THE DOVES
“Some Cities”
½ (two and one half stars)
Capitol Records
YOU have to work at liking the Doves’ latest, a concept album where the band looks for the angels in the details of their U.K. hometown, Manchester.
It’s an ambitious disc that’s probably too heady for a hip-pop world. When the Doves cry on “Cities,” it’s about lost innocence and the inevitability of change. This record chronicles a city in flux and is a remembrance of things past.
On the first spin most of the 11 songs smacked of mope, but with familiarity, tunes like “Walk In Fire” and “Someday Soon” lose their pokiness.
This disc also benefits from being listened to on headphones. The direct-to-ear sound highlights the layered rock orchestration and interplay between band and singer Jimi Goodwin.
JUDAS PRIEST
“Angel of Retribution”
(three stars)
Epic
HARD rock pioneers Judas Priest have dusted off their twin guitar attack and banshee wails for their latest soiree of forged-in-hell metal.
The headbanging followers of Priest will hail Satan for not leading this band into the temptation of electronic metal or pop. This is straight ahead, gig-neck metal featuring pounding drums, bone crunching guitars and strangled squeals from Rob Halford – music’s original leatherboy.
The lyrics are often edged in violence, sex and gothic cool. While fans will find this a near flawless collection – with the exception of the snoringly awful ballad “Angel” – the album’s clear-cut standouts are “Revolution,” “Deal With the Devil” and “Demonizer.”
To really enjoy this disc, play it loud and keep the shotgun unloaded.
JENNIFER LOPEZ
“Rebirth”
three and a half stars
Epic Records
FORGET everything you know about Jennifer Lopez – especially the Grammy whammy,when she tanked on TV in a deadly dull duet with hubby Marc Anthony. On her new album,Jenny from the block uses hip-hop,rock and Latin to
immerse herself in a New York pop vibe.This is a record with urban edge that captures the hustles of street
corners and high society – two worlds that cut heads in Lopez ‘s life. “Rebirth ” marks a new direction for the singer whose past work has always been radio-friendly but lacked substance.The melodies here fit her breathy vocals and the lyrics match the history of her raggedy romances.
Lots of the credit for this disc goes to Lopez ‘s longtime producer,Cory Rooney,who laid the percussions on thick,ditched the strings and kept Jennifer ‘s voice in front of the band.
From the first song and the current single “Get Right,” you know this isn ‘t a typical hip-pop record.That opener rips with a sawing trumpet riff,Lopez ‘s voice melts into the brass and then the tune flexes its muscle with double-time percussions.This song,part jazz,part Latin and all New York,isn ‘t safe music. No doubt it ‘s so risky it will alien-
ate some of her fans,but it will win others who think she ‘s just a curvy piece in music ‘s hype machine.
Just check out her duet with rapper Fat Joe on “Hold You Down,” where the pair recall their friendship from the streets of Spanish Harlem to red-carpet runs,and “Cherry Pie,” where Lopez puts on her best Prince and bakes with sexual innuendo.