Pam's New Music Downloads

If you're still holding out for another "Fast Car," you won't find it on Tracy Chapman's new CD, One Bright Future. but there remains an enduring appeal to her sweet twang and honest introspection. "Thinking of You," is a gentle heart breaker.

Heidi Klum's hubby, Seal, could sing the movie listing and breathe soul into them. On his latest album, Soul, Seal respectfully tackles R&B classics by Al Green, Sam Cooke and James Brown and proves himself to be a worthy successor to their legacy.

It doesn't take long on the new Dido album, Safe Trip Home, to realize how much she's been missed. "Don't Believe in Love," the standout opening track and first single, returns the British singer-songwriter to classy territory with its jazzy, understated cool.

Pam's New Music Downloads

To open her fifth album, Pink seals her split from motocross racer Carey Hart with a kiss-off. She continues to work through her breakup issues on Funhouse, and it makes for plenty of listening pleasure. "It's All Your Fault," is a long, mood-shifting rocker.

Lady Gaga, The Flame - This New York scenester brings a downtown party-girl vibe to her fun dance-pop debut. "Just Dance," the electro-infused first single, will bring out your inner club kid.

Ryan Adams' fourth-album with the Cardinals, Cardinology, glides by smoothly, even if it fails to truly soar. "Fix It," is the soul-soothing first single.

Pam's New Music Downloads

Ben Folds still tries his darndest not be normal with the quirky piano pop on his latest solo outing, Way to Normal, whether it's the perky "The Frown Song" or "You Don't Know Me," his whimsical duet with kindred spirit Regina Spektor.

Rachael Yamagata is a smoky-voiced singer who delivers an ambitious double disc. Elephants . . . Teeth Sinking into Heart is all moody atmospherics - Norah Jones meets Damien Rice - while the second disc, which feels like a bonus CD, has more rock bite.

The first Pretenders album in six years, Break Up the Concrete, features an entirely new lineup. Except for front woman, Chrissie Hynde, that is. The founding member of the group remains its life force, writing all but one song while keeping this from sounding like a solo project. "Break Up the Concrete," is a Bo Diddley-style groove.

With his richly textured voice, Ray LaMontagne can elevate even the most mediocre material on his latest CD, Gossip in the Grain. But when he has a truly good tune, like the retro-soulful "You Are the Best Thing," it's really something special.

Pam's New Music Downloads

The brothers Gallagher of Oasis can't seem to stay out of trouble. When they're not fighting each other, they're getting roughed up by others. Thankfully things are a lot more harmonious on Oasis' new album, Dig Out Your Soul. They rock out on the standout single "The Shock of the Lightning".

Lucinda Williams' new album may be titled Little Honey, but Lucinda has never been the sugary type. She keeps it raw on this strong follow-up to last year's excellent West. "If Wishes Were Horses," is a dusty heart breaker.

Keane has always been moody dudes, but on their third album, Perfect Symmetry, they actually sound like they're having fun. "Spiralling," the opening cut and first single, sets the bouncy tone with its '80s-inspired dance pop.

After returning to Rilo Kiley last year, Jenny Lewis released her second solo disc, Acid Tongue. "The New Messiah," is a winner on many levels.

Pam's New Music Downloads

The Welsh singer-songwriter, Jem, seems determined to show just how multifaceted she is musically. Down to Earth expands her sonic horizons to include funk and gospel, Latin and African influences. "It's Amazing," is a lilting piano-laced reverie.

David Sanburn's Here & Gone features guests like Joss Stone, Eric Clapton and Sam Moore, pays homage to the round, brash precision of Ray Charles' band and its director, Memphis alto saxman Hank Crawford, in the late '50s. In typical fashion, Sanburn goes for the musical jugular with sax tones that cry, dart and scream. Best track? "Brother Ray,' featuring guitarist Derek Trucks, which blisters as it swings.

Lindsey Buckingham's Gift of Screws - On one of the standouts of his fifth solo outing, the Fleetwood Macster sings about waiting for "The Right Place to Fade." But as this enchanting disc demonstrates, Buckingham is hardly ready to fade from the picture.

On his first album of new material in six years Time the Conqueror, Jackson Browne shows that time hasn't conquered him. Songs like the title track and "Giving That Heaven Away" make this 57 minutes well worth spending.

Pam's New Music Downloads

Sonya Kitchell "This Storm" - The singer-songwriter's angelic voice and sharp lyrics make this versatile set of folk, rock and alternative songs a compelling listen. One standout? "Here to There," a country-tinged musing on the meaning of life.

Jonatha Brooke "The Works" - The folk-pop singer's new album seamlessly pairs her original music with previously unreleased Woody Guthrie lyrics. Brooke reigns supreme on the touching love song "King of My Heart."

Brian Wilson "That Lucky Old Son" - Brian is back and if his gifts for melody and vocal harmony are not restored to the majestic heights of old, they're close to it. "Going Home" is pure rock-and-roll redemption.

Joan Osborne "Little Wild One" - A Kentucky-born New Yorker who famously imagined God riding a bus on her hit song "One of Us," Osborne returns with a winning album that celebrates the sacred in the city. Her rich vocals, pitched between church soprano and downtown contralto, soar on arrangements that mix old-timey mandolin with the urban pulse of electronic instruments. "Hallelujah in the City" sounds like salvation.

Pam's New Music Downloads

Before Coldplay became the big daddies of Brit pop, there was the Verve. On Forth, their reunion album,the blokes hit their stride right away. "Love Is Noise," the standout single, is a pumping anthem.

As the cover girl of the September issue of Vanity Fair, Carla Bruni - a former model who is now the first lady of France -is heralded as possibly "the new Jackie O." But it's doubtful that J.F.K.'s wife could have ever produced such a sultry set of folk-pop. This mostly French album Comme Si De Rien N'Etait (which means "As If Nothing had Happened") is an alluring affair full of lilting cadences and come-hither coos. "La Possibilite d'une Ile," is a poem set to lush music.

With backup from piano maestro Henry Butler, Irma Thomas, the Grammy-winning New Orleans native, takes a turn at John Fogerty's ode to hope "River Is Waiting" from her new CD Simply Grand.

Juliana Hatfield's bold guitar playing and shimmery vocals energize a defiant rock song on "The Fact Remains" and "This Lonely Love" from How to Walk Away.

Fronted by vocalist Sarah Dugas, the Canadian Band The Duhks delivers an irresistible lullaby on "Sleepin Is All I Wanna Do" from Fast Paced World.

The queen of folk, Joan Baez, sends chills down my spine with "I Am a Wanderer" from her recent disc Day after Tomorrow.

Nat King Cole's daughter Natalie sings the praises of a good cup of joe, backed by a cool-jazz trio of bass, drums and piano on the single "Coffee Time" from Still Unforgettable.

Music Video: Juliana Hatfield, "This Lonely Love"

Technically, this Juliana Hatfield song is kinda sad and lonely (hence the title, of course), but the chorus is so catchy I've taken to happily belting it out along with her when I listen to it. I think "This Lonely Love" has a spot waiting for it on my commute playlist.

The video isn't particularly inspired, but it certainly gets across the aloneness of this lonely love, as we watch Hatfield walk around by herself on streets and near trees and on the beach. "This Lonely Love" is on Hatfield's upcoming album How to Walk Away, which was released Aug. 19. To check out the video, click below.

Pam's New Music Downloads

Having been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, John Mellencamp could certainly be forgiven for coasting a bit on the memory of "Jack & Diane." Instead the heartland rocker has released one of his best discs in years, Life, Death, Love and Freedom. "Longest Days," is a spare, Springsteen-esque ballad.

The Hold Steady, Stay Positive. Lyrically and musically rich, these indie rockers hold your attention steady. Best cuts: the Springsteen-esque single "Sequestered in Memphis" and the blues-colored ballad "Lord, I'm Discouraged."

Fleet Foxes may be from Seattle and record for the same label that gave us Nirvana, but this quintet couldn't be anything further from grunge. On their self-titled debut album, these sweet Foxes will have you blissing out with their airsy dream pop. "White Winter Hymnal" is one of my favorites.

Ben Folds with Regina Spektor, "You Don't Know Me"

Ben Folds's plucky tune "You Don't Know Me" has that bouncy piano thing that actually reminds me more of Regina Spektor's music than Ben Folds's, so it seems fitting that Spektor would contribute some sweet vocals to the track. "You Don't Know Me" will be on Ben Folds's September album Way to Normal .

I'm really digging this song. No, it's not much like Folds's older stuff, but it's a cute, jaunty departure from the norm, and I can appreciate that. To check out the song for yourself, click below.

Pam's New Music Downloads

Emmylou Harris, always a sought after collaborator, gets some help from her friends on her first solo outing since 2003, All I Intended to Be. But it's Harris - a model of grace and restraint who could school today's Nashville belters - who sets the beauty standard here. "Broken Man's Lament," is an aching story song.

Priscilla Ahn was heard on last month's Grey's Anatomy season finale, which featured her ethereal ballad "Dream," There's more lithe, lovely folk-pop where that came from on her full-length debut, A Good Day.

After two albums with husband Kenny Lattimore, Chante Moore, the classy songbird, is back with her first solo disc since 2000, Love the Woman. She makes lush R&B for grown-ups, getting jazzy on tunes like the ballad "Give Me Time."

Brian Culbertson, a jazz-keyboardist-composer, taps a funk dream team for old-school sounds that nod to P-Funk, Kool & the Gang, and Earth, Wind & Fire on his latest CD Bringing Back the Funk.

Los Lonely Boys show they still know their way to pop paradise on their third studio disc, Forgiven. The brothers Garza - Henry, JoJo, and Ringo - smoothly integrate pop, rock, blue, country and Tex-mex sounds into a breezy blend perfect for summer chilling. Highlights include the Santana-esque first single "Staying with Me."

Album Review: ColdPlay's Viva La Vida

Coldplay fans rejoice: Viva La Vida has arrived! This album, the band's fourth, is a big deal as Coldplay strives for that sweet spot between critical success and broad appeal. This time out, Chris Martin and Co. have brought in famed U2 producer Brian Eno to help take their sound in new and interesting directions.

Viva La Vida is indeed experimental but not in a way that will alienate fans. Many critics had a viscerally angry reaction to 2005's X&Y (the New York Times declared Coldplay "the most insufferable band of the decade" after that effort – ouch, right?), but Viva La Vida is just the kind of album you want a band of this stature to release mid-career.

Martin and his mates retain all the epic instrumentals that give Coldplay its signature amphitheater rock sound but apply an obvious amount of self-restraint to the album, making it fun without putting you to sleep. The band refrains from repeating choruses over and over again (ahem, "Fix You") and steers clear of the self-pitying lyrics of albums past, instead focusing on themes around war, religion, and the nature of love.

Viva La Vida is something borrowed and something new for Coldplay, and I'm pleasantly surprised and happy with the result. After giving the entire album a whirl, I feel like I’ve listened to a soundtrack of a sweeping epic that spans wars, generations, and the globe.

Pam's New Music Downloads

Ryan Reynolds can rest easy. After the actor's 2007 split with former fiancee Alanis Morissette - and subsequent engagement to Scarlett Johansson this year - he is spared the "You Oughta Know" treatment on the singer's new album Flavors of Entanglement.. Instead she deals with the breakup in a far gentler way on "Not as We," the heartbreaking highlight. Another affecting ballad, "Torch," also addresses the extinguishment of a relationship with vulnerability rather than venom. Meanwhile, on "Moratorium" - one of several track exploring Middle Eastern and electronica territory - a love-shy Morissette confesses she needs "a breather from the flavors of entanglement."

Trends may come and go, but real artists, like Aimee Mann, remain. On her new CD, @#%&*! Smilers highlights include the breezy "Freeway" and the bouncy "31 Today."

As the leader of the Wallflowers, Jakob Dylan was never too much his father's son. The resemblance was there, but he was no sound-a-like. But on his solo debut, Seeing Things, Dylan embraces all his inner stripped-down set of folk-pop tunes that let us see him as never before. The concise, 10-song cycle was produced by Rick Rubin, who has a knack for getting this sort of thing out of elder statesmen like Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond. Now it's the next generation's turn.

As she prepares to kick off the second True Colors Tour, benefiting gay rights, Cyndi Lauper gets in step with the pulsating, anthemic dance music of gay clubs on her new disc, Bring Ya to the Brink. "Raging Storm," is an atmospheric rush.

On "You've Got the Love I Need," the vintage-'70s highlight of Al Green's new album, Lay It Down, the soul great teams up with Anthony Hamilton, probably the contemporary R&B singer who owes Green the biggest debt.

Clearly 3 Doors Down has had trouble establishing a strong identity. On their fourth studio album, 3 Doors Down, these guys can't decide if they're hard rockers, alt-rockers or pop-rockers. They do it all respectably but unremarkably. "It's Not My time," is a catchy, crunch single.

Album Review: Alanis Morissette's Flavors of Entanglement

Most people own one Alanis Morissette album: Jagged Little Pill. For those of a certain age, it's an album that defined our angst and shouted to our lovers of yore a loud, angry "F You!"

Alanis went on to record more albums, and some were successful (Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie went platinum three times) while others were not (her last album So-Called Chaos peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart), but none were quite as beloved as Jagged.

Some critics have attributed the disappointment of Chaos to Alanis' "domestic bliss" at the time, which now appears to be over as a result of her broken engagement to Ryan Reynolds. I'd like to counter that her recent musical downfalls have occurred because she was the lead producer. With her new album, Flavors of Entanglement, Alanis lets someone else run the show, something she hasn't done since Jagged.

That someone is producer Guy Sigsworth, and he is a breath of fresh air. He takes Alanis in a new direction, closer to the sounds of other artists that he's produced including Imogen Heap, Bjork and Madonna ("What it Feels Like for a Girl"), while not leading Alanis too far astray. Thankfully, this is not a transition like Jewel's disastrous 0304, it's more of a graduation. What results is an Everything but the Girl-esque sound mixed with Morissette's always strong lyrics, which, when combined, result in her strongest album in more than a decade.

New Music Downloads

Jason Mraz's third studio album, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things, goes by smoothly. Mraz, a real pop craftsman, makes it sound easy, seamlessly, weaving jazz and funk. "Details in the Fabric," is a beautifully textured ballad.

Neil Diamond's last album, 2005's 12 Songs, was a real revelation, paring the singer-songwriter with Rick Rubin. The two reunite for this stellar sequel, Home Before Dark, which once again finds Diamond, 67, channeling the spirit of another Rubin client, the late Johnny Cash. The stripped-down tunes reveal the naked emotion of Diamond, who brings it down-home on a divine love song, "Pretty Amazing Grace."

Donna Summer announces her return to the music scene with her first album, Crayons, of new materials since 1991. "I'm a Fire," is a dance-floor sizzler.

It must be something in the water. Following Joss Stone and Amy Winehouse, Duffy is the latest retro-soul chanteuse to emerge from the U.K.'s deep talent pool. Her latest CD, Rockferry, couldn't ask for a much better introduction than "Mercy." A '60s-girl-group throwback grooving with a "Stand by Me"-style bass line.

New Music: Aimee Mann "Freeway"

I'm inching closer to the June 3 release of Aimee Mann's next album @#%&! Smilers and I am positively salivating for it. I've already heard one song off the album, "Thirty One Today" and now there's a video of Mann playing another track, "Freeway" at Artists Den.

"Freeway" is pretty much exactly what I think of when I think of good, solid Aimee Mann songs. It's got some cynical lyrics set to a great, appealing melody which, in this case bounces right along in a way that's almost as catchy as "That's Just What You Are" (almost!). With regard to her upcoming album, it all seems to be so far, so good. To check out "Freeway" for yourself, click below.

Aimee Mann Performing Freeway live!

Pam's New Music Downloads

This singer-songwriter, Tristan Prettyman, follows up her 2005 debut with another set of fetching folk-pop on Hello...x. Adding light blues hues to tracks like, "Madly," the breezy first single, she displays shades of Norah Jones and KT Tunstall.

Steve Winwood feels like jamming on his first studio album, Nine Lives, since 2003. The result? Nine shape-shifting songs that are meant to be played live. Blind Faith cohort Eric Clapton adds some bluesy grit to "Dirty City."

Pam's New Music Downloads

Death Cab for Cutie gets in college-radio gear on the trippy "I Will Possess Your Hear," from their May 13 release, Narrow Stairs.

That Jack White sure does like to keep busy. He's back with the second album from The Raconteurs. Consolers of the Lonely is another strong effort, with White sharing lead vocals and songwriting. The group continues to revive classic rock, displaying a Zeppelin-esque blues streak, while also showing flashes of Beatles melodicism. "You Don't Understand me," is an epic ballad that evokes the Fab Four after a night out at the juke joint.

Kat Parra's "Sugar" from Azucar de Amor is a mambo treat from a bilingual chanteuse who sings jazzman Stanley Turrentine's song in Spanish and English.

Piano, organ, and harmonics accompany Holly Long's soulful testimony to living the good life on "Sunday Redemption" from Leaving Kansas.

Kathy Mattea's "Green Rolling Hills" from Coal is backed by masterful bluegrass pickers. The West Virginia native sings a gorgeous ode to her mountainous home state.

The acclaimed jazz diva, Dianne Reeves, takes an R&b turn in this uplifting number "Today Will Be a Good Day," from When You Know.

Meg Hutchinson's "Ready" is from this Boston singer-songwriter's debut CD Come Up Full, which kicks off with a powerful proclamation of self-renewal ("I belong to the day now!").

Pam's New Music Downloads

Panic at the Disco opens their second album with an apology. Clearly, this Las Vegas quartet realizes how crucial their follow-up to 2005's platinum A Fever You Can't Sweat Out is. And Pretty. Odd. does well to assure that they won't go down as some emo dudes who got lucky thanks to MTV. "Northern Downpour," is a ballad that is power-pop bliss.

Can you imagine any band on the planet being more fun to hang out with than the B-52s? On their first studio album in 16 years, Funplex, the quirky quartet parties like it's 1989 (the year they released their bestselling album, Cosmic Thing). "Pump" is the pulse-racing, guitar-riffing opener.

After forgetting how to rock following the departure of drummer Bill Berry in 1997, R.E.M. cranks it up on Accelerate, their most amped effort since 1994's Monster. The result is simply the best R.E.M. disc since 1992's classic Automatic for the People. Accelerate hits the ground running with the opening assault, "Living Well Is the Best Revenge," as Michael Stipe tears into his vocal with renewed vigor. I can just imagine him thrashing about to this one onstage. Even better are "Supernatural Superserious," the chugging, instantly catchy first single, and the soul-deep "Hollow Man," both of which stand up to about anything in the band's catalogue. Lean and mean, Accelerate clocks in at less than 35 minutes, its 11 cuts racing by so fast I can't wait to play it again.

Were it not for the success of "Crazy" - the insanely catchy hit that propelled Gnarls Barkley to platinum sales and two Grammys for their 2006 debut, St. Elsewhere - the collaboration between singer Cee-Lo Green and producer Danger Mouse might have been just a one-off project. Thankfully it wasn't: The Odd Couple shows that the pop world would be a lot more boring without this twisted twosome. While there's nothing here as genius as "Crazy," it's another trippy journey into psychedelic soultronica. Highlights include "Run (I'm a Natural Disaster)," the speedy, shimmying first single and "Surprise," a hand-clapping, '60s-grooving euphoria.

Pam's New Music Downloads

Rarely has a broken romance sounded so good from "Where I Stood", off Missy Higgens' latest CD On a Clear Night.

After finally releasing his first official solo album in 2006, Ray Davies, former Kinks leader, is a on a roll with his newest CD Working Man's Cafe'. While not quite up to Other People's Lives, this is another fine effort with tasteful , cafe'-ready fare like "Imaginary Man."

Mixing new grooves and old faves, the bass guitarist, Marcus Miller, lays down some note-popping, hip-shaking fun with help from Corinne Bailey Rae on "Free" off the self-titled CD Marcus.