Music Editorial Reviews
Teena Marie: Beautiful 
Steve Jones - May 24, 2013
Album: BeautifulArtist: Teena MarieRelease date: Jan. 15, 2013Download: Luv Letter, Rare Breed, Beautiful Lady Tee's untimely death at age 54 in 2010 stilled one of music's most soulful voices. She left her 14th album (finished by singer/daughter Alia Rose), which brims...
Patricia Barber: Smash
Elysa Gardner - May 24, 2013
Album: SmashArtist: Patricia BarberRelease date: Jan. 23, 2013Download: Missing, Code Cool, The Swim Barber's clear, relaxed singing and understated but expressive piano playing continue to offer a winning mix of warmth and cool. If the originals on her latest effort can...
Randy Houser: How Country Feels
Brian Mansfield - May 24, 2013
Album: How Country FeelsArtist: Randy HouserRelease date: Jan. 23, 2013Download: How Country Feels, The Singer, Route 3 Box 250 D Want to know how country feels? Listen past the title hit's second-gen heartland rock. When Houser sings about songs themselves, and why not...
Aaron Neville: My True Story
Steve Jones - May 24, 2013
Album: My True StoryArtist: Aaron NevilleRelease date: Jan. 23, 2013Download: Be My Baby, This Magic Moment, Tears on My Pillow, Gypsy Woman Neville revisits the music that influenced him as a youth, and his sweet tenor fits these doo-wop-era standards like a glove. Don...
Listen Up album of the week: 'West of Memphis'
by Jerry Shriver, USA TODAY - January 23, 2013
Three stars for the eclectic collection inspired by the documentary.
Black Veil Brides: Wretched and Divine
Edna Gundersen - February 19, 2013
Album: Wretched and DivineArtist: Black Veil BridesRelease date: Jan. 8, 2013Download: Lost It All, I Am Bulletproof, In the End This muddled rock opera vacillates from formulaic doom-rockers to incoherent spoken interludes with a few sizzling spots of brooding menace....
Dropkick Murphys: Signed and Sealed in Blood
Elysa Gardner - May 24, 2013
Album: Signed and Sealed in BloodArtist: Dropkick MurphysRelease date: Jan. 8, 2013Download: Prisoner's Song, Burn Subtlety has never been among Dropkick Murphys' virtues, but its latest album finds the band serving its brew of punk energy, Celtic textures and...
Chris Tomlin: Burning Lights
Brian Mansfield - May 24, 2013
Album: Burning LightsArtist: Chris TomlinRelease date: Jan. 8, 2013Download: Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies), White Flag Walk into any evangelical church on Sunday, and chances are the congregation will sing at least one Tomlin song. He'll add to their...
Conor Maynard makes a bold impression with 'Contrast'
by Brian Mansfield, Special for USA TODAY - January 14, 2013
A three-star debut for Conor Maynard.
Kid Rock: Rebel Soul
Jerry Shriver - March 19, 2013
Album: Rebel SoulArtist: Kid RockRelease date: Nov. 20, 2012Download: Let's Ride (Mideast Battle Hymn), The Mirror, Mr. Rock 'n' Roll There's barely a whiff of rebellion on this by-the-numbers effort, and Kid's soulful side emerges only occasionally. Aging diehard fans...
