Dashboard Confessional
"Dusk and Summer"; Vagrant Records
Two-and-a-half stars (out of four)
Whether it's a sign of maturity or a sign of the times, emo icon Chris Carrabba seems to be discovering that there's a world beyond his navel. Working with Pearl Jam and Linkin Park producer Don Gilmore and longtime U2 collaborator Daniel Lanois, Carrabba and his bandmates deliver more muscular, outward-looking, even anthemic rockers. Carrabba's croon, which still evokes a more technically proficient Robert Smith, retains its keening earnestness, whether he's espousing pacifism on "Slow Decay" or gasping for air, or faith, or something, on "Reason to Believe."
Recommended if you like: Bright Eyes; Elliot Smith; Saves the Day
-- Elysa Gardner, USA Today
Particle
"Transformations Live: For the People"; Shout! Factory
Three stars (out of four)
For Particle, it is a transformation.
Vocals and new guitarists bring a mix to the jam band's electronica-themed rock that could bring new fans and, possibly, isolate some older fans.
Both get treats in the two-disc album, "Transformations Live: For the People." The live album features recordings from performances in San Francisco and Hollywood.
The tracks on this album are different than what fans have come to expect, but that's mainly because of the vocals. On the first listen, I wasn't sure about the slightly different sound. The instrumental music, for which the band drew a following, doesn't take center stage on all tracks.
In a lot of cases it works, such as in "Ghetto Queen," where the airy quality of the vocals seems to take a place beside the other instruments, working in tandem to create an infused sound that smoothly moves.
The pace of the songs -- two of which are with Blackalicious -- still have the funk, dance groove mixed with Phish-like jam undertones.
And the addition of the new guitarists really does transform parts of the band's sound on this disc, rounding out spots that needed a little more layering to produce the intended musical effect.
NOTE: Particle plays July 13 at the Crystal Bay Club Casino.
RIYL: Lotus; Disco Biscuits; Widespread Panic; Morphine; Phish
-- Kelly Scott, Reno Gazette-Journal
India.Arie
"Testimony Vol. 1: Life and Relationship"; Universal
Three-and-a-half stars (out of four)
The acclaimed singer-songwriter always seems to find a silver lining, even when heartache and struggle are involved.
"There's Hope" finds her picking up the pieces from a broken relationship, and "Heart of the Matter" shows her penchant for forgiveness. On "This Too Shall Pass," she expresses confidence that better times are on the way. And on the Akon-aided single "I Am Not My Hair," she refuses to let superficial beauty standards define who she is. The same can be said about her approach to music.
The live instrumentation provides welcome relief from the usual overly produced R&B albums and sets her above the industry norm.
RIYL: Alicia Keys; Macy Gray; Prince
-- Steve Jones, USA Today
Mindi Abair
"Life Less Ordinary"; GRP/Universal
Three stars (out of four)
Third time's the charm for Mindi. Her skillful sax play has been joined by compositions and sensibilities that match -- for an entire album. Not to denigrate anyone, but she's no female one hit wonder jazz instrumentalist.
Abair has demonstrated that she has more up her sleeve than smooth jazz and adult pop airplay. She's got some progressive bones upon which to jones. Maybe there are no classics -- music that subsequent generations will deem must-cover hits -- but she has established a path younger jazz popsters will want to follow.
Abair is actually progressive on a few tracks -- "Do You Miss Me," "Long Ride Home," "Rain" and "Bloom." Her journey into this sonic terrain is assisted by her writing partner-producer Matthew Hager.
A unique standout track is the cover of Rickie Lee Jones' "It Must Be Love," featuring Abair on vocals backed by Lathaway and the inimitable Keb' Mo' in a dobro solo.
RIYL: Kirk Whalum; Gerald Albright
-- Michael Martinez, Reno Gazette-Journal
Various artists
"Strummin' With the Devil: The Southern Side of Van Halen"; CMH
Three stars (out of four)
There's joy in hearing oft-played pop songs reworked in different genres, thus this bluegrass tribute to hard-rock mainstay Van Halen.
The combination seems strange, but it works because Van Halen made its name embellishing elementary rock tunes with guitarist Eddie Van Halen's virtuosic playing, and great bluegrass is nothing more than simple songs shored by frenetic picking and emotional vocals.
Former Van Halen singer David Lee Roth makes a guest appearance on new arrangements of "Jump" and "Jamie's Cryin,'" both performed delightfully by the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band. "Cryin'" succeeds completely, and "Jump" would have been the best cut on the album had a country singer performed it.
As presented, Roth's vocals are more stadium rock than Appalachian stomp.
From a marketing standpoint, Roth's inclusion is mammoth, but the album's best tracks allow the bluegrass vets to cut loose on their own. Particularly enjoyable is Blue Highway's smoking reading of "I'll Wait" and Cornbread Red's harmony-filled version of "Panama."
There are dogs, of course, the most prominent being a lifeless reading of "Feel Your Love Tonight" by Tony Trischka, Dudley Connell, Marshall Wilborn and Dave McLaughlin.
Thankfully, there are more hits than misses on the 15-track collection, and the winners cleverly bridge the gap between hard rock and acoustic music, offering something for fans of both genres.
RIYL: Early Van Halen; Nickel Creek; Pat Boone's "In a Metal Mood"
-- Forrest Hartman, Reno Gazette-Journal
