BJohn Legend
Darkness and Light
Columbia
John Legend's fifth studio album opens with a startling admission. "They say sing what you know, but I've sung what they want," he announces on "I Know Better," copping to allowing the marketplace to shape his art in a way that nearly everyone does but few would admit. Those days are over, he proclaims: "Some folks do what they're told, but, baby, this time I won't."
Legend, of course, has had enormous success singing wedding-dance-worthy ballads, going back to "Ordinary People," from 2004's Get Lifted, on through his 2013 monster hit "All of Me," which he seems to feel (needlessly) guilty about.
Darkness and Light means to situate his richly resonant voice in a more musically adventurous setting, with a socially conscious focus in line with Wake Up!, his 2010 collaboration with The Roots, and the work he did on the 12 Years a Slave soundtrack in 2013.
Darkness shifts focus with the aid of Alabama Shakes producer Blake Mills, who pushes Legend ever so slightly out of his comfort zone. The strategy reaps rewards with the title cut, a stunner of a duet with Brittany Howard, and "Penthouse Floor," with Chance the Rapper as a guest.
Legend sounds energized and engaged throughout, but fans shouldn't worry: This is hardly a radical makeover, and Darkness and Light still makes plenty of room for romance.
Hot tracks: "Darkness and Light," "Penthouse Floor"
-- DAN DELUCA,
The Philadelphia Inquirer
B+Stevie Nicks
Bella Donna
Rhino
Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks made an impressive debut as a solo artist in 1981 with Bella Donna. In this deluxe treatment, the original album has been remastered. The reissue package includes two more CDs: one contains 11 bonus tracks, including a version of "Leather and Lace" without Don Henley; "Blue Lamp" from the Heavy Metal soundtrack; a demo of the title track; and "Sleeping Angel" from the Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack.
The third CD is a 1981 concert, which has solo and Fleetwood Mac hits, including a passionate "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" and a dreamy "Gypsy."
Hot tracks: "Leather and Lace" (without Henley), live versions of "Gypsy," "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" and "Gold Dust Woman"
-- ELLIS WIDNER
BPost Malone
Stoney
Republic
The cocky, Dallas-born rapper/guitarist Post Malone's wonky 2015 smash, "White Iverson," made him a cool contender for a hot minute. So, maybe he didn't follow that hit, dedicated to the 76ers basketball player, with another equally contagious cut, but Malone's debut studio album, Stoney, is subtler and snakier.
Though there's a slight outlaw country flavor to the rap-rockabilly "Broken Whiskey Glass" and the smoldering vocals of "I Fall Apart" (Malone's got a handsome quaver), don't think of young Malone as Kid Rock-Lite. This is salty, soul-flowing hip-hop, from the silk degrees of "Up There" (produced by Pharrell Williams) to the rope-a-dope funk of "Feel," and particularly his dramatic R&B duet with touring pal Justin Bieber on "Deja Vu." After a while, some songs sound repetitive. Malone could have used more of the signature swagger on "White Iverson" (included here), but as debuts go, Malone's is nothing but net.
Hot tracks: "Broken Whiskey Glass," "I Fall Apart," "Feel"
-- A.D. AMOROSI,
The Philadelphia Inquirer
A-Buck Owens & The Buckaroos
The Complete Capitol Singles: 1957-1966
Omnivore
For lovers of country music, it's hard to beat the dean of the Bakersfield Sound, singer-songwriter Buck Owens. The TV series Hee Haw lifted his visibility, but probably damaged his reputation as a creative force in American music.
This two-CD set gathers all the A- and B-side singles in original monophonic sound that the artist produced on Capitol Records. It's refreshing to hear this lean, vibrant honky-tonk music, especially the propulsive musicality of Owens' stellar band The Buckaroos, with the amazing guitarist Don Rich.
The hits included emotional ballads like "Cryin' Time," "Together Again" (also a hit for Emmylou Harris) and "Before You Go," plus rhythmic songs that set toes tapping and packed dance floors such as "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail," "My Heart Skips a Beat" and "Act Naturally" (famously covered by Ringo Starr of The Beatles).
And, there are a few novelties that drew more than a chuckle or two. On "Waitin' in Your Welfare Line," Owens sings: "I've got the hungrys for your love and I'm waitin' in your welfare line."
Owens' music was exhilarating and more modern than one might expect. He was a huge influence on a group of new traditionalists in the '70s and '80s such as Dwight Yoakam, who wrote a short introduction in the booklet. The booklet also has great annotation for those who want to know the recording details.
Hot tracks: "Cryin' Time," "Under the Influence of Love," "Together Again," "Act Naturally," "Love's Gonna Live Here"
-- ELLIS WIDNER
Style on 01/03/2017