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Comparing Asher Roth to Eminem is like comparing Richie Cunningham and The Fonz. Ash and Em sound a bit alike, but Asher addresses topics such as beer pong, poverty and the devotion of his father that neither Em nor any other rapper are touching. Production-wise, the CD is light on the boom bap associated with hip-hop and features a heavy dose of mellow guitar riffs that show where Asher's musical roots lie.

Asher reps the 'burbs. Creatively, he runs the risk of becoming stale like old bread.

Download this: "I Love College"

Joinville Michel

THE FLATLANDERS:

HILLS AND VALLEYS

(NEW WEST) ***

The latest release from Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock matches brilliant songwriting with stellar production from Lloyd Maines. The west Texas singer/songwriters formed the band more than 30 years ago, but soon split. Each saw solo success but remained friends, and reunited 10 years ago.

Arguably their best release to date and their first in five years, "Hills and Valleys" highlights their distinctive individual styles along with rich, comfortable harmonies. Accordion, fiddle and pedal steel add welcome texture to the 13-song disc.

Download this: "Homeland Refugee"

Andrea Halpern

BEN LEE:

THE REBIRTH OF VENUS

(NEW WEST) **

On opening track "What's So Bad (About Feeling Good)?" Lee expresses pity for an uppity onlooker who's too cool to look silly dancing: "I feel sad for you, you never take a chance," he sings, and it might as well be a manifesto. If there's one thing you can say about Lee, it's that he's not afraid to look - or sound - like a fool. As a result, he often does.

There may be no more apt song title in all of pop music than Lee's "Bad Poetry." His lyrics are guileless to the point of cringe-inducing embarrassment. Which is a shame, because the former child prodigy's tasteful guitar-pop shows a knack for catchy melodies. You might find yourself humming along if you can overlook the wide-eyed wonder of Lee's insipid verse.

Download this: "Sing"

Rommie Johnson