Lizzie Goodman from Blender magazine discusses Gnarls Barkley's latest CD, as well as albums released this week by The Raconteurs, Madonna, and The B-52's.
The Raconteurs' lineup is made up of old friends Brendan Benson and Jack White of The White Stripes, with help from The Greenhornes' rhythm section (Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler). The band released its second album, Consolers Of The Lonely, as soon as it possibly could after the album was mastered. Goodman appreciates the early gift; she says the record "sounds like summer."
Following Gnarls Barkley's unexpected success with the huge 2006 crossover hit "Crazy," Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse didn't give in to the temptation to try to top themselves. The Odd Couple sees the duo digging deeper with its complicated, soulful, and even dark R&B songs, while still maintaining a quirky style.
New Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Madonna returns next month with a new record titled Hard Candy. The first single, "Four Minutes to Save the World," finds the pop icon teaming up with Justin Timberlake and producer Timbaland.
It's been 16 years since the last album by The B-52's. But with Funplex, the group does what many of its peers have been unable to do: make an album that will please its longtime fans, while staying fresh and modern.
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