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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 23, 2008

Updated:

BLITZEN TRAPPER:

FURR

(SUB POP) ***½

Somewhere along the way, bands having a sound became bands playing in monochrome - wedging themselves into their own pigeonhole such that even a slight variance sends Spin or Rolling Stone swooning about "eclecticism."

Blitzen Trapper isn't so much eclectic as it is able to play whatever frontman Eric Earley's songs demand. On "Furr," the Portland, Ore., band plays folk ballads, blues stomps, pop, country or whatever each of the 13 tracks needs to turn it into a sparkling gem.

A few more bands such as Blitzen Trapper and albums such as "Furr," and the shuffle function on your iPod might fall into disuse. They used to have a name for this sort of stuff. They called it rock.

Download this: "Sleepytime in the Western World"

Curtis Ross

HOLLY GOLIGHTLY AND THE BROKEOFFS:

DIRT DON'T HURT

(TRANSDREAMER) ***

Nashville could learn a thing or two from British (!) singer Holly Golightly, who, with the help of Texas pal Lawyer Dave (he's The Brokeoffs) mines the soul of the South with more authentic twang than we've heard from Music City in decades.

Golightly got her start with Thee Headcoatees, an all-girl garage rock combo, but "Dirt Don't Hurt" runs the gamut: There's country-tinged folk blues ("Up Off the Floor"), bitter bluegrass breakups ("My .45"), dusty moonshine stomps ("Bottom Below"), scuzzy retro blues-rock ("I Wanna Hug Ya, Kiss Ya, Squeeze Ya") and reverb-drenched juke-joint rave-ups ("Gettin' High for Jesus"). All feature wry lyrics delivered with sweet harmonies.

Download this: "My .45"

Rommie Johnson

BEN FOLDS:

WAY TO NORMAL

(EPIC) **½

On "Way to Normal," Ben Folds moves away from writing with his heart on his sleeve and into writing with his tongue in his cheek. Shocking swear words supplant seething cynicism; raucous rancor replaces empathetic nuance.

The album, if disjointed, still features some great pop moments. "You Don't Know Me" is a great little ditty that features indie sweetheart Regina Spektor and lush, staccato strings. "Cologne" retains the power to make you misty and echoes sentiments that propelled "Rockin' the Suburbs" into the pop psyche.

Still, there seems to be a lack of new ideas here. If a songwriter finds muse in short supply in this political, social and economic climate, maybe it's time for some fresh air.

Download this: "You Don't Know Me"

Ryan Bauer

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