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Music Reviews
Paloma Faith's 'Fall To Grace' Is A Keeper
January 30, 2013 A British singer with classic R&B and pop influences, Faith draws comparisons to Amy Winehouse and Adele. If she keeps doing what she's doing, she's going to have lots of fans following her every musical and social cue.
Music Reviews
'Nashville' Soundtrack Stands On Its Own
January 9, 2013 A new album of original songs from the Golden Globe-nominated TV series about Music City reflects the tastes of the show's musical producer, T-Bone Burnett, as well as the vocal talents of stars Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere.
Best Music Of 2012
Ken Tucker's Top 10 Albums Of 2012
December 18, 2012 From the inescapable "Call Me Maybe" to Fiona Apple's intricate word puzzles to the strikingly gorgeous return of Iris DeMent, the Fresh Air critic counts down his favorite albums and musical moments of the year.
Music Reviews
Ke$ha: A 'Warrior' In Search Of Legitimacy
December 12, 2012 On her new album, the pop star tries to show she's not just in the business for the money. As critic Ken Tucker says, "Like pop stars ranging from Madonna on back to Chuck Berry, Ke$ha wants it both ways: mass-audience success and artistic acknowledgment."
Music Reviews
Tracey Thorn: 'Secular Carols' For The Holidays
November 30, 2012 Thorn has recorded a holiday album, Tinsel and Lights, that critic Ken Tucker says might just work for warmer weather, as well. Tucker praises Thorn's voice as "bolstered by a firm intelligence," and says she avoids the fatty treacle that often weighs down Christmas albums.
Music Reviews
'Buddy And Jim': Friends In Life And Songwriting
November 28, 2012 Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale just released a new album of duets. Critic Ken Tucker says Buddy and Jim recalls an earlier era of country music. The pair's voices, Tucker says, connect through "shared emotion in a song."
Music Reviews
An Unlikely Tribute: Jamey Johnson Covers Hank Cochran
November 14, 2012 The country-music star has enlisted the help of Merle Haggard, Elvis Costello and others to salute the man behind songs like "Make the World Go Away."
Music Reviews
Cody ChesnuTT Contains A Universe On 'Hundred'
November 9, 2012 ChesnuTT is the best sort of egomaniac: On Landing on a Hundred, he's preachy but delightful.
Music Reviews
Taylor Swift Leaps Into Pop With 'Red'
November 5, 2012 Critic Ken Tucker says that, like all good pop artists, Swift continues to evolve in a manner which challenges her diehard fans while inviting naysayers to give it another listen.
Music Reviews
Gary Clark Jr.: A Raucous Blues Shout
October 19, 2012 On Blak and Blu, you can hear the roar in Clark's blues guitar. But critic Ken Tucker says Clark remains a work in progress.
Music Reviews
Iris DeMent's Emotionally Complex 'Sing The Delta'
October 10, 2012 Sing the Delta is the roots-folk singer-songwriter's first album of new songs in 16 years.
Music Reviews
Low Cut Connie: The Self-Deprecating Bar Band
October 3, 2012 The band's new Call Me Sylvia is as raucous as its debut, though it's slightly more self-conscious.
Music Reviews
Aimee Mann: The 'Charmer' And The Disciplined Id
September 24, 2012 Ken Tucker says that Charmer is a song cycle about getting rid of a cynical frame of mind; about distancing yourself from people who are dragging you down.
Music Reviews
Dwight Yoakam: Weary And Wary On '3 Pears'
September 19, 2012 The singer-songwriter and actor may not fit the country-music mold, but he carves out his own sound on his new album, 3 Pears.
Music Reviews
Bob Dylan's Baffling And Sometimes Beautiful 'Tempest'
September 11, 2012 Critic Ken Tucker says that some songs on Tempest sound less like concentrated efforts than outpourings of rambling thoughts; others are as precisely crafted as any Bob Dylan has written.
