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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 19, 2009

BEN KWELLER:
CHANGING HORSES
(ATO)**½

In case the titular allusion isn't explicit enough for you, the cover art, which looks like something emblazoned on the back of Gram Parsons' Nudie suit, says it all. Young Mr. Kweller is going country. Or, at least, countrypolitan. Kweller's sensibilities have always leaned toward the genteel, and his mannered take on traditional twang is no different.

Despite the odd lapse into embarrassing homage ("Fight," "Sawdust Man"), Kweller still peeks out from behind the pedal steel and dobro with simple, sentimental songs ("Hurtin' You," "Things I Like to Do") that play to his strengths: the boyish likeability of his voice and a knack for lyrics that are emotionally direct without making you want to punch him in the face.

Download this: "Things I Like to Do"

Rommie Johnson

INDIA.ARIE:
TESTIMONY: VOL. 2, LOVE & POLITICS
(UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC) ***

India.Arie has another crowd-pleaser with her follow-up to 2006's Grammy-nominated "Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship."

Upbeat singles "Therapy" and "Chocolate High" lead an album that's most remarkable for what's nestled in the cracks.

Arie branches out from soul and R&B into world music with "Ghetto," "Pearls" and "The Cure." The rhythms and humanitarian themes are a great fit for her, although the lyrics in places are a bit superficial ("There is a woman in the Congo, and she hurts like brand-new shoes").

But Arie is at her best when her voice and her passion are on full display. She stomps her feet and claps her hands for the backcountry blues of "Better Way," showcases her soulful voice on "River Rise" and collaborates with MC Lyte on an anthem to resilience, "Psalms 23."

Download this: "Better Way"

Emily Seawell

THE SOUL OF JOHN BLACK:
BLACK JOHN
(ELECTRO GROOVE) **

John Black does an admirable job of avoiding pigeonholing on "Black John." But he does so at the risk of cohesion.

Black is adept at modern and older styles of blues, funk, R&B and more. But rather than mix it up, he serves it up in compartmentalized chunks - one genre per song. "Black John" could be passed off as a shuffle-generated playlist and while that may speak well of Black John's musicianship, it doesn't make for much of an album.

The most enjoyable cuts are the midtempo R&B grooves such as "Last Forever" and "Never Givin' Up." The title track tries to update "Staggerlee" but falls short. The rest is pleasant but unmemorable.

Download this: "Last Forever"

Curtis Ross

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