Music Reviews: Sloan, Aline De Lima, The Weepies, Jack Johnson, etc.

All winners this time. Not a clinker in the bunch. :)

Sloan - "Never Hear The End Of It": Wow, what a great group. Had never heard of them, but they are apparently quite prolific in their native Canada, and this CD is such a deal. 31 tracks, and good rock throughout. They have a retro brit-pop feel a lot of times and are really good with a catchy riff and melody, occasionally tossing in a rich harmony section. Favorite tracks: Who Taught You To Live Like That? and I Understand, but so many are good.

Aline De Lima - "Arrebol": I can't figure out whether this girl is singing in Portuguese, French or Spanish. Maybe she flips back and forth. But boy oh boy is she good! Jazzy, bossa nova style arrangements underlie most tracks, with a clear but breathy high alto vocal, so she sounds like a new version of Astrud Gilberto, but without Stan Getz' sax. Favorite tracks: Terra, Septembre, but I really love them all. Best in class CD. Great. :)

The Weepies - "Hideaway": My oh my. You may remember these guys from the JC Penney TV commercial at Christmastime where they sang All That I Want. This new CD is like that, an infectious, happy sound despite occasionally somber lyrics, boy-girl shared vocals, good melodies, mostly acoustic guitars. I can hardly turn it off, except maybe to listen to Aline De Lima. ;) So good. Favorites: Can't Go Back Now, Wish I Could Forget, Just Blue, All This Beauty, but they are all great tracks. Love this one.

Jack Johnson - "Sleep Through The Static": Another winner from Jack Johnson - he doesn't seem to put out a bad CD. Ever. He's in top form here with his usual strum and vocal style. No real iconic songs like Better Together, but just a great Saturday afternoon relaxing album. Favorites: What You Thought You Need, Adrift. And as usual, all good.

Melody Gardot - "Worrisome Heart": There are certainly more girl singers doing pop than doing jazz, but there are a few good ones in the jazz world, too. Here's a new one. None of the old standards here, all new modern material, but with a timeless jazz sensibility. And such a good voice. Really good dinner or chill music. And in the cover photo, she's so hip looking. :) Favorites: Worrisome Heart, Love Me Like A River Does, but all are solid. Nice debut.