THE-DREAM
“Love King”
***½
ON his third (and he says last) solo record, R&B hit maker The-Dream — famous for writing tunes such as Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” and Rihanna’s “Umbrella” — has created another collection of cutting edge hip-pop.
The-Dream, whose given name is Terius Nash, coos confidently as he woos ladies. He’s studied the masters from Marvin Gaye to R. Kelly and has subtly incorporated elements of their styles into his own songs. Less subtly, he’s donned purple for two of the disc’s best songs, “Nikki Part 2” and “Yamaha,” on which The-Dream raids arrangements, vocals and tempos from Prince.
This is a mostly serious record that gets a tickle on the syncopated novelty song “Florida University,” on which the school’s initials serve as the flip-off chorus.
3OH!3
“Streets of Gold”
**½
TAKE a healthy dose of electro-pop, add some frat-boy rap and a general brattiness, and you have the building blocks of “Streets of Gold,” the sophomore record by Boulder, Colo., duo 3OH!3. It’s a summer confection that’s fun on the first few spins, but gets tired fast.
Among the most poppy songs (that won’t put you right to sleep) are the 3OH!3/Ke$ha collaboration “My First Kiss” and the infectious, yet juvenile “House Party.”
ALEJANDRO
ESCOVEDO
“Street Songs of Love”
***
ALEJANDRO Escovedo has been making music since the mid-’70s, fronting everything from punk bands to alt-country acts, and he’s never enjoyed big commercial success. This, his 10th studio album, isn’t likely to change that, but it’s still required listening for anyone who digs old-school rock ‘n’ soul.
The San Antonio native has an urgent yet hearty quality in his voice that reminds you a little of the late Warren Zevon and a lot of Bob Seeger and Bruce Springsteen. The Boss evenlends his voice to rollicking rocker “Faith,” a fast, raw tune that kicks it up a notch with a Rolling Stones-like guitar riff.
JIMMY WEBB
“Just Across the River”
***
Hearing old Jimmy Webb songs, such as “Wichita Lineman,” on this new all-star duets album, gives you even greater appreciation of his contributions to pop music. Rather than attempting to be a comprehensive retrospective of all his biggest hits, this record gathers timeless, romantic story songs that can stand up to country arrangements. “Wichita Lineman,” accented with dobro slides and performed with Billy Joel is perfect; and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” in a duet with his longtime interpreter Glen Campbell — who had a hit with it in 1968 — has a built-in sense of loneliness courtesy of the pedal steel guitar. Also lending their voices are Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, and Mark Knopfler — all good. But none top the leather-and-lace quality Lucinda Williams brings to the homesick lost-love ballad “Galveston.” For Webb buffs, it should be noted his very famous “MacArthur Park” epic was left out in the rain since it didn’t work in the country framework of this disc.