Music: CD reviews
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CHRIS CORNELL
Scream
Alt Rock, dream pop, R&B / Interscope RecordsBaseball fans might remember Rick Ankiel, the St. Louis Cardinals phenom pitcher who mysteriously lost his ability to throw strikes, ending his pitching career. Timbaland is having an Ankiel moment. His shepherding of former Soundgarden and Audioslave front man Chris Cornell's solo album is a fascinating but heartbreaking document of how many wrong decisions one can make. The idea of Cornell's sex-god wail over Timbaland's mechanized funk is appealing. But "Scream" draws out the worst tendencies in both of them.
August Brown, Los Angeles Times
Overview: Fans of inventive pop and rock music can only hope that both Timbaland and Cornell have similar comebacks in them.
1 star
KELLY CLARKSON
All I Ever Wanted
Pop / Sony BMG
Kelly Clarkson fought for creative control on 2007's "My December" — an album that was gloomier, less accessible and more personal than its predecessors. Label boss Clive Davis reacted like she'd just plopped "Metal Machine Music" on his desk, and promoted it accordingly. After an embarrassing tour cancellation and relatively lackluster sales, Clarkson is back with a bigger, brighter pop-rock album. Her pipes are among the most powerful in the pop business, and they're well showcased and stretched on "All I Ever Wanted," from the goody-goody bubblegum pop of "I Do Not Hook Up" to the somber shades of her ballads to — her specialty — the dramatic "boy done me wrong" rockers.Andy McKibbin, Metromix
Overview: There are abundant hooks, along with some pleasant stylistic surprises. The star is back. Or maybe she never left.
4 stars
J. HOLIDAY
Round 2
R&B / Capitol
J. Holiday (born Nahum Grymes) is the biggest R&B singer to come out of Washington, D.C., since Johnny Gill rubbed ladies the right way back in the '80s, albeit with a bit more of a rugged and streetwise presentation than Gill ever attempted. Two years ago, Holiday's single "Bed" and debut album "Back of My Lac'" both went top 10 and were certified gold. He hopes to equal or better that feat with the follow-up, "Round 2." He sings well enough to carry the album by himself, but the lone guest appearance by Miami rapper Rick Ross on "Wrong Lover" is a welcome and catchy addition.Tamara Palmer, Metromix
Overview: Holiday once again comfortably rides his edginess so that he can appeal to men as well as women, offering a well-rounded collection of songs of empathy as well as sexual ecstasy.
4 stars
RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS
Underneath the Owl
Punk, mainstream / Volcom
After several successful stints at South by Southwest and some nice press accolades (from the likes of Rolling Stone, Spin and, well, Metromix), this Austin, Texas, garage-punk band feels like it's on the verge of stardom. If only they had the breakthrough song ... The hype on the Gamblers comes from their unparalleled live show. "Owl" marks the band's first real attempt to construct a true mainstream album. They get close: Metal producer Mudrock coats the Gamblers' ramshackle punk in a radio-friendly sheen, and the band itself seems intent on creating something more than good energy. "A Choppy, Yet Sincere Apology" and "Pilgrims in an Unholy Land" successfully dabble with ska/reggae rhythms.Kirk Miller, Metromix
Overview: Overall, it's not quite a mainstream breakthrough, but hey ... the songs'll still kick butt in concert.
4 stars
