By the Writers of Last Word Features

Patty Griffin: ‘Downtown Church’
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So what if she’s a lapsed-Catholic, little-red-haired girl from New England? Under producer Buddy Miller, Patty Griffin pulls off gospel so well, she could beat the pope in a spirituality contest —and seriously challenge Aretha Franklin for that queen of soul crown.

Backed by gospel greats the McCrary sisters and Mike Farris, plus Julie Miller, Emmylou Harris, Jim Lauderdale and others, she aces this mix of classics and rarities. Her almost-sinister “Death’s Got A Warrant” could make the devil shiver. “If I Had My Way” builds in sexy intensity until it nearly explodes.
Singing from the pulpit of a Nashville church has transformed Griffin into an even more powerful musical force — one who already deserves next year’s gospel Grammy.
— Lynne Margolis
Buy if you like: Buddy & Julie Miller, Emmylou Harris.

Lady Antebellum: ‘Need You Now’
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Riding the wave created by the chart-topping country single, “I Run To You,” from its self-titled first CD, Lady Antebellum deservedly took home the major country awards for best new act and is up for a pair of Grammys on Jan. 31. So it’s no surprise that the group wasn’t going to mess with a winning sound on its second CD, “Need You Now.” And there’s nothing wrong with that because this trio has a genuine talent for rootsy country/pop.
The CD is headlined by its chart-topping single, the lovely mid-tempo title track about late-night longing for an ex-beau. That song is on its way to out-performing “I Run To You.” But there are plenty of other gems, such as the piano-laced “Our Kind Of Love” and the crunchy “Stars Tonight.”
Overall, the “Need You Now” CD leans slightly more toward softer material than the first album and occasionally feels a little safe (“Feel This Pain” is a by-the-numbers country pop tune). But most of the album hits the mark. Far from flirting with a sophomore slump, “Need You Now,” suggests that Lady Antebellum will remain a steady presence on the charts and will soon be one of country’s latest arena-headlining stars. – Alan Sculley
Buy if you like: Rascal Flatts, Sugarland.

The Len Price 3: ‘Pictures’
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With a sound that harkens back to 1960s British invasion acts like the Who and the Kinks, the Len Price 3 fits nicely on Little Steven Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records roster of garage rock-oriented acts. And “Pictures,” the group’s third CD, suggests Van Zandt made a nice find in signing the band.
The new CD mostly avoids one of the chief flaws of its predecessor, “Rentacrowd” – the tendency to do songs that sound like direct imitations of ‘60s rock classics. There are, of course, still plenty of echoes of ‘60s Brit-rock and garage rock on “Pictures,” but the Len Price 3 has begun to incorporate its influences in ways that don’t sound like outright thievery. What’s more, the songwriting skills have sharpened. Tracks like “The Girl Who Became A Machine,” “Nothing Like You” and “Man Who Used To Be” are brisk rockers packed with hooks, while songs like “After You’re Gone” (with its echoes of Beach Boys harmonies) and the jangly “Mr. Grey” add a poppier side to the group’s sound. Solidly crafted and played with plenty of energy, “Pictures” proves the Len Price 3 has found the right way to breathe life into the classic sounds of ‘60s rock. – Alan Sculley
Buy if you like: The Jam, The Who.

Various Artists: ‘Crazy Heart’ Soundtrack
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Part of what makes this soundtrack so interesting is that it’s hard to tell where the actors leave off and the musicians begin; that is, Jeff Bridges, Colin Farrell and Robert Duvall all contribute tracks—and fit right in with Ryan Bingham, the Louvin Brothers, Sam Phillips and departed Texans Townes Van Zandt, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Buck Owens and Waylon Jennings.
That fact is driven home with two versions of the tune  “I Don’t Know.” Bingham makes it a twang-rocker; Bridges’ version is Cajun-flavored, with Joel Guzman on accordion. Both work equally well. Bingham’s wonderful “The Weary Kind (Theme From ‘Crazy Heart’)” may have earned the Golden Globe, but any of these songs could have been nominated. They all evoke Texas—and the kind of toll a musical life can take .
— Lynne Margolis
Buy if you like: Ryan Bingham, Kris Kristofferson, Billy Joe Shaver.

Cold War Kids: ‘Behave Yourself’
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Word from the Cold War Kids is the band is getting to work on its next full-length CD, which will be the follow-up to 2008’s very good “Loyalty To Loyalty” album. Not satisfied with that, the group has released “Behave Yourself,” a four-song EP that should keep fans sated until that next album arrives.
The songs on the EP aren’t throw-aways; they represent a solid addition to the edgy pop that has defined the group’s catalog. “Audience” leads things off with its infectious grooving piano spiked sound. “Coffee Spoon” goes in a smoother direction, with the vocals of Nathan Willett adding a gritty element to go with a guitar line that meanders throughout the song. “Santa Ana Winds” feels a bit under-developed, but its simple bass line provides an interesting counterpoint to the song’s chiming guitar riffs. The EP ends with “Sermons,” a spare and stately ballad that is both vaguely soulful and just a bit spooky.
None of the four songs sounds like the next, but the quality and inventiveness of “Behave Yourself” is a good sign for what’s to come on the band’s next full-length effort. – Alan Sculley
Buy if you like: Jeff Buckley, the Walkmen

REISSUE:

Whitney Houston: “Whitney Houston: The Deluxe Anniversary Edition”
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As landmark albums go, Houston’s 1985 self-titled debut is right up there with any CD one cares to name. It sold more than 25 million copies worldwide, spent 46 weeks in the top 10 on “Billboard” magazine’s album chart (including 14 at No. 1), and immediately established Houston as one of pop’s preeminent vocalists, while providing a stylistic blueprint for generations of divas to come.
The deluxe reissue of that album starts with the very worthy original album. Unfortunately the bonus material isn’t so inspiring. Three of the bonus tracks are dance-ish remixes, along with a live version of “The Greatest Love Of All” and a superfluous a capella rendition of “How Will I Know.”
A DVD disc has the videos of the CD’s four singles plus three television performances, which probably will of be of interest only to die-hard fans. Unfortunately, this new edition doesn’t include any unreleased songs – maybe there weren’t any left from the recording sessions – or anything that feels like the kind of true find that makes some deluxe versions of albums worth owning. The original album remains special. The rest of the material is not. – Alan Sculley
Buy if you like: Beyonce, Mariah Carey