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searing "I Never Thought I'd Live This Long." The Montgomery Gentry muscle ALBUMS E S S E N T I A L R E V I E W S car just found another gear.-RW

Edited by Michael Paoletta AVRIL LAVIGNE Under My Skin LATIN PRODUCERS: Butch Walker, Raine POP Maida, Don Gilmore * CROOKED STILO Arista /RCA 82876 -59774 Puro Escándalo WILSON PHILLIPS RELEASE DATE: May 25 PRODUCERS: Johnny and Victor López California Whatever you may think of Avril La- Headliners /Fonovisa 0883 513662 PRODUCER: Peter Asher vigne, one thing is certain: She has RELEASE DATE: May 11 Columbia CK 92103 captured some catchy songs on her Crooked Stilo -the duo of Salvador-born, RELEASE DATE: May 25 sophomore set. The Canadian artist Los Angeles -based brothers Johnny and An album of cover material works co -wrote the album's 12 tunes, reveal- Victor López-is, on first listen, a varia- both for and against Wilson Phillips. ing a somewhat darker and more tion of urban/regional duo Akwid (who Familiar tunes and lyrics set a nice mature sound. If her 2002 debut, "Let guests on one track). But by sampling backdrop for beautiful harmonies, Go," was for day, consider "Under My standards and using highly sexualized but, unfortunately, most of the songs Skin" for night. Lending a hand this lyrics, the duo has more in common with have seen livelier days. "California" is LENNY KRAVITZ time around are producers Butch DIEGO TORRES mainstream rap. Debut album "Puro an homage to the music the trio - Baptism MTV Unplugged Escándalo" goes from clever to raunchy, Chynna Phillips and Wendy and PRODUCER: Lenny Kravitz PRODUCERS: AfoVerde, Diego Torres its lyrical content more intent on having Carnie Wilson -grew up listening to. Virgin 7243 5 84145 2 3 BMG U.S. Latin 82876 -60783 fun than transmitting serious cultural By far the most spirited songs are RELEASE DATE: May 18 RELEASE DATE: May 18 lessons. The album samples familiar "Monday, Monday" and "Dance, With his seventh album, Lenny Diego Torres' "MTV Unplugged" is songs from all Latin genres, including Dance, Dance," originally performed Kravitz enthusiastically returns to the one of those albums that restores Colombian cumbias "Colegiala" and by the Mamas & the Papas and the retro styling of his early work. Like its your faith in pop music. Beautifully "Mentirosa," Camilo Sesto's "Melina" and Beach Boys, respectively. Perhaps lead single, "Where Are We Runnin' ?," executed and lovingly crafted, it Willy Chirino's "Escándalo." It's gim- these remakes are so lively because "Baptism" is a respectable effort. exudes the enthusiasm of its live micky, but the sophisticated production the girls let their hair down and Though the songs on this collection recording. But with a bonus: Torres' and effortless rhymes are a step above channeled the '60s spirit of their par- mostly fall short of dynamic early extraordinary voice shines in this what Latin hip -hop usually offers. This ents (John and Michelle Phillips and rockers like "Are You Gonna Go My setting in a way that has yet to be signals a change in direction for the Brian Wilson). Also included are Way ?," the straight -ahead, distorted fully captured in the studio. At 17 genre -despite the fact that the López tepid versions of the Byrds' read on guitar -heavy "Lady" and funk/soul tracks, the unplugged set is lengthy brothers are fixated on sex and girls. So, "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything "Storm" should please fans of the for- but rich in variation. Torres hooks don't be surprised when a track like There Is a Season)" and Fleetwood mer hits. Interestingly, though, the up with Julieta Venegas (and her "Mujeres Casadas" makes you blush. -LC Mac's "Go Your Own Way," which is ballads work best. Again recalling such accordion) for a tropical- sounding the lead single. -KK earlier songs as the Lennon -esque Walker of the Marvelous 3, Raine "Sueños" and with Vicentito for a "Stand by My Woman," the reverb- Maida of Our Lady Peace and Don bailanta -esque "Usted." He accompa- WORLD KILLSWITCH ENGAGE drenched piano that anchors "Calling Gilmore (Linkin Park, Pearl Jam). The nies himself on piano on "Tal Vez," The End of Heartache All Angels" and "The Other Side" end result is a one -two punch of radio - which also features a string quartet, * ARTO LINDSAY PRODUCER: Adam Detkiewicz reveal the artist in a reflective, melan- ready, rock -tinged riffs and Lavigne's and a troupe of child drummers are Salt Roadrunner RDRF 10090 choly, even remorseful mood. He signature defiant yet introspective spotlighted on closing track "Color PRODUCERS: Melvin Gibbs, Kassin & RELEASE DATE: May 11 muses on "The Other Side," "Could a vocals. Now 19, the singer's lyrics Esperanza." BMG hopes to finally Berna Ceppas, Arto Lindsay Killswitch Engage is at the forefront of wife and some children be better than reflect the universal chaos of being a break its Argentinean star in the Righteous Babe 035 -D the metal -core movement, which being in a band ?" That observation is teenager. Known for her tomboyish States with a new track, "Cantar RELEASE DATE: May 11 eschews the self -pitying histrionics and also evident in "California," an other- "girls kick ass" sensibility, Lavigne Hasta Morir." An uplifting anthem à Lindsay continues his intriguing explo- rap element of nü -metal for a sound wise jubilant, power-pop workout. appears to be following in the footsteps la "Color Esperanza," it should find a ration of Brazilian and American music that is closer to hardcore -but with "Baptism" is vintage Kravitz, familiar of Alanis Morissette. Except there is no space on Latin radio and also satisfy with his latest CD, "Salt." With every melody. Temporarily set back when terrain to classic rock fans. -CW rug involved, only skin.-KK Torres followers. -LC record he cuts, his musical sophistica- original vocalist Jesse David Leach left tion grows exponentially, while his song - the band after the release of "Alive or writing becomes more subtle. Lindsay's Just Breathing" in 2002, Killswitch duces the pair to the masses. 8Ball & DANCE /ELECTRONIC COUNTRY work with Kassin & Berna Ceppas on returns with a more than capable MJG even take a crack at playing "Salt" is really quite wonderful, adding replacement in Howard Jones. And this ladies' men on "Trying to Get at You" dynamic colors to the inviting, elemen- follow -up is very solid indeed. The (featuring 112). Other guests include * USTAD SULTAN KHAN MONTGOMERY GENTRY tal beats of "Personagem," "Combustfv- band remains true to the sound it engi- Ludacris, TI, 7ivista and P. Diddy. With Rare Elements You Do Your Thing el" and "Habite Em Mim." Another very neered on the last album: a riff-heavy, a little help from Diddy, 8Ball & MJG PRODUCER: David Nichtern PRODUCER: Blake Chancey, Rivers Rutherford, cool track is "Jardim Da Alma," a tune dual guitar approach merges with will get the commercial recognition 5 Points Records FPT0113 Joe Scaife, Jeffrey Steele that blends sensual Brazilian tempo with Jones' alternately shrieking and croon- they so deserve. -RH RELEASE DATE: May 18 Columbia 90558 abrupt noise rock/rap. On the title track, ing vocals. The melodic choruses and New label 5 Points Records debuts with RELEASE DATE: May 18 Lindsay's featherweight voice becomes musicianship are what make Killswitch WHITE BOY the very hip "Rare Elements," the first Montgomery Gentry has managed to the -melodic passage in an arrangement unique. Stand -out tracks include No Gray Area in a series that shines the light on mas- break through and hang around a while that's little more than a programmed "When Darkness Falls," "Rose of PRODUCERS: various ter musicians and international because it knows its strengths: hard - drum amidst an array of twinkling elec- Sharyn" and the title cut. -BT Icee ICR 6468 DJ /remixers. For this first installment, edged country rock with plenty of atti- tronic flourishes. Ever since Lindsay RELEASE DATE: May 18 Sarangi master Usted Sultan Khan per- tude and no small dose of soul. The duo released "Noon Chill" in 1998, he's been With a host of famous friends by his forms 10 original tracks, which were also has a knack for picking the right increasingly shrewd and insightful in R&D/HIP-HOP side, newcomer White Boy aims to be then reconstructed by Thievery Corpo- material: Eddie Montgomery brings drawing from his Brazilian and rock the next Chicago MC to make a name ration, Joe Claussell, Ralphi Rosario, energy, passion and personality to hard - background. "Salt" is a milestone in his BBALL & MJG for himself with this, his debut set. Nickodemus & Osiris and others. With charging stuff like "Something to be progression from noise rocker to his Living Legends Lead single "U Know" serves as an such a musically diverse collection of Proud Of," and the pair impressively current groove, which embraces a much PRODUCERS: various impressive introduction for the MC. producers, expect an equally diverse team up with Hank Williams Jr. on "I more enthralling musical world. -PW Bad Boy /Universal B0002389 Featuring Kanye West and singer John aural landscape. Thievery's dark and Ain't Got It All That Bad." Likewise, Troy RELEASE DATE: May 11 Legend, the West -produced track offers mysterious mix of "Tarana" is primed Gentry is totally believable on plucky Atlanta may have the lock on crunk a soulful backdrop for the two MCs' for trendy restaurants and lounges, fare like leadoff single "If You Ever Stop JAZZ music now, but don't count out Ten- crafty verses. White Boy shows his while Rosario's tribal re -rub of "Maula" Loving Me" and the leavin' rave -up nessee. Veteran MCs/Memphis natives "softer" side on "Daddy." The semi - awaits peak -hour dancefloor play. Ditto "Gone." The title cut seethes and roils JAMIE CULLUM 8Ball & MJG have been crafting their autobiographical tale, which features for Claussell's hypnotic re-tweaking of with power, and Montgomery showcases Twentysomething own brand of crunk for 11 -plus years. Public Announcement's Felony, tackles "Sayaji." A track like "Jaadu (Magic)," as a rough -hewn way with a ballad on "She PRODUCER: Stewart Levine The duo makes its Bad Boy debut -its the often sensitive subject of growing revisited by Nickodemus & Osiris, Loved Me." Elsewhere, "I Got Drunk" is Verve B0002273 first album in three years -with the up without a father. Other highlights intertwines world, electronic and hip - an unapologetic, bluesy barroom classic, RELEASE DATE: May 11 aptly titled "Living Legends." Lead sin- include the R &B- tinged "It's Alright." hop beats. With Khan's "Elements," and Gentry shows surprising vulnerabil- liventy- four-year -old British singer/ gle "You Don't Want Drama" is a "No Gray Area" is a colorful start for rhythms of the world seamlessly unite ity on `Talking to My Angel." The two- pianist Jamie Cullum's debut has already (Continued on page 47) crunk anthem that perfectly r e i n t r o - White Boy. -RH to form one global groove. -MP some ends with typical toughness on a

Keith Caulfield, Leila Cobo, Gordon Ely, Deborah Evans Price, Rashaun Hall, Katy Kroll, Gail Mitchell, Michael Paoletta, Bram Teitelman, Christa L. Titus, Anastasia Tsioulcas, Philip van Vleck, Ray Waddell, CONTRIBUTORS Christopher Walsh. ESSENTIALS: Releases deemed by the review editors to deserve special attention on the basis of musical merit and/or Billboard chart potential.VITAL REISSUES: Rereleased albums of special artistic, archival and commercial interest and outstanding highly recommended because of their musical merit. All albums commercially available in the United States. collections of works by one or more artists. PICKS glo.): New releases predicted to hit the top half of the chart in the corresponding format. CRITICS' CHOICES ( *): New releases, regardless of chart potential, are eligible. Send album review copies and singles review copies to Michael Paoletta (Billboard, 770 Broadway, 6th floor, NewYork, N.Y. 10003) or to the writers in the appropriate bureaus.

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