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    POSTED 24 MAY 2001

    "The Januaries"
    The Januaries Our price: $13.99 | You save: $2.98
    ...on sale here.
    Although the Januaries' self-titled album came out last fall, there are few CDs that could break in this summer better. Lead by chanteuse Debbie Diamond, the band embraces Burt Bacharach-pop and makes no apologies for its high camp value. But unlike music that sacrifices substance for a snicker, these are songs that beg a push of the "repeat" button, due mostly to the infusion of very modern arrangements, and Diamond's deceptively subtle, nuanced vocals. Fans of everything from Belle & Sebastian to Arling & Cameron to the "Austin Powers" soundtrack will love this disc. Highly recommended.

    See more of my recent favorites
    ...on sale here.

    NEW AND NOTABLE

    "God Bless the Go-Go's"
    Go-Go's Our price: $13.99 | You save: $3.98
    ...on sale here.
    It took the Go-Go's 17 years to kiss and make up, and now that they are all friends again (and in their 40s), it's great to see that they've lost none of the feisty girl power that made them stars in the first place. "God Bless the Go-Go's" returns to the group's punk-rooted pop of the early '80s, remodeled for next-generation ears. Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong penned a track for them, and with a large handful of radio-ready tunes that are still a welcome kick in the shins, it's as if the Go-Go's never left the building.

    "Gotta Tell You [EXTRA TRACKS]" Samantha Mumba Our price: $13.99 | You save: $3.98
    ...on sale here.
    Watch out, Christina and Britney; Ireland's Samantha Mumba is hot on your trail. The single "Gotta Tell You" from her debut soared to the top of the U.K. charts in summer 2000, and with it now re-released in the U.S., Americans are discovering this young woman's considerable talents. She doesn't deviate from the magical pop-R&B formula that has worked for the ambitious blondes before her, but Mumba clearly demonstrates a command of her vocals and material that more mature singers possess.

    "Timbre [EXPLICIT LYRICS]" Sophie B. Hawkins Our price: $13.99 | You save: $2.98
    ...on sale here.
    Speaking of re-released albums, Sophie B. Hawkins is getting a second shot with "Timbre." Admirers of Vonda Shepard, Sarah McLachlan, and similar female soloists should pay attention to this record. Its often somber, folk-inflected melodies are easy on the ears, and Hawkins scores high marks in lyrical aptitude. Furthermore, her fondness for inventive use of strings and percussion keeps the album fresh yet timeless.

    "Popstars" Eden's Crush Our price: $13.99 | You save: $3.98
    ...on sale here.
    You saw them sing, dance, scratch, and claw their way out of an enormous pool of hopefuls; now, you can hear them perform their way into superstardom. Check out Eden's Crush, the female version of O-Town, whose travails and triumphs come to fruition on their first release, "Popstars."

    "Films for Radio" Over the Rhine Our price: $13.99 | You save: $2.98
    ...on sale here.
    On their seventh record, Over the Rhine flesh out their otherwise spare alt-pop with orchestral synths, reinventing their sound to something akin to the album's title, "Films for Radio." The consummate indie band found its footing with the legendary label IRS (which supported the careers of R.E.M., Squeeze, and Fine Young Cannibals), and with this major-label release, you'll have to decide if the expanded sound is progress or pandering.

    POP SOUNDTRACK

    "Moulin Rouge [SOUNDTRACK]" Moulin Rouge Our price: $13.28 | You save: $5.69
    ...on sale here.
    "Lady Marmalade," the Patti Labelle-remake single from the "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack, is absolutely on fire, and with good reason. When you get Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya, and Lil' Kim performing on a track produced by Missy Elliott, the result couldn't be anything less than red hot. Elsewhere, the movie's stars, Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, fare well with the songs they perform, and additional tracks by David Bowie, Beck, and U2's Bono make this an easy contender for one of the year's best soundtrack compilations.

    PRE-ORDER TODAY

    "Poses" Rufus Wainwright Our price: $16.99 | You save: $1.98
    ...on sale here.
    Pop music's neo-baroque balladeer releases his sophomore CD.

    "Irresistible" Jessica Simpson Our price: $14.99 | You save: $3.98
    ...on sale here.
    Jessica Simpson is also releasing her second full-length album. Will she be able to beat out the rest of the honey-haired, tummy-baring set?

    "What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce" Goo Goo Dolls Our price: $14.99 | You save: $3.98
    ...on sale here.
    They went from a struggling, little-known alt-rock band to megastars with $100 haircuts on "Dizzy Up the Girl." The Goo Goo Dolls' follow-up, "What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce," will show what fame has (or hasn't) brought to their music.

    "time* sex* love*" Mary Chapin Carpenter Our price: $13.99 | You save: $4.98
    ...on sale here.
    The ever-explorative Mary Chapin Carpenter offers another folk-pop release for her large cult following to devour.

    FREE DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

    Download Madonna's latest single, the midtempo "What It Feels Like for a Girl," from her smash success, "Music."
    ...on sale here.

    All Pop downloads
    ...on sale here.
    Posted 26 APRIL 2001...

    "Von Otter Meets Costello: For The Stars"
    Anne Sofie Von Otter
    ...on sale here.
    It would have been hard to imagine that the punk-rooted guy who wrote "Pump It Up" and "Radio, Radio" would years later collaborate with Burt Bacharach, and now, mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie Von Otter. But looking back on Elvis Costello's career, which has woven through country, soul, and jazz with aplomb, it seems as if this consummate musician can tackle anything deftly. On "For the Stars," he and Von Otter collaborate on a range of covers from Tom Waits to Abba; Von Otter proves to be a natural at classy, jazz-based phrasing, and Costello flavors her pristine voice with his appealing world-weary strain.

    "All for You" Janet Jackson
    ...on sale here.
    Four years after the release of "The Velvet Rope," Janet Jackson doubles up on that album's sex appeal for "All for You." Produced by longtime collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the disc offers pop-dance tracks that positively stomp--harkening back to the industrial intensity of "Rhythm Nation 1814"--as well as prurient ballads appropriate for adult ears only. Looks like Ms. Jackson's getting a little nasty herself.

    "Lost Songs"
    David Gray
    ...on sale here.
    David Gray received the ultimate endorsement from Dave Matthews by being the first artist signed to his ATO label, and the success of his album, "White Ladder," was almost guaranteed by reputation alone. But before that, the folk singer didn't have it so easy, and he expressed his frustrations in the previously unreleased tracks found on "Lost Songs," recorded after the release of 1996's "Sell Sell Sell." This collection strips away the delicate electronica that made "White Ladder" distinctive, but the songs are just as engaging. His Van-Morrisonesque voice and plaintive lyrical approach make this album a must-have for any fan.

    "Tropical Brainstorm"
    Kirsty MacColl
    ...on sale here.
    Before Kirsty MacColl's untimely death last year, she left us with "Tropical Brainstorm," a wonderful display of the singer's rich, articulate pop sensibilities. This album's vibrant Latin flourishes buck any bandwagoning; MacColl could have made this album with or against the grain of any trends and remained completely relevant. Not a typical pop album, "Tropical Brainstorm" is the end to a precious legacy cut all too tragically short.

    "Ally McBeal: For Once In My Life... [SOUNDTRACK]"
    Various Artists
    ...on sale here.
    The third soundtrack from the "Ally McBeal" series again highlights Vonda Shepard's soulful, country-inflected take on a number of covers, and introduces newcomer Anastacia, a fiery Chaka Khan sound-alike. Tina Turner, Al Green, and Barry White step up and contribute the album's best non-Vonda tracks, and the show's guest star, Robert Downey Jr., tries out his chops behind the mic on three songs, including a duet with Sting.

    PRE-ORDER TODAY

    "God Bless The Go-Go's"
    The Go-Go's
    ...on sale here.
    We got the beat (back)! The '80s most celebrated new-wave girl group reunites and returns with its first full studio release in 17 years.

    "Popstars"
    Eden's Crush
    ...on sale here.
    You saw them sing, dance, scratch, and claw their way out of an enormous pool of hopefuls, now you can hear them perform their way into superstardom. Check out Eden's Crush, the female version of O-Town, whose travails and triumphs come to fruition on their first release, "Popstars."

    EDITOR'S CHOICE

    "Exciter"
    Depeche Mode
    ...on sale here.

    To call Depeche Mode's "Exciter" a stunning return to form would not be an exaggeration. The band's suffered a lot of hardship in the last few years, mostly as a result of primary singer David Gahan's battle with drug addiction and depression. But Gahan's recovered, and the band hasn't sounded this strong since 1987's "Music for the Masses." "Exciter" demonstrates that the DM have been doing their homework. The album is flush with a very contemporary and intricate network of synthesized melody and rhythm, but also features dark and compelling guitar work reminiscent of the blues-influenced single "Personal Jesus." This is techno-pop at its absolute best, and you can pre-order your copy today.

    DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

    Barenaked Ladies
    ...on sale here.

    The endlessly chipper, lovable dork-rock of the Barenaked Ladies seems an unlikely candidate for a remix project, but a fellow Canadian, India-born Chin Injeti, takes on the task. Having worked with artists such as the Fugees, Ziggy Marley, and the Roots, Injeti utilizes his skills as a producer and multi-instrumentalist to turn the Ladies' single "Pinch Me" into something entirely funky.

    Download the "Pinch Me" remix and the Ladies' latest single "Too Little too Late."
    ...on sale here.


    ...on sale here.

    All Pop downloads
    ...on sale here.

    FEED YOUR MUSICAL APPETITE

    The newest titles, the hottest bands, our favorite discoveries--let our expert editors e-mail you the best of the music world with Delivers. Choose your favorite genres to begin receiving more e-mail recommendations. Go to sign-up page
    ...on sale here.

    Also, check out the New & Future Releases page to view titles by release date, catch the latest digital downloads, investigate the coolest new reissues, and more.
    ...on sale here.

    "Whole New You"
    Shawn Colvin
    ...on sale here.

    After winning two Grammys for the lilting single "Sunny Came Home" from her 1996 release, "A Few Small Repairs," Shawn Colvin has been keeping busy. She released "Holiday Songs and Lullabies," a children's holiday disc, and has contributed backing vocals for other artists' albums. But it took almost four and a half years for her to release "Repairs"'s proper follow-up, "Whole New You." The presence of the folk singer's long-time collaborator, John Leventhal, is more audible than before, as Colvin allows his largely expanded production values to give her songs a pop sheen that should appeal to the widest of mainstream audiences.

    "Renaissance"
    Lionel Richie
    ...on sale here.

    Those fond of Lionel Richie's 1983 release, "Can't Slow Down," will find reason to rejoice in "Renaissance." The album truly is a renewal of Richie's brightest inspiration, averting schmaltzy ballads in favor of glistening dance tracks, Latin rhythms, and truly romantic love songs of genuine substance. While some singers of his generation have been known to cheaply capitalize on recent trends, Richie commands them into a sound that is entirely his own.

    "Drops Of Jupiter"
    Train
    ...on sale here.

    "Meet Virginia," Train's single from their self-titled release, combined the simplest of melodies with irresistible jangle rock, making it an instant hit, and the band an overnight household name. Their follow-up, "Drops of Jupiter," confidently fleshes out Train's impressive musicianship with an expanse of orchestrated strings and understated synth effects, and the results are fantastic. Lead singer Patrick Monahan relies on creative vocal phrasing and his band members' bodacious backing harmonies to amplify the emotional impact of his songs. By doing so, he invites the listener to sing along on every track.

    "In Concert [LIVE]"
    Rockapella
    ...on sale here.

    Familiar as the house band for the PBS children's show "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?" a-cappella quintet Rockapella continues to delight with their stylized, snappy brand of tight harmonies mixed with rock, jazz, and R&B. This latest was recorded at a concert last December in Santa Barbara and includes a generous lineup displaying Rockapella's versatility and crowd-working charisma.

    "Catch-All"
    Swag (Pop)
    ...on sale here.

    Swag is an all-star lineup of power-pop legends and critically acclaimed alt-countrymen, and their album, "Catch-All," is the lovechild borne of heralded live performances that seamlessly blend all of their backgrounds. Including Ken Coomer (Wilco), Jerry Dale McFadden (Sixpence None the Richer), Robert Reynolds (the Mavericks), and Tom Petersson (Cheap Trick), Swag deliver an irrepressible pop-minded energy that clearly conveys each musician's recognizable style, yet melds those styles into something new: a sum easily contended as larger than its parts.

    PRE-ORDER TODAY

    "All for You"
    Janet Jackson
    ...on sale here.

    "Now That's What I Call Music! 6"
    Britney Spears, et al
    ...on sale here.

    "Trouble In Shangri-La"
    Stevie Nicks
    ...on sale here.

    "The Very Best Of Michael McDonald"
    Michael McDonald
    ...on sale here.

    IN MEMORIAM

    "Greatest Hits"
    The Mamas & The Papas
    ...on sale here.
    John Phillips, leader of the Mamas & the Papas, passed away at the age of 65 on March 18, leaving behind a collection of classics integral to '60s pop history. Not only did Phillips write the Mamas & the Papas's most famous tunes, "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday," he also shaped '60s rock behind the scenes, writing songs for two of the biggest West Coast bands of his day, the Beach Boys and the Grateful Dead, as well as organizing the Monterey Pop Festival. INTERVIEW

    Don't be surprised if you found yourself completely charmed by the mysterious, inquisitive, bald blue men performing with Moby during this year's Grammy Awards. The Blue Man Group is a performance art troupe that combines melodic, percussive instrumentation with extremely clever skit humor. At the end of 1999, the group, whose shows are wildly popular in New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas, released a studio album, "Audio," highlighting their unique musicality.
    ...on sale here.
    I had the pleasure of chatting with the cobalt-colored chaps a while back, and discovered they are just as delightful in person as they are on stage.
    ...browse here.
    CLASSIC HITS ON SALE
    ...on sale here.
    Have some holes in your CD collection? Now is a great time to fill them with hundreds of titles priced at only $8.99. Check out tons of pop artists such as Elton John, Everything But the Girl, Chris Isaak, and k.d. lang, or explore some great pop music from your favorite decade.

    Also, check out the New & Future Releases page to view titles by release date, catch the latest digital downloads, investigate the coolest new reissues, and more.
    ...on sale here.

©, 2001 amazon.com and ncdn associate. Editor, Beth Massaassociates of amazon.com,bn,tower,cdnow

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reviews excerpted are copyright © 2001 amazon.com & associate ncdn and CDnow, TowerRecords, Barnes & Nobel associates