Comedy

Kathy Griffin — "For Your Consideration" — (Music With A Twist)

I personally find comedian Kathy Griffin alternately annoying and hilarious, depending of what routine she happens to be doing.

The self-appointed Queen of the D-Listers has made a career of loudly dishing on whatever celebrity catches her fancy.

In the liner notes for "For Your Consideration," Griffin freely admits that the album is a shameless attempt to win a Grammy Award for a spoken word album.

There is even a thank-you note to the Grammy powers that be.

On the CD, Griffin is up to her usual shenanigans, describing the risque subject matter about Barbara Walters that got Griffin rebanned from "The View," channeling her complaining mother, and describing why Oprah is officially a god. While Griffin's cable reality series has its moments and her live acts often kill, one gets the feeling that the woman has better material than what is showcased here.

Oh sure, it's funny, but not as hilarious as the hype would have us believe. (C+)

Download These: "My First Rebanning," "Oprah is a Deity," "Wizard of Woz"

Classic crooner

Neil Diamond — "Home Before Dark" — (Columbia)

When Neil Diamond released "12 Songs" a couple of years ago it became the first album by that artist that I could listen to all the way through.

That previous release was understated and reflective, and the producing job by Rick Rubin certainly didn't hurt. Diamond has chosen to leave that winning formula unchanged for his new CD, "Home Before Dark."

While not quite as good as its predecessor, "Home Before Dark" does demonstrate why Diamond has been able to sustain such a lengthy musical career, thanks to songs such as "Pretty Amazing Grace," "Don't Go There" and "The Power of Two." Also good is "Another Day (That Time Forgot)," which features Diamond sharing the microphone with Dixie Chick Natalie Maines.

Diamond's music apparently appeals to a pretty large audience, even in today's music market. With that said, there are still folks out there who have never really warmed to his style. Thanks to Diamond's last couple of quality releases though, even some of the guy's staunchest critics can find something to like about the works of Mr. "Solitary Man." (B+)

Download These: "Pretty Amazing Grace," "The Power of Two," "Another Day (That Time Forgot)"

Retro-pop

Adele — "19" — (XL/Columbia)

It seems that as far as female-driven pop music goes over in Britain these days, the big word is retro.

Everyone from Amy Winehouse to Duffy is cashing in on music that sounds as if it was recorded in the '60s alongside Dusty Springfield, and it is actually nice to have the focus back on the music, rather than the artist (unless, of course, we're talking about Winehouse).

The latest ingenue to adapt the sound similar to Springfield and other '60s female vocalists is Adele, whose debut CD, "19," might be the best example yet of this retro style. A bit folksier than Winehouse or Duffy, Adele might only have been the age signified by her album's title when it was released, but that voice proves to be mature beyond its years.

Listen to songs such as "Hometown Glory" and "Chasing Pavements," and try to deny that Adele's vocals don't have an extraordinary effect.

Other great selections from this solid CD include a cover of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love," and "Crazy For You." Specially marked CDs contain a bonus CD with extra tracks, including a great version of Sam Cooke's "That's It, I Quit, I'm Moving On." Amy Winehouse might have hit the ground first with this new retro-pop sound, but Adele is so far proving to be a much more class act. (A-)

Download These: "Make You Feel My Love," "Chasing Pavements," "That's It, I Quit, I'm Moving On"