Album Reviews

Various Artists

`(500) Days of Summer'

(Warner Music Korea)

One of the best things about the Marc Webb film ``(500) Days of Summer'' is the music. Described as an ``anti-love story,'' the film's hip soundtrack is appropriately devoid of mushy love tunes and cheesy lyrics. It is a cool mix of old and new music, from The Smiths and Simon & Garfunkel to Regina Spektor and Feist.

It's a great way to remember the film's funniest moments like Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) playing The Smiths' ``Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want'' to get Summer's (Zooey Deschanel) attention, or Tom prancing in the streets to the tune of Hall & Oates' ``You Make My Dreams.'' Also included is former supermodel and now France's First Lady Carla Bruni's lovely 2002 song ``Quelqu'un M'a Dit'' (Someone Told Me).

― Cathy Rose A. Garcia

Diane Birch

`Bible Belt'

Diane Birch is a preacher's daughter with a smoky voice that invites comparisons to Carole King, Norah Jones and Aretha Franklin. Her debut album ``Bible Belt'' offers songs that blend soul, jazz, blues and pop, a welcome relief from all the electronic-driven songs that are clogging the airwaves.

Birch also plays the piano, and writes thoughtful lyrics about love and heartbreak. Her voice soars in tracks such as ``Fire Escape,'' ``Rewind'' and ``Magic View.'' Some of the songs may sound like it's from the 70s, but that's part of Birch's refreshing appeal.

Chris Brown

`Graffiti'

(SonyBMG)

It's hard to talk about Chris Brown without mentioning last year's high-profile scandal where in he assaulted girlfriend and pop star Rihanna. In his new album, Brown is eager to put this behind him, packing 20 songs, mostly club-ready dance numbers and sappy love songs.

Unlike Rihanna who addressed the scandal through her album ``Rated R,'' Brown tries to skirt the issue, except with some pointed lyrics on ``Famous Girl'' and ``So Cold.'' He comes across as a tad obnoxious when singing about partying, wooing girls and enjoying the good life. Fellow hip-hop stars Lil Wayne (``I Can Transform Ya''), Trey Songz ``Wait,'' Sean Paul (``Brown Skin Girl),'' and Lupe Fiasco (``Girlfriend'') lend their help. However, Brown's album is a retread of his previous efforts, and doesn't really offer anything innovative.

―Cathy Rose A. Garcia