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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 6, 2008

MARGOT & THE NUCLEAR SO AND SO'S:
NOT ANIMAL
(EPIC) ***

Margot & the Nuclear So and So's completed about two dozen songs for this, its second album. The band's label, Epic, chose one version, "Not Animal," while the band's, "Animal!" is available on vinyl.

"Not Animal," though, is no compromise. Songwriter Richard Edwards' characters run through drugs, lovers and risk searching for sensation in a world so full of it they're numb. The band's deceptively narcotic mix of acoustic folk, psychedelic pop and touches of MOR elevates Edwards' sharp, bleakly funny lyrics.

Margot & the Nuclear So and So's perform Sunday at Crowbar in Ybor City.

Download this: "As Tall as Cliffs"

Curtis Ross

T.I.:
PAPER TRAIL
(ATLANTIC) ***½

Across his first five CDs, T.I.'s favorite topics have been drug dealing, violence and him being the "realest." What a difference a year and the threat of a lengthy prison sentence make.

Since cutting a generous deal on gun charges, T.I. emerges as a socially conscious rapper.

On "Paper Trail," T.I.'s references to drugs and violence are genuinely cautionary. The ego is still there, but humbled.

His return to writing down his lyrics is reflected in the deeply personal "No Matter What" and "Dead And Gone," two of the most poignant rap songs in awhile.

But T.I. still knows how to make club tracks and "Live Your Life" and "Swing Ya Rag" are among his best.

Download this: "Live Your Life"

Joinville Michel

MICHELLE WILLIAMS:
UNEXPECTED
(SONY) **½

Michelle Williams, the sometimes forgettable member of Destiny's Child, attempts to jump back into the pop/R&B charts with her third solo album, "Unexpected," in which she dumps her gospel background for Euro-electronica and voice synthesizers.

The album is a decent fix for the weekend party girl and "Hello Heartbreak" and "Private Party," two bass-pumping anthems, should find their way into nightclub rotation. Unfortunately, Williams doesn't show maturity as a vocalist and "Unexpected" lacks the stylish, R&B flavor that has allowed former band mates Beyonce Knowles and Kelly Rowland rise to the top of the genre.

"Unexpected" is more reminiscent of '90s pop group Ace of Base than Alicia Keys, and if Williams wanted to opt out of competing for R&B stature, she did just that with this dance-leaning album.

Nick Williams

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