guests Iron & Wine, Neko Case, Ben Bridwell from Band of Horses, Mexican singer Carla Morrison, Spanish musician Amparo Sanchez and members of the Greek group Takim.
"Falling From the Sky" is buoyed by jaunty trumpets. "Bullets and Rocks" is a moodily entrancing meditation on migration, while "When the Angels Played" is a harmonica-soaked country charmer. Mexican sounds blossom on "Cumbia de Donde," the instrumental "Coyoacan" and the brooding "Beneath the City of Dreams."
Burns' weathered, wistful voice lends a sense of restless yearning. At its best, Edge of the Sun is retro, modern and timeless.
Hot tracks:"Falling From the Sky," "Cumbia de Donde," "Bullets and Rocks."
-- JILL LAWLESS,
The Associated Press
Style on 05/05/2015