Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Wilco takes on flawed America
Wilco goes country as only it can on “Cruel Country,” an immensely rich 21-track, roughly 80-minute deep dive into America that is a raw and engaging take on our tumultuous times.
For fans of Wilco, “Cruel Country” feels in some ways like an extension of the rock band’s “Mermaid Avenue” collection with Billy Bragg that were based on lyrics of Woody Guthrie. But “Cruel Country,” a reference more to the subject matter than the musical style, is very much Wilco’s take on America as it currently exists. “I love my country stupid and cruel/ red, white and blue,” lead singer and songwriter Jeff Tweedy sings on the title track.
While death hangs heavy over “Cruel Country,” the record offers solace in music and community. “All you have to do is sing in the choir with me,” Tweedy sings in as much an invitation as an aspiration.
It’s fitting that the tracks were recorded live by the band playing together at Wilco’s loft in Chicago, with minimal overdubs. That gives “Cruel Country” a raw, real feel that’s befitting the songs. Tweedy described the method as “messy. Like democracy.”
“Country Song UpsideDown” perhaps comes closest to stating Wilco’s thesis for “Cruel Country.”
“I found a song upsidedown,” Tweedy sings. “A country song/ Without a doubt/ Dying sky and water/ Rainbow/ Flickering out.”
As Tweedy writes in the liner notes, “Cruel Country” is an attempt to “challenge our affections for things that are flawed.”
“Cruel Country” isn’t all cruel, and it isn’t all country music, either. But it’s likely to stand the test of time. — Scott Bauer, Associated Press
Lzzy Hale, the lead singer and guitarist for the heavy metal band Halestorm, is that rare breed of wild child whose path you cross at your own peril, and her aggressiveness soaks through her music.
The band’s new album, “Back From the Dead,” is not for the faint of heart, or anyone with even a trace of a headache: it’s a full-on sonic assault of screams, wailing guitars, pounding drums and booming bass.
And yet Hale manages to pull it off with a deft songwriting touch and a surprising sense of melody that belies the bombast.
The title track begins with a roar (as many of Hale’s songs do). She’s got a great scream, and she’s not afraid to use it, multiple times, on most songs.
Yet she actually has a beautiful singing voice that can tend to get overlooked amid the shrieks. The ballads “Terrible Things” and “Raise Your Horns” feature her tender, sultry vocals that are 180 degrees from many of her other vocals, particularly those on “Wicked Ways.”
“The Steeple” is an infectious anthem/ode to the fans, a made-for-the-concert-hall singalong with lines like “This is my church, and these are my people.”
“Back From the Dead” will definitely be in the running for the best hard rock/metal album of the year.
British singer Ella Mai is back with even more R&B bridges in her second album, “Heart on My Sleeve.” While this album radiates Mai’s finger-snapping tracks and smooth melodies similar to her debut, it’s also more passionate and sung by someone who’s a little older and wiser. Mai’s 2018 debut album went double platinum and her hit single “Boo’d Up” went on to win a Grammy for best R&B song.
Mai has never shied away from love songs but this sophomore album shows more sides of Mai. The tracks highlight all the sides to falling in love, the healthy sides and even the toxic relationships. “Leave U Alone” shows the uncontrollable nature of being in love, while “Hide” is a ballad finding vulnerability.
Her sound stays true to R&B but also brings in fun pop vibes. “Fallen Angel” is a true lovestruck romantic track that stood out. “DMFU” is a lush R&B track about the risk of romance and that it might go sour. Her track “Feels Like” shows that she takes power and control back in a relationship. The album also features collaborations with Latto, Lucky Daye and Roddy Ricch.
“Heart on My Sleeve” proves that there’s still room for love songs and romance in R&B.