I have to start this week off by telling you about my pal Robby Hecht. If you like early Paul Simon and James Taylor, or even Shawn Colvin, then you're going to love this guy. His new CD, Late Last Night, is so beautiful (in that really mellow acoustic vein) that it just almost makes me want to cry. It's the kind of record that I put on repeat because, if that's the mood I'm in, nothing else will do. Robby's new, yet classic tunes remind me of Simon's “Kathy's Song” or JT's “Fire and Rain.” I know that's near blasphemy in some circles, but that's how good I think this kid is. The melodies are delicate and lovely; the lyrical phrases make me wish I had written them. And this is his first solo record. Guest artists include Mindy Smith, Thad Cockrell, Peter Bradley Adams and Jill Andrews from the Everybodyfields. Mindy and Jill's beautiful harmonies infuse Lex Price's tasteful and grounded production. I can't toot this horn loud enough. Another new and fine project out of Nashville is Ampersand EP from Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken. I love Sandra's voice. It's familiar and comforting, yet I can never place who it recalls. It's not Patty Griffin or Sheryl Crow, but it's somewhere in there. This is the first real collaboration between the husband/wife duo who are known independently for their solo work. (Derek is also wildly popular for fronting Caedmon's Call.) The collective effort suits them well. You can almost hear the natural ease with which this project came together.
Frying a slightly bigger fish, Portishead returns with Third. If you love their groovy trip hop, you might very well be disappointed here. One reviewer gave it five stars while saying “the melodies are strangled by cacophony.” That's an apt description, I'd say. Third reminds me a bit of P.J. Harvey's work. It's hard and uncomfortable to listen to at first, disturbing even. But when you let it be what it wants to be, rather than what YOU want it to be, you can start to see the point of it all. I haven't quite gotten there yet, but I do think it's possible.
The Roots kick it all hard-core style with Rising Down. (Am I allowed to say that?) When it comes to hip hop, I much prefer the positive political vibes of Spearhead or Public Enemy. The whole gangsta rap thing doesn't work for me. I understand that truths must be spoken, but why not do it in a constructive way rather than spewing hate and misogyny. Rising Down is full of 'n' words and all that goes along with that line of fire. The Roots are powerful and aggressive in their presentation, which borders on being dangerous, in my mind. I don't see them as harmless as I do someone like Nelly.
Okay, I'll go there. Madonna is back with Hard Candy. I wanted a real expert opinion, so here's what my gay boy friend Justin has to say about it: “The beats are better than her. The lyrics are as bad as American Life. The melodies are good, but you could insert any pop starlet. It is infectious in its own, backgroundy kind of way.” We both agree that Justin Timberlake makes a fine contribution and the Kanye West track, “Beat Goes On,” is also a highlight. Overall, it's not that memorable and is certainly not her finest effort.
Tegan and Sara have just released the five-song Live Session EP, which is an iTunes exclusive. It's a nice snapshot of them, though I'm not a big fan of live stuff, even when it's live in a studio. (I like records to sound like records and leave the live thing for the stage. That's where it makes sense to me.) Anyway, thought you T and S fans would want to know that's out there.

Rock on!