A fine bass player and pianist, Anthony, who is model-thin, has a powerful, rich voice reminiscent of Mama Cass or Ellen McIlwaine. But her sensibility, in spite of the CD's relatively lush arrangements, has more in common with the starkness of Lucinda Williams or Liz Phair.

This little book cleverly satirizes America's obsessions with sex, health and various vices. Filled with bizarro-world table turning, plain absurdity, and acute observations of familiar social phenomena that no one likes to talk about, it would make a great gift for anyone who can take a joke.

Lovedrug’s “Pretend You’re Alive,” or as I started to think of the CD, “Pretend You’re Radiohead,” has a promising first minute, but the thin, snarly vocals aren’t my cup of tea – they come across as affected, rather than animalistic a la (say) Perry Farrell or Ziggy Stardust-era Bowie. But …

Moco is a garage punk whirlwind. Their new CD hit American college radio this spring, but they ought to be marketed to the Nuggets crowd too, if such a thing is possible. Heat up some Animals, (including a Trogg or two), season with Jim Morrison, whip it into post-punk tempos, …

If this CD doesn't break The Clarks nationally, it won't be the music's fault. All the goods are here.

Sung like Bacharach-Warwick collaborations filtered through the Stylistics, "Magical" and "Take Me To Your Love" go down like tea with honey. The latter in particular shows the artist's acknowledged debt to Philly soul.

Katie Melua’s debut rides the Norah Jones pop-jazz highway straight down the middle of the road, but it’s a road with awfully nice landscaping. The 12-song release is filled with warm-hearted and accomplished singing, tasteful arrangements, and enough variety to make the album a good listen all the way through. …

Jason Didner’s new CD is loaded with heartland rock plus a few modern touches, but the title cut is by itself worth the price of admission. A road anthem with a great catchy chorus, it could certainly be a radio hit with clearer production. Some of Didner’s melodies and guitar …

At the school of romantic heartland rock, John Taglieri probably graduated at the top of his class.

Ben Ratliff’s EP “Misplaced Desire” is a double-barrelled blues shotgun, powered equally by Ratliff’s icy baritone vocals and his and Jeff Winter’s chunky guitar riffs, with support from a solid rhythm section and production that strikes a good balance between clean and moody. Ratliff’s raw, rootsy sound comes out of …