Music Editorial Reviews
Listen Up: Amy Grant, Vampire Weekend, Demi Lovato
Two ladies of pop and one quartet of alt-rock have new albums out this week.
Listen up album of the week: 'Paramore'
by Brian Mansfield, Special for USA TODAY - April 10, 2013
The band's fourth studio album earns three and a half stars out of four.
Madeleine Peyroux: The Blue Room
Elysa Gardner - May 19, 2013
Album: The Blue RoomArtist: Madeleine PeyrouxRelease date: Mar. 6, 2013Download: Take These Chains, Desperadoes Under the Eaves In Peyroux's singing, there's a fine line between moody and soporific. Too many tracks here are the latter. Larry Klein produces a mix of...
Boz Scaggs: Memphis 
Steve Jones - May 19, 2013
Album: MemphisArtist: Boz ScaggsRelease date: Mar. 6, 2013Download: Mixed Up Shook Up Girl, Dry Spell, Rainy Night in Georgia The singer/songwriter's first album in five years oozes with the soul of the title city. This eclectic batch of mostly cover songs was recorded...
Ashley Monroe: Like a Rose
Brian Mansfield - May 19, 2013
Album: Like a RoseArtist: Ashley MonroeRelease date: Mar. 6, 2013Download: Weed Instead of Roses, You Ain't Dolly (And You Ain't Porter) Nashville's lovers of traditional country have raved about the Pistol Annies member's staggering talent for years. With this Vince...
Mindless Behavior: All Around the World
Steve Jones - April 30, 2013
Album: All Around the WorldArtist: Mindless BehaviorRelease date: Mar. 12, 2013Download: All Around the World, Keep Her On the Low, Pretty Girl The heartthrobs returns with the followup to 2011's #1 Girl, and they are once again aiming at the hearts of teenage girls. No...
Bon Jovi: What About Now
Brian Mansfield - May 19, 2013
Album: What About NowArtist: Bon JoviRelease date: Mar. 12, 2013Download: Because We Can, That's What the Water Made me, Beautiful World Nobody looks to Bon Jovi for social insight. But anthems of compassion, encouragement and empowerment — you can't have too many....
Eric Clapton: Old Sock
Elysa Gardner - May 19, 2013
Album: Old SockArtist: Eric ClaptonRelease date: Mar. 12, 2013Download: Further On Down the Road, All of Me Your One and Only Man Clapton hasn't got the blues in a non-musical sense, judging by the endearingly breezy spirit of this collection. From the bubbly Further On...
Low: The Invisible Way
Brian Mansfield - May 19, 2013
Album: The Invisible WayArtist: LowRelease date: Mar. 20, 2013Download: Plastic Cup, Just Make It Stop, So Blue Like much in Low's 20-year history, evolution moves slowly. The set pulses with hushed piano, rumbling drums and guitars that add tension or loveliness. Mimi...
Josh Rouse: The Happiness Waltz
Elysa Gardner - May 19, 2013
Album: The Happiness WaltzArtist: Josh RouseRelease date: Mar. 20, 2013Download: This Movie's Way Too Long, Our Love, City People, City Things There's more than a trace of Paul Simon in Rouse's delicate, knowing voice; and the beautifully crafted soft-rock tunes on his...
