Billboard album reviews: Pet Shop Boys, Atlantic Soul

ARTIST: PET SHOP BOYS

ALBUM: FUNDAMENTAL

NEW YORK (Billboard) - There is something quite comforting about a new Pet Shop Boys album. Neil Tennant's vocals always manage to soothe and, when necessary, invigorate. The same is true of Chris Lowe's electronic wizardry. To be sure, Boys Tennant and Lowe, accompanied here by producer

Trevor Horn, offer much comfort on "Fundamental." The nightclub-primed electro beats that the duo helped pioneer in the '80s are present, as are lushly arranged, chilled-out moments of bliss. Fans are treated to politically alive anthems ("I'm With Stupid," "Integral") and tales from the broken-hearts club ("I Made My Excuses and Left," "Indefinite Leave to Remain"). But though "The Sodom and Gomorrah Show" is one of the best-named songs ever, it's not a great song. Neither is "Luna Park." For greatness, look to the irresistibly melodic "Twentieth Century," the New Order-hued "Minimal" and the Diane Warren-penned ballad "Numb."

ARTIST: VARIOUS

ALBUM: ATLANTIC UNEARTHED: SOUL BROTHERS (Rhino Records)

During its formative years, Atlantic Records was known as the "house that Ruth built" -- an acknowledgement of the formidable hit-making reign of R&B singer

Ruth Brown during the '50s. Fortifying the label's soul foundation between the mid-'60s and '70s were a host of talented male and female singers, many of whom appear on the "Atlantic Unearthed" series of quite satisfying single-disc compilations. Each 16-song CD features remastered versions of B-sides, hard-to-find singles and previously unreleased tracks. The treats include

Aretha Franklin's gospel-tinged take on Frank Sinatra's signature "My Way" and unreleased gems by Donny Hathaway ("What a Woman Really Means") and

Wilson Pickett ("Can't Stop a Man in Love"). Adding to the discs' allure are selections by such overlooked singers as Percy Wiggins ("Book of Memories") and ex-gospel singer Laura Lee, whose "What a Man" sparkled some 25 years before Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue were a gleam in anyone's eyes. First and foremost, however, this collection pointedly underscores the style and substance frequently missing in today's R&B music.

ARTIST: MR. LIF

ALBUM: MO' MEGA (Definitive Jux)

Mr. Lif enjoys status as the architect of some of the rap world's most visceral polemics, both as a solo artist and with his Perceptionists. Strange then that "Mo' Mega" uses all its political juice in its first half, turning midway through to more generalized Everyman stories and, disappointingly, fairly standard sophomore album tales from the road such as "Long Distance," with its awkward sex talk, or the throwaway "Washitup!," which rehashes De La Soul's tossed-off-in-its-own-right "A Little Bit of Soap." Lif's in good hands production-wise, as El-P furnishes a grand storm of rock on "Collapse" and "Take, Hold, Fire!" Lif's desire to broaden his material with generation-jumping stories of family ("Looking In ..." and "For You") is well-meaning, but his own fierce catalog makes "Mega" seem like a missed opportunity.

ARTIST: GUSTER

ALBUM: GANGING UP ON THE SUN (Reprise Records)

On its fifth studio release, Boston dorm darling Guster brings the noise. The formerly acoustic band cranks up the guitars while sticking to catchy melodies that feel as safe as a cuddly college sweatshirt. After starting with a softly entrancing track, "Ganging Up on the Sun" quickly becomes Guster's loudest and most ambitious effort to date. Standouts like the Fleetwood Mac-rubbed "Satellite" or "Ruby Falls," a sprawling, Pink Floyd-ish ballad, are unabashed pop anthems dressed in classic-rock threads. And if there are bursts of political dissent ("Manifest Destiny"), cheerful nostalgia often wins. On "One Man Wrecking Machine," singer Ryan Miller travels back to high school to finally make out with the homecoming queen ("I want to relive my adolescent dreams/ Inspired by true events and movies screens").

ARTIST: SALIF KEITA

ALBUM: M'BEMBA (Decca Records)

Keita's 2002 album, "Mouffou," was an all-acoustic sensation that found him revisiting his West African roots. "M'Bemba" is very much of the same spirit, as Keita digs into his Malian background and devises a musical tribute to his ancestor Soundiata Keita, founder of the 12th century Mandingo Empire. With masterful assistance from Mama Sissoko (ngoni lute) and Toumani Diabate (kora), Keita and producer Jean Lamoot have crafted a dynamic, evocative record, rich in groove and atmosphere. Bamako may not be on your itinerary this year, but the wondrous vibe of "Calculer" and "Kamoukie" will take you there. Elsewhere, "Ladji" offers an intriguing collaboration between Keita and Buju Banton. The title track is simply gorgeous, and Keita's vocals throughout are typically astonishing. "M'Bemba" is easily one of the top world music releases of 2006.

ARTIST: FIRST CALL

ALBUM: REJOICE! AN A CAPPELLA HYMNS COLLECTION (Discovery House Music)

This stunning hymns collection demonstrates there's no instrument more compelling than the human voice -- especially when you've got the voices of Mel Tunney, Bonnie Keen and Marty McCall. Longtime Christian music fans will rejoice when they hear this project, which reunites the three original First Call members. Here they open with "Doxology" and proceed to serve up gorgeous a cappella arrangements of some of the church's best-loved hymns. Among the highlights are "The Solid Rock," "How Deep the Father's Love for Us," "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and "Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)." During the past few years, there have been numerous hymns projects released in the Christian market, but hearing these wonderful voices perform these classics a cappella is a taste of heaven right here on Earth.

Reuters/Billboard