Rapper Eurazmus Forh, a.k.a. Illecism, never really knew his father until he moved into his south Sacramento home at age 15. Up to that time, Illecism had lived in Maryland with his aunt, who’d recently kicked him out. Before that, his grandma and mom had given him the boot. More
Coldplay have mastered their anthemic craft so precisely that with every peak of Chris Martin's falsetto you can hear the faintest cha-ching of dollar signs. So, for them to usher in Brian Eno to help dip their toes into new terrain is a move that deserves some props. Eno gives them room to build their grandiose crescendos, while adding in oblique bars of airy soundscapes ("Life in Technicolor"), Eastern strings ("Yes"), Renaissance strut ("Strawberry Swing") and even some Phil Collins swagger ("Violet Hill"). It's a good progression, but not as innovative as they might have been hoping for. Editor: Stephanie Benson
For her third disc, "Lil Miss Sunshine" stakes a claim as the queen of R&B by turning to the '80s. On "Shut Up and Drive," she samples New Order's "Blue Monday," while lead single "Umbrella" -- with Rihanna's understated, nasal vocals wrapping around dramatic strings -- would fit nicely in a John Hughes flick. The spunky "Breakin' Dishes" is more fun than bitter, and "Rehab" overcomes its rather mawkish sentiments to be an effective break-up ballad. There's hardly a throwaway track, and Rihanna continues to evolve. This edition includes three unreleased tracks, including hit "Take a Bow." This version also contains exclusive live bonus tracks from Rihanna's appearance on FNMTV. Editor: Sam Chennault
Given the funky guitar, airtight horn punctuations and occasional falsettoed "whoo!," it seems like Mraz has been spending some quality time with MJ's Off the Wall of late. He pulls it off with varying success, alternating the blue-eyed funk pop with coy girl-crazy pap, er, pop and overtly sentimental numbers (grab the Kleenex for "Love for a Child"). The showpiece might be the sunny "Lucky," a duet with the do-no-wrong princess of beach bums, Colbie Caillat. Editor: Nate Cavalieri
Young Jeezy's The Recession wouldn't know a credit crunch if it came up and bit it on its bonus track. This Atlanta kingpin is sitting on a wealth of talent and he invests it wisely, spreading sharp boasts across more than a dozen tracks, which, despite the variety of producers, all hew to the standard Jeezy formula: epic synth-strings mixing with slow, martial beats. While songs like "Circulate" and "Vacation" are club ready, it's "My President Is Black" (featuring Nas), wherein the emcee rips the price of crude oil and questions military service, that a more community-minded Jeezy pays his dues. Editor: Chris Ryan
Here's what's happened since the New Kids were last on the block: R&B became hip-hop. And all hip-hop (or at least hip-pop) is now either masterminded by or made to sound like Timba-lake. In other words, 'NSYNC happened. The once and future Kids must have been studying up during their hiatus because their comeback plays like an homage to every trend on the charts. But when it's done right, trend-jockeying sounds dang good. The boys whose smiling mugs once wallpapered our lockers (and who are now daddies -- check the end of "Stare at You") sound more polished (not to mention way cooler) than they ever did in their heyday. Editor: Rachel Devitt
Although Van Dyke Parks scored arrangements for Joanna Newsom's Ys, he sounds more at home working with Inara George, daughter of his old friend Lowell George (who passed away in 1979). An Invitation swoons and bops with Parks' trademark orchestration: Looney Tunes shrouded in a dreamy ocean fog. As for Inara, she's like Bjork exploring art in song. Lyrics border on the abstract, delivered with a touch of jazz. But as with all things Van Dyke, An Invitation is ultimately a playful and tender affair. Editor: Justin Farrar
With two key members OD'ing, it looked like the Pretenders were finished. Instead, the band came back with its best-selling -- and best -- album. Once again, FM rock, New Wave and punk fans came together for an LP loaded with too many classics tracks to mention. Hell, we can't help ourselves: how great is "Back on the Chain Gang"? Editor: Nick Dedina
Into every generation, a perfect balladeer is born, and for this generation, David Cavazos might just be the one. He gently embraces anything that'll get the seduction done, whether it's a hint of smooth jazz, Quiet Storm or even (believe it) electro-funk. The guy doesn't miss a trick, but if he didn't believe every romantic word he sang, we wouldn't either. He means it, and he also knows how to subvert our expectations -- "No Es No" plumbs neo-Brazilian depths with a panache that suggests this guy's a pretty crack songwriter too. Check out the exclusive acoustic version of "Bruja Hada." Editor: Sarah Bardeen
![David Cavazos [Rhapsody]](http://images.ibsys.com//2008/0905//17397903.jpg)
