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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 8, 2007

Updated: 11/07/2007 03:33 pm

HEAVY TRASH:

GOING WAY OUT WITH HEAVY TRASH

(YEP ROC) **

Gotham hipster Jon Spencer's pillaging of Southern music was a real hoot back in the ironic '90s but the shtick hasn't worn that well. When he sings "I had no roots here, no roots to hold me" on this album's more-or-less title track, "Way Out," he might as well be summing up his career.

Spencer, with Heavy Trash partner Matt Verta-Ray, is off to rockabilly now, a genre that allows his worst tendencies toward mawkishness to emerge. No matter how hard he tries, he'll never sound as nuts as a real 'billy, and his attempts sound like watered-down Cramps.

Things go better when he pays respects to soul ("Outside Chance") or sends up himself along with everything else ("You Can't Win").

Download this: "Outside Chance"

Curtis Ross

WILL.I.AM:

SONGS ABOUT GIRLS

(INTERSCOPE) **

This album is supposed to analyze real-life events plucked from the adventures of Will and the ladies. Problem is the tributes to booty and the ballads for strippers get tacky.

But, let's not trip; Will has talent. The producer/rapper has worked with Justin Timberlake, Nas and even Carlos Santana in the past, and he gets credit for not making a mix tape album starring his famous musical friends. ("The Donque Song" featuring Snoop Dogg is the only major collaboration.)

Although the beat-maker extraordinaire has the ability to create some deliriously juicy background noise that is annoyingly addictive, his skills as an emcee are better left to those who know how to flow.

Hey, Will, The Black Eyed Peas called and they want their producer back.

Download this: "Heartbreaker"

Sarah Hoye

KEYSHIA COLE:

JUST LIKE YOU

(GEFFEN) ***

Belting out her insecurities and heartache from a love gone wrong, Keyshia Cole's sophomore album sounds like a counseling session with def beats and catchy melodies.

The music is a smooth blend of love-sick ballads and modern R&B spiced up with I'm-over-you pop and hip-hop jams. Collaborations with Too Short, T.I., newcomer Amina, P. Diddy and Missy Elliott offer variety and should make for a parade of chart-toppers.

While Cole doesn't demonstrate a wide vocal range, she does possess the kind of harmonious, raspy voice that makes for a great blues singer. Her lyrics are soul gripping and will prove to anyone who's ever had a broken heart that she's "Just Like You."

Download this: "Fallin' Out"

Camille Scringer

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