Billboard singles reviews: Dashboard, Petty

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Three years after the modern-rock smash "Hands Down," Chris Carrabba's Dashboard Confessional returns with an atmospheric midtempo anthem full of mature melodic muscle.

Kicking off with a wordless arena sing-along that could make Bono blush, "Don't Wait" boasts a simple melody and soaring chorus that takes one by surprise. More focused than ever, the super-sensitive Carrabba squeezes the essence out of his punk-folk but keeps his sad-boy lyrics smart and poetic. At a time when most emo startups are trying to be Fall Out Boy, Dashboard steps on the brakes and reaches for U2, a wise move that will resonate with '80s-friendly modern-rock radio.

ARTIST: TOM PETTY

SINGLE: SAVING GRACE (Warner Bros. Records)

Currently on tour with the Heartbreakers,

Tom Petty is ready at last to share some new material. "Saving Grace" begins with a spare, Bo Diddley-style blues that builds to a roadhouse shuffle. The guitars are kept deliciously gritty, giving the song a fresh garage-like feel, and Petty's stoner vocals are as laid-back and nostalgic as ever. A classic-sounding ode to restlessness, "Saving Grace" is the perfect prelude to "Highway Companion," Petty's first solo album since 1994's Rick Rubin-produced "Wildflowers," and his first for Rubin's American Recordings label. The cut is off to a kick-start at triple-A (adult alternative album) radio; more important, it proves that Petty still knows how to rock.

ARTIST: BO BICE

SINGLE: U MAKE ME BETTER (RCA Records)

With "U Make Me Better," Bo Bice moves a step closer to embracing his rock roots. Unlike his debut midtempo sleeper hit, "The Real Thing," Bice's vocals sound less processed and are graciously surrounded by catchy guitar riffs. But it still seems the Season 4 "American Idol" runner-up is off track in terms of showing what he's really about. Although his Southern rock style won over "Idol" fans, gold debut album "The Real Thing" is a bit too much on the buttery popcorn side, albeit with an organic template. Let's hope that he is able to endure this chapter with enough success to bring around the real goods on a sophomore set.

ARTIST: METHOD MAN

SINGLE: SAY (Island Def Jam)

"4:21 ... The Day After," Method Man's first solo album since 2004's poorly received and critically chastised "Tical 0: The Prequel," marks the glorious return of Wu-Tang Clan's wittiest MC. His debut single, "Say," features Lauryn Hill singing Bob Marley's classic "So Much Things to Say" on the hook as Meth turns the spotlight's glare on his harshest critics to give the music industry a re-education in what the game is all about. "Radio blinded/That ain't where the hip-hop lives/It live in the streets/We eat to live/They living to eat." Hill's soulful vocals, like silk on sandpaper, soar harmoniously over Meth's notorious gravel-like flow, delivering a heartfelt message with a lighthearted vibe. With its lyrical brilliance and head-bobbing beat, this hot summer single will have even radio singing along while it restores Method to the hip-hop madness.

ARTIST: LeTOYA

SINGLE: TORN (Capitol Records)

Former Destiny's Child member LeToya Luckett proves her solo potential with heart-wrenching first single, "Torn." The topic is familiar -- whether to stay in a trying relationship. Amid the singer's laments ("A part of me wants to leave you alone/A part of me wants for you to come home") are weeping strings and keys that sample

Mary J. Blige's similarly expressive single "You Are Everything." As of this week, "Torn" is struggling to reach the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, though its video is a viewer favorite on countdown shows. While her vocals are not as soaring as, say, Beyonce's, this cut shows that LeToya has all the goods that she needs to break into the big time.

ARTIST: FAITH HILL

SINGLE: SUNSHINE AND SUMMERTIME (Warner Bros. Records)

The latest single from

Faith Hill's "Fireflies" album is a peppy, uptempo cottonball, custom-made for the seasonal radio airwaves. Penned by

John Rich, Rodney Clawson and Kylie Sackley, the lyric is chock-full of such summery images as barefoot ladies, cool Coronas and backyard parties. Production is light, breezy and happy, letting Hill's vocal take center stage.

Kenny Chesney's parallel "Summertime" has already beat Hill to the top of the charts, but with her beloved heritage -- and a hot summer tour alongside hubby

Tim McGraw -- there's likely room for a little more sun across the country skyline.

ARTIST: JACK INGRAM

SINGLE: LOVE YOU (Big Machine)

Though the title might suggest a mushy romantic ballad, this song is the polar opposite. Teeming with attitude, it's a tongue-in-cheek rant from a guy at the end of his rope. Ingram turns in a personality-packed performance that's dripping with sarcasm and defiance. His last single, "Wherever You Are," made it to the top of the chart, and it looks like Ingram has finally made the leap from regional favorite to national star. This cool little single should keep him on that successful track.

ARTIST: CROSSFADE

SINGLE: INVINCIBLE (Columbia Records)

While South Carolina-based rock act Crossfade has generated major motion on rock radio with "Cold" and "So Far Away," the band has yet to tickle the mainstream airwaves. "Invincible" signifies the discovery track for a band that could be compared to Staind, Saliva or Nickelback with its ceramic wall of sound and big-ass hooks. This undeniable windows-down summer anthem actually makes the price of gas (given the extra mile to sing along) seem justified. Singer/guitarist Ed Sloan has the flame-throwing vocal chops -- and good hair -- to remain relevant on rock radio, but there's also a vulnerable appeal to the outfit as a whole that could easily foster "next big thing" status on pop outlets.

Reuters/Billboard