Album Reviews

Harry Connick Jr.

`Your Songs'

(SonyBMG)

For his latest album, jazz singer and actor Harry Connick Jr. obliged the requests of his fans, filling it with covers of classic love songs by Billy Joel, the Beatles, Burt Bacharach, the Carpenters and Elton John. Connick arranged, orchestrated and conducted all the music on the album, which was co-produced by Clive Davis.

With his smooth, warm voice, Connick charms listeners with numbers such as ``Just the Way You Are,'' ``Can't Help Falling in Love With You," ``Some Enchanted Evening," ``(They Long to be) Close to You," and "Mona Lisa." He gives the songs the big band jazz treatment, but it offers nothing new and feels uninspired. The song selection may also seem a bit on the cheesy side, but for romantics, ``Your Songs" will be perfect.

―Cathy Rose A. Garcia

Iron & Wine

`Around the Well'

(Beatball)

Iron & Wine has always had a dedicated following, but his mainstream popularity came after the song ``Flightless Bird, American Mouth" was featured in the blockbuster film ``Twilight." Both longtime and new fans will find new appreciation for Sam Beam in the two-disc ``Around the Well," featuring rare and unreleased tracks starting from 2002.

The first disc features Beam's lo-fi recordings of ``Such Great Heights," and ``Waiting for Superman." But it's the second disc that makes this album worth buying. It offers excellent studio production that somehow keeps the intimate sound of a live performance. ``The Trapeze Swinger,'' ``Communion Cups and Someone's Coat," and ``Belated Promise Ring" are real gems. This is an excellent compilation to tide fans over until Beam releases a new album.

Swell Season

`Strict Joy'

Two years after the overwhelming success of the indie film ``Once" and its soundtrack, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova have finally released a new album. On ``Strict Joy," Swell Season successfully recreates the warm, intimate sound from their live performances.

The first single ― ``Low Rising" ― offers a surprisingly funky beat, but Swell Season shines when it does slow, heartfelt songs. Hansard and Irglova, who ended their romantic relationship while recording the album, still have a strong musical partnership. Their voices blend effortlessly in ``Two Tongues" and ``Somebody Good" (which is only available on the Korean version of the album). Filled with brilliant songs, ``I Have Loved You Wrong," ``Fantasy Man" and ``Back Broke," the album won't disappoint fans.