4Play

Aug. 23, 2006

Chris Isaak – Best Of (Wicked Game/Reprise)

Over twenty years have passed since Chris Isaak first brought his love for Sun Records and pop songcraft to the masses, but as this near-perfect compilation proves time and again, heartache and longing are timeless.   Along with a few appealing new songs – including a jaunty Cheap Trick cover – these choice album cuts as well as smashes like “Wicked Game” and “Somebody’s Crying” seduce with an easygoing vibe that speaks of surf and summer days, and everything that summer nights can bring.  (And try to spring for the CD/DVD version, where Isaak’s running commentary deconstructs every video with self-

Goldfrapp – Supernature (Mute)
The weird and wonderful world of Goldfrapp just got a hardware upgrade with a different kind of laptop in mind.   Version 3.0 finds the glam-rock platform stomp that powered a thousand spinning disco balls uploaded and file transferred into a wooing cooing female HAL 9000 with a multi-octave range and rows of synths set to “bliss.”   Lead vocalist Allison Goldfrapp’s sex-kitten vocals sprinkle cybernetic glitter all over such massive missives as “Ooh La La” (a reboot of “Spirit In The Sky” aimed right between the thighs) and “Slide In,” leaving no doubt that this operating system is ready for business.

Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs – Under The Covers Vol. 1 (Shout! Factory)
Two primo power-poppers (“Sid” Sweet & “Susie” Hoffs) take an hour from their respective solo careers to revisit their ‘60s musical roots with winning results.   While some obvious choices abound – two Neil Young tunes? – it’s the lesser-known tracks from acts like Love and The Left Banke that let Sid and Susie stretch and shine.   The straightforward arrangements sparkle with sweet harmonies in all the right places, with periodic bursts of biting guitar courtesy of ex-Television axeman Richard Lloyd.  With the easygoing vibe falling in lockstep with the choice material, the next volume from Sid and Susie should be just as much fun.

Pharrell – In My Mind (Star Trak/Interscope)
The more outgoing visible half of the multi-platinum production squad The Neptunes steps into the spotlight in this much-delayed solo debut, split between soulful loverman seductions and braggadocio, harder-edged rap from his bling-oriented, alter-ego Skateboard P.   But Pharrell’s game of splice the genre leaves nothing fully fleshed out, and even the parade of guest shots from ringers like Jay-Z and Gwen Stefani fail to salvage the few morsels that stand out amid a stew of undercooked beats.   This rare misfire from one of pop and soul’s finest architects proves that this time out, what’s in his mind should have stayed there.