Entertainment, Music - Army Times

Music picks: Week of Dec. 19

Spotlight

Nas, “Hip Hop Is Dead” (Three and one-half stars out of four)

Genre: Transcendent rap

“Long live hip-hop” might as well be the subtitle of this sizzling manifesto from one of rap’s most compelling and challenging voices. Assessing the past, present and future of a genre that, like rock ‘n’ roll before it, has evolved from an explosive subculture into a mainstream phenomenon, Nas scorns, embraces and ultimately transcends the cliches and contradictions that have accompanied this journey. His sobering, slamming missives are tempered and enriched by ironic humor and earnest self-reflection. “We used to be a ghetto secret/Can’t make my mind up if I want that,” he admits on the searing “Carry on Tradition”; while on “Black Republican,” he and ex-rival Jay-Z trade lines over an ominous orchestral sample. Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Will.I.Am and others also contribute to Nas’ deftly syncopated, fiercely musical riffs. “If hip-hop should die, we all die together,” Nas warns colleagues and fans. But as long as there are artists willing and able to produce work this vital, there’s no need to start making funeral arrangements. - Elysa Gardner

- Download: the tracks mentioned above, the percolating “You Can’t Kill Me,” the bittersweet “Blunt Ashes”

- Skip: Nothing requires skipping.

Albums

Bow Wow, “The Price of Fame” (Two and one-half stars)

Genre: Safe rap

The 19-year-old rapper has long since shed the “Lil”’ tag of his boy-wonder-of-rap days, but he still caters to the kids in the Scream Tour crowd with songs such as the hit “Shortie Like Mine” (with Chris Brown). Otherwise, he spends plenty of time cataloging his riches. He gives a nod to the streets with “4 Corners,” featuring Lil’ Wayne, Pimp C, Lil’ Scrappy and Short Dawg. That’s about as edgy as it gets. - Steve Jones

- Download: “Price of Fame,” “Shortie Like Mine,” “I’m a Flirt,” featuring R. Kelly

- Skip: “How You Move It,” “Bet That”

“Taylor Hicks” (Two and one-half stars)

Genre: The idol has landed

It’s probably damning Hicks with faint praise to say that the “American Idol” champ’s debut is more winning than anyone had a right to expect. The mostly generic tunes provided by a predictable posse of studio vets include a few surprisingly savvy showcases for Hicks’ gray-haired soul shtick. Alas, a pair of hokey originals should dispel any notions of the crooner as a budding troubadour. - Elysa Gardner

- Download: the effervescent “Give Me Tonight” and “The Runaround”

- Skip: the plodding “Dream Myself Awake” and inaccurately titled “Soul Thing”

DJ Clue, “The Professional, Part 3” (Three and one-half stars)

Genre: Maestro of mixtapes returns

The mixtape master’s first major-label album in six years is even more star-studded than his previous efforts. Clue’s gift is bringing out the best in an artist with these raw, street-oriented new-music compilations. With so much variety, it never drags. If you’re tired of the same old same old on radio, just pop this in and press play. - Jones

- Download: “War” (by Nas), “Like This” (Fabolous/Kanye West), “Liberty Bell” (Beanie Sigel/Cassidy), “U Don’t Wanna” (Fat Joe/Remy Ma), “It Was All Good a Week Ago, Part 2” (The Game/Mario Winans)

Joanna Newsom, “Ys” (Four stars)

Genre: Magical mystery tour

Newsom plays the harp (the stringed kind). She writes really long songs (one of the five on “Ys” approaches 17 minutes; none is under seven). Her voice can be childlike and ancient, often in the same verse. (Comparisons are tricky, but it may - or may not - help if you think of ‘70s star “Melanie.”) And, thanks to a vivid knack for melodies, a finely honed gift for lyrical mythmaking and the secret weapon of cult hero Van Dyke Parks’ breathtaking orchestrations, she has crafted an album of infinite fascination and almost unfathomable depth. - Ken Barnes

- Download: The album’s not for all tastes, so opener “Emily” should tell you whether you’ll love it or heave it

Reissue roundup

The La’s, “BBC in Session” (Four stars)

Genre: New take on classic one-shot

For discerning fans of UK pop who worship at the altar of the only official album by Liverpool’s The La’s, this collection of often strikingly different versions of songs on the album (and a few that weren’t) is an almost Grail-level find. - Barnes

- Download: The anthemic “There She Goes,” “Doledrum,” “I.O.U.,” many more

The Supremes, “This Is the Story: The ‘70s Albums, Vol. 1” (Three stars)

Genre: Post-Diana pleasures

Pop mythology has it wrong - The Supremes’ career did not instantly wither commercially or artistically after Diana Ross left in 1969. Copious proof can be found on this three-disc set, which includes several unreleased tracks plus five complete albums, including a gem produced and arranged by Jimmy Webb. - Barnes

- Download: “Up the Ladder to the Roof,” psych-pop nugget “Nathan Jones,” “Paradise”

The Charlatans, “Forever: The Singles” (Three stars)

Genre: Brit-pop variety-pak

An erratic album band, The Charlatans sound impressively multidimensional and frequently thrilling on these 1990-2006 vintage singles. Any Stone Roses/Oasis fan is sure to find a few - possibly a lot - of things to like. - Barnes

- Download: first hit “The Only One I Know,” “How High,” “My Beautiful Friend”

The playlist

Steve Jones highlights the most intriguing tracks found during the week’s listening.

“This Christmas,” Donnie Hathaway

Revered soul singer’s beloved anthem is always guaranteed to bring plenty of good cheer during the holiday season.

“I Have a Dream,” Common

This single uses samples from Martin Luther King Jr.’s most famous speech as the backdrop for Common’s uplifting rhymes.

“Black Republican,” Nas featuring Jay-Z

A fiery polemic from two hip-hop superstars who just two years ago would have been more likely to be firing hot verses at each other than standing together.

“Runaway Love,” Ludacris featuring Mary J. Blige

Powerful track that examines the plight of young girls at risk to falling victim to abuse or the streets.

“The Makings of You,” Curtis Mayfield

Both Monica (“A Dozen Roses”) and Black Ty/Tyrese (“Roses”) have sampled Mayfield’s gorgeous ballad from his 1970 solo debut album, “Curtis. ”

“Dangerous,” Ying Yang Twins featuring Wyclef

Guitar-fueled tale from duo’s “Chemically Imbalanced” about an irresistible maneater who is driving all the men wild in the club.

“You Know I’m No Good,” Ghostface Killah featuring Amy Winehouse

Ghostface, who seems to keep running into these femme fatales, puts another scandalous one in check over a smoky nightclub groove.

“Imagine,” Snoop Dogg featuring Black Ty, Dr. Dre and D’Angelo

Rap music has made superstars out of Snoop and Dr. Dre, but on this remix of a track from Snoop’s “The Blue Carpet Treatment,” they ponder how life would be if their creative outlet had never existed. It’s also nice to hear the long- MIA D’Angelo.

“50 Shots,” Papoose

New York underground rapper unleashes his anger over incident in which a man was killed on the eve of his wedding by a hail of 50 rounds fired by five policemen outside a club. The protest song samples Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.”

“Hood Boy,” Fantasia featuring Big Boi

Former “American Idol” drops her previous ballad style with this brassy declaration of what she’s looking for in a man. Outkast rhymer adds a little hood authenticity.