My Morning Jacket
Evil Urges
Red/ATO

There are elements of Evil Urges that are straight-ahead rock – perhaps pop-rock – and there are moments when the album takes a few turns that may puzzle the Louisville, KY quintet’s loyal fan-base.

The rock is kept simple this time, but the dynamics used to color it is quite explorative.

2003’s It Still Moves was full of haunting but ethereally glorious rock that stirred the consciousness – almost the wails of singer’s Jim James’ very soul, itself. However, songs like “I’m Amazed” demonstrate the band’s willingness to lighten it up; along with a strong vocal, it resonates with an alt-southern-rock spirit not unlike Drivin N Cryin, which may be the truest testament to My Morning Jacket’s Kentucky roots to date. And “Sec Walkin” dares to be pure-country, featuring a lushly beautiful steel guitar throughout…

…Not that there aren’t moments when the band’s emotive powers are present:

The title-track is illuminated with the other-worldly vocals we’ve come to expect via James’ falsetto whispers, while “Aluminum Park" thrashes a bit more – but not as much as “Remnants,” even if the latter could sooner find itself on the radio.

The biggest curve-ball is definitely “Highly Suspicious” – not so much of a statement as it is merely the song’s title. James’ befuddling Prince-like vocal – yes, that Prince – graces its organic-KMFDM music curiously well.

The album’s gems include the most stripped-down track, the simple acoustic-ode to the forbidden “Librarian,” as well as “Thank You Too!,” an organ-strings-laced mid-tempo lament that softens the blow of James’ attempt to out-sing himself.

Historically, there have always been two faces of My Morning Jacket:

As deeply shivering as their records have been, they’ve maintained a reputation as one of the most mind-whipping bands to ever hit a stage, and “I’m Amazed,” “Remnants” and “Touch Me I’m Going To Scream” will maintain that for them, if not re-define their live-persona.

3.5 out of 5

N.E.R.D.
Seeing Sounds
Interscope

If you ask me to describe N.E.R.D. the best thing I could think of is an electronic punk rock band with a esque crooner for a lead vocalist and a rapper for a background vocalist.

However, No one Ever Really Dies is back with their third studio release. This album is a vast improvement from the last, Fly or Die. It seems they have found a better way to subdue their urges to "blow your mind" on every single track. From the jungle drum patterns on the more commercial tracks, to the smooth R&B chords on bridges, Seeing Sounds definitely displays the bands wealth of musical knowledge.

The cleverness of N.E.R.D. comes from how they approach solving the monotony of Pharell's non-stop falsetto, surrounded with quirky ad-libs and punch-line lyrics to make the listener believe the music isn't meant to be taken seriously. Like it's just a couple of friends who get together, make music to have fun and poof... Seeing Sounds.

When all else fails, they throw in a pop song, although if you read any of their interviews, the N.E.R.D. albums are supposed to be a break from that. If your'e a N.E.R.D. fan, this album is a 5 out of 5

For the rest of you, it's a solid 3 out of 5.

Lil Wayne
Tha Carter III
Cash Money

Does anyone remember when Lil' Wayne was in contest to be the best rapper alive (simply by saying so)? Does anyone remember how many hundreds of songs Lil Wayne made in 2007 alone? Does anyone remember Lil' Wayne learning to play guitar driving the point that he is coming into his own as a musician? I do, and with all that hype, I came into this review with the mindset that this is Wayne's time to shine.

No matter if you think Lil' Wayne is the best rapper alive or not, if you look at the collection of tracks assembling The Carter III and compare it to the material mentioned earlier, the bulk of it matches up pretty evenly. The problem for Wheezy is that we expect much more from an album with so much anticipation. On some songs such as "Mr. Carter," Wayne never seems to catch his groove. This is a double-edged sword, because it is one of the better produced tracks, and it features Jay-Z. Jay is really not the guy you want to share the stage with on an off night.

If you want to nit-pick (which is my job), Wayne still struggles with track-order. The lack of continuity may not be an issue with today's MP3 culture, but a great album it does not make. I really think it is a case of over-exposure. All these mixtapes are saturating his brand. He spent a lot of time in the public eye without an album out. Too much work is killing his career. That has got to be a first.

3 out of 5