Alan Jackson, “Like Red on a Rose”
COUNTRY|Arista, released Sept. 26
Working for the first time with producer Alison Krauss, another country singer who leans on subtlety and tasteful restraint, country star Alan Jackson creates an album, “Like Red on a Rose,” that’s all twilight and velvet.
In the biggest departure of his career, the longtime traditionalist moves away from country instrumentation to focus on smooth adult-contemporary ballads, many about aging and love between a mature couple with a long history.
His second album of 2006 – his gospel collection “Precious Memories” came out in February – Jackson has spent the year proving he can excel outside his country comfort zone. At age 47, he’s trying on new hats without compromising what has made him so enduring.|Michael McCall, The Associated Press
The DFA, “The DFA Remixes Chapter 2”
DANCE/REMIX|DFA/Astralwerks, released today
Remix albums often fall into two categories: the artistic flight of fancy and the booty-shaking dance recast. Most tracks on The DFA’s “Chapter 2” are the latter, although some straddle categories. The DFA, of course, is the impossibly hip, New York dance-rock label co-founded by James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy. On this latest edition they have their way with Hot Chip, N.E.R.D., Nine Inch Nails, Junior Senior, Goldfrapp and sundry others.
An overlong, stale take on Tiga’s “Far From Home” kicks it off, nearly killing the momentum before it can gather. Junior Senior’s “Shake Your Coconuts” follows, reminding us why DFA is such a master of disco rock. Compressed beats, tinny cowbell and rumbling guitars sound borderline comical in their jumpy insistence. The concise length also reinforces that DFA is best when it has something to say.
The Wings-era McCartney vocals on Hot Chip’s “Colours” are parsed out in chunks, a bit of watery church organ separating them. Goldfrapp’s “Slide In” gets the percussive-heavy treatment, another track slathered in DFA’s signature cowbell, and a near-epic at 13 minutes. U.N.K.L.E.’s “In a State” rounds it out, building slow and refusing to pop until it’s good and ready. Not everything on here works, but once the better tracks get off the ground, they soar.|John Wenzel
Scissor Sisters, “Ta-Dah”
DANCE/POP|Universal/Motown, released Sept. 26
The Scissor Sisters are the most divisive pop act in the U.S. The flamboyant ensemble’s second album – coming two years after the New York band’s near-perfect debut – brings more cleverly designed retro kitsch that carries the punch of the earlier model but is bogged down by a rush of trifles.
Opening with the stylish megablast of “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’,” co-written with Elton John (and better than anything on his own new album), “Ta-Dah” earns top-billing in the CD changer this week with the funky “Ooh” (borrowing from Prince at his best) and the disco workout “Kiss You Off.” The Leo Sayer revival can now officially begin.|Fred Shuster, Los Angeles Daily News
Other releases today:
The Killers, “Sam’s Town” (Island) The Springsteen-heavy image this Las Vegas group is pushing on “Sam’s Town” may be pathetically transparent, but it’s no less so than the new wave/synth-rock leanings of its debut, “Hot Fuss.”
Evanescence, “The Open Door” (Wind Up) Despite the departure of a guitarist and bassist, this is the same old Evanescence, serving up widescreen goth-rock that turns personal traumas into self-affirming anthems.
