Album briefs

Erika Wilkins

Spectrum Editor

“American VI: Ain’t No Grave” – Johnny Cash

Release Date: February 23, 2010

Johnny Cash is known for a slow-drawling, southern poignancy spoken steadily over simple yet melodic guitar strokes. ”American VI: Ain’t No Grave” doesn’t stray from Cash’s prescribed mantra. So if you didn’t like him before, you won’t finally “get it” but if you’re already riding Cash’s money train, you’ll have new beautifully spoken songs about life, death, religion and the loneliness of a tenacious man. In the words of the late musical poet; apparently, “ain’t no grave gonna hold” his “body down.”

Grade: B

Download (don’t steal): “Ain’t No Grave” by Johnny Cash

“Love & War” (Deluxe Edition) by Daniel Merriweather

Release Date: February 23, 2010

Daniel Merriweather’s “Love & War” aims to be a modern reincarnation of the days of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. He intends to lay down smooth yet robust, soulful melodies under pertinent lyrics. He aims. He misses. Merriweather’s delivery, his puerile, his attempts at debonair—inane. Unfortunately, his album is barely listenable. Even with artists like Wale and Adele accompanying him, all of his songs fall flat.

Grade: D

Download (don’t steal): “Change” by Daniel Merriweather ft. Wale

“Work” by Shout Out Louds

Release Date: February 23, 2010

Listening to “Work” will almost take you back to the coming-of-age teen movies of the 1980s big screen. You can almost, but not quite, see Molly Ringwald walking the halls in one of various signature get-ups. But instead of channeling that era and bringing it firmly into the 21st century, the Shout Out Louds just imitate musicians 20 years past—and not well. If you love the 80s, pull out a The Cure album and skip this painful parroting all together.

Grade: F

Download (don’t steal): “The Candle Burned Out” by Shout Out Louds