Album Reviews

Will.i.am

`Songs About Girls'

Universal

Will.i.am, more popularly known as one-fourth of the Black Eyed Peas, has gone solo. His first single is the immensely catchy ``I Got It From My Mama,'' follows the style of the Peas' ``My Humps.''

Will certainly proves he is one of the music industry's best music producers. He creates a crazy mix of hip-hop and old school R&B music in this album. Among the best tracks are ``Over,'' ``Fantastic'' (which samples the Jackson 5 classic ``I Want You Back'') and the socially aware ``S.O.S. (Mother Nature).''

Since Will is known for his collaborations with stars like Justin Timberlake, Sergio Mendes and Pussy Cat Dolls, fans were expecting more collaborations in this album. However, the only collaboration included in the album is ``The Donque Song,'' a fantastic collaboration by Will and Snoop Dog

-Cathy Rose A. Garcia

Bruce Springsteen

`Magic'

SonyBMG

Rocker Bruce Springsteen has reunited his old band, ``E Street Band'' to release the new album ``Magic'' for the first time in five years since the Grammy-winning ``The Rising.''

Springsteen, who is known for his melange style of American rock mixed with soul, R&B and rock `n' roll, presents his tough vocals and cheerful rock sounds in this album.

The album co-produced by producer Brendan O'Brien includes the single ``Radio Nowhere,'' with strong rock 'n' roll beats created by his band and ``Livin' in the Future,'' in country-style, and ``You'll Be Coming Down.''

But he doesn't forget presenting his trademark numbers, ``Your Own Worst Enemy,'' ``Last To Die'' and ``Devil's Arcade,'' which exemplifies his antipathy against the Bush administration.

-Chung Ah-young

Joni Mitchell

‘Shine’

HEARMUSIC

Joni Mitchell has since the 1960s ranked among songwriting’s most significant and remarkable voices, traversing folk, rock and jazz. But her disdain for the music industry led Mitchell to announce in 2002 that she would no longer record albums.

She has lately reconsidered that decision. She returns in a typically thoughtful fashion with her first collection of new songs since 1998.

Some of these songs were developed for a recently debuted ballet based on the 63-year-old Canadian’s work, among them the frank, dark “If I Had a Heart,” which laments the Earth’s abuse at the hands of those who care less about its fate than she.

Mitchell’s voice is as lean and husky, as it has been for many years.

-- THOMAS KINTNER (LATIMES)