CD Reviews

Kisses on the Bottom/Hear Music

My first reaction upon hearing that Paul McCartney had recorded an album of covers from the Great American Songbook was, "Really?"

Paul, buddy, you don't need to follow in the footsteps of Rod Stewart, trying to reignite a stalled career with an album of standards.

Then I took a listen and read the liner notes. Perhaps not too surprisingly, "Kisses on the Bottom" is a solid cover album. Not only did McCartney borrow jazz singer Diana Krall and her band, he called in favors from such rock luminaries as Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder.

No, this is not your average cover album of standards. For starters, Macca thankfully doesn't drag out the same dozen or so standards that end up on vanity projects. Sir Paul actually makes some intriguing choices, including "Home (When the Shadows Fall)," "We Three (My Echo, My Shadow and Me)" and "The Inchworm."

McCartney's voice is gentle and soothing, and there is a sense of classiness about the project. Krall's backing band definitely enhance songs such as "The Glory of Love" and "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive," and more common selections such as "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" feel anything but tired.

Well done, Sir Paul. (A-)

Key Tracks: "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," "The Glory of Love," "The Inchworm"

Who's Feeling Young Now?/Nonesuch

If you know the name Chris Thile, then you're already into his current band, Punch Brothers, or perhaps you dug his previous outfit, Nickel Creek. While he demonstrates a genuine love for traditional bluegrass music, the mandolin player does not ever seem content to just play in the same manner as those who originated the musical style. God bless him for that.

Music is meant to be a form of personal expression, and Thile is a master at expressing himself. After collaborating with Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan and Edward Meyer for the classical/newgrass hybrid project "The Goat Rodeo Sessions," Thile and the rest of Punch Brothers have put their heads together and emerged with "Who's Feeling Young Now?"

While still retaining the slightest traces of bluegrass in its soul, "Who's Feeling Young Now?" goes all over the place stylistically. From the hip-hop influenced title track to more abstract compositions such as the beautiful "Movement and Location," this is a thinking man's bluegrass. The band even sneaks in a cover of Radiohead's "Kid A."

If there were more Chris Thiles in the world, then music would be infinitely more interesting than it already is. (A)

Key Tracks: "Movement and Location," "Who's Feeling Young Now?," "New York City"

Scars & Stories/Epic

The Denver-based band The Fray has come a long way since releasing its debut album, "How to Save a Life," in 2005. The breakout single "Over My Head (Cable Car)" was the fifth most downloaded song that year.

After a tepid self-titled sophomore release, The Fray is back for another try, and if the first couple of songs are any indication, the band members are swinging for the fences.

But hyped-up enthusiasm doesn't always mean quality.

"Scars & Stories," the band's latest effort, is wildly uneven. Kickoff tracks such as "Heartbeat" and "The Fighter" all but club the listener over the head.

Lead singer Isaac Slade's vocals at times seem almost comical as he spits out lyrics such as "Oh, you got a fire, and it's burning in the rain" with such intensity that you can almost hear the tendons in his neck pull tight through the speakers.

To be fair, there are some nice moments on the album, especially the song "I Can Barely Say."

The Fray already has elevated itself into the weird realm of adult contemporary rock inhabited by band's such as Train and Matchbox Twenty. That's not a bad place to be for album sales, but perhaps they should throttle back on the intensity factor. (C+)

Key Tracks: "1961," I Can Barely Say," "Rainy Zurich"