Ingrid Michaelson: Girls and Boys

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I don't think Ingrid Michaelson can make a bad album. She's returned with more of the same here—piano-driven tracks that exude meaning and a unique sound somewhere between Ani DiFranco and the Late Tuesday girls. "Die Alone" features an electric intro that lures you in while her soaring voice carries you into a tune so whimsical in sound but meaningful lyrically. In it she sings, "I never thought I could love anyone but myself/Now I know/I can't love anyone but you/Make me think that maybe I won't die alone/Maybe I won't die alone." The morbid theme of death her is underlying--she sings so honestly about not wanting to die alone. Her songs are kind of simple yet edgy. I love the way she accentuates every word in her tracks with this girlish simplicity. Her rumbling piano harmonies and angelic voice atop of them give Michaelson a sound all her own—and another smashing album under her belt.
Favorite Tracks: Die Alone, Breakable
Rating: 5 stars

Late Tuesday: Drowning Out Love

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With more harmonies just as glorious as they've portrayed on their previous albums, this Northwestern trio has done it again. This time, though, the songs are a little more subdued in sound. With the exception of "Obvious Like Gravity," which features some up-tempo piano-driven beats in the band's typical whimsical fashion, the rest of these songs show the maturity of these gals...and their passion to continue making great tunes. In "Anyone But You," they get serious about moving on from love, singing, "I just can’t get over it, I still can’t get over it – not that I want to/And you just can’t get over me, it’s so darn encouraging/As long as I fall for anyone but you." Overall, another great album with plenty of meaning and some fun, engaging tunes that will keep you uplifted.
Favorite Tracks: Obvious Like Gravity, I'm Not Your Type
Rating: 4.5 stars

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Jeff Buckley: The Movie
A movie about legendary rock star Jeff Buckley is being made, according to reports. Buckley's mother Mary Guibert is understood to be working on the biopic, following the tragic death of her son in 1997. Guibert is expected to produce the movie, which is being written and directed by Brian Jun. There is currently no information about who will play Buckley. Speaking about the plans, Guibert said she had been inspired by the success and integrity of recent music biopics such as Ray and Walk The Line. She commented: "Over the years, the number of offers were unceasing. I had resisted for so many reasons, one being that Hollywood, traditionally, did a lousy job of realistically portraying the life of people like Jeff. But the possibility that it could happen without my participation set me back to re-examine why I wasn't doing it." Jeff Buckley released just one official LP, Grace, before drowning in 1997 at the age of 30.

Beck goes hip-hop
Beck has revealed his new album focuses principally on his love of hip-hop. The iconic pop star has confirmed the LP will be released this autumn, with production from Nigel Godrich, who has previously worked with both Beck and Radiohead. News of the album comes just over a year since the release of Guero and six months since the remix collection Guerolito. Beck told MTV this week: "Before we started, Nigel said he wanted to do a hip-hop record. And in a way it is, and in a way it isn't. It has hip-hop songs, and my previous work with him was Mutations and Sea Change, these sort of introspective records, and so this new one is sort of bringing those two worlds together." Beck will also reissue his landmark LP Odelay later this year, to mark the 10th anniversary of its release, featuring rarities, remixes, and B-sides.

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Ellie Lawson
With a folk-pop sound that stays organic and pure, Ellie Lawson has succeeded with her debut album, The Philosophy Tree. Now we talk to her about songwriting, meeting Ellen DeGeneres and life after labels. Read More...

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