CDs Oct 18

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THIS WEEK'S SINGLES

Kanye West --White Dress (Soul Temple)

Taken off the soundtrack for the upcoming RZA-helmed The Man With the Iron Fists, this understated, soul-drenched gem sees Kanye scaling back the bombast and bluster. At the risk of devaluing it, though, try not to think of Kim Kardashian when he rhymes, "Even though I met you in a club in a tight dress / at first sight I could picture you in a white dress." 'Ö'Ö'Ö'Ö

How to Destroy Angels -- Keep It Together (Columbia)

The first release from the Trent Reznor side project's forthcoming An Omen EP is, as you'd expect, a dark, trippy excursion, full of glitchy beats and ghostly vocals. You can picture it being used effectively in some kind of sinister serial-killer movie, but unfortunately, on its own, it's a little static. 'Ö'Ö'Ö

Ludacris feat. Kelly Rowland -- Representin (Island Def Jam)

Luda's refrain of "alright, alright, alriiiight... hey!" makes him sound like Will Smith circa '97 on this plodding, fairly uninspired number. The shout-out to comedian Kevin Hart (you gon' learn today!) is kind of funny the first time around, but as a whole, Representin does very little of its namesake. 'Ö'Ö

Serena Ryder -- Stompa (EMI)

The Millbrook, Ont., native, usually known for her friendly, folky pop, has opted instead for a much grimier groove this time out. Bluesy, driving guitars and a truly great vocal instantly conjure up an Adele-meets-the White Stripes scenario. 'Ö'Ö'Ö 1/2

-- Reviewed by Steve Adams

DAPHNI / Jiaolong (Merge)

DAN Snaith, who has released albums under the stage names Caribou and Manitoba, likes to tinker with musical projects. Under his latest performance moniker, Daphni, the musician delivers an ambiguous album of electronica that practically dares you to make sense of it.

Perhaps sense isn't the goal, however.

At its base, Jiaolong is a dance-paced collection of repetitious grooves interspersed with varied spurts of sound that weigh in more as experiment than accomplishment. Things start off in funky fashion with Yes, I Know. Snaith, as Daphni the producer, weaves an R&B vocal refrain in between a deep wobble of bass and some hand claps. Things stay heavy and rhythmic through Cos-Ber-Zam Ne Noya (Daphni Mix) and Ye Ye.

In the end, Jiaolong doesn't resonate as a finished product. Rather, it feels like a personal work in progress that Snaith decided to share. 'Ö'Ö'Ö

DOWNLOAD THIS: Long

-- Ron Harris, The Associated Press

DIANA KRALL / Glad Rag Doll (Verve)

DIANA Krall's last album, 2009's Quiet Nights, was quintessential Krall: a tasteful, careful, and artfully easygoing set of bossa-nova tunes. Glad Rag Doll is an anomaly: It's a lively, loose, and swinging bunch of old pop nuggets, mainly culled from Krall's father's collection of 78s of songs from the '20s and '30s.

T Bone Burnett produced, and he assembled some of his favourite players -- guitarist Marc Ribot, drummer Jay Bellarose, bassist Dennis Crouch, with a few guest turns from Krall's husband, Elvis Costello -- to accompany Krall's sexy, sometimes bluesy, singing and her surprisingly forceful piano. While not exactly Krall's rock record, Glad Rag Doll is earthy and precise, with moments of edgy friction (often courtesy of a delicious Ribot solo), and Krall sounds like she's having fun, whether on ancient songs such as There Ain't No Sweet Man That's Worth the Salt of My Tears or comparatively recent ones, such as Doc Pomus's Lonely Avenue. 'Ö'Ö'Ö 1/2

DOWNLOAD THIS: Lonely Avenue

-- Steve Klinge, Philadelphia Inquirer

ART GARFUNKEL / The Singer (Sony)

AT this late date, if anyone isn't clear on who Art Garfunkel is, he's the guy originally from '60s light pop duo Simon and Garfunkel -- the one who didn't record Graceland. On his own, the whirly-haired Art has had a couple of hits and those (Breakaway, Bright Eyes) are included, nested as they are among a few of S&G's radio hits from back in the day and a full plate of other Art-isms. This is light stuff people and two albums' worth of Garfunkel's whispery trill borders on aural cruelty -- unless of course you are of a certain age, then it's pungent stuff. Garfunkel's ace in the hole is his syrupy-sweet and charming way with a melody, and there is an interesting denseness to many of the arrangements here -- like Brian Wilson without the surf and sand. Fans should grab this two-CD set quickly, and if you are curious and mellow at heart, this may be the balm of the year. 'Ö'Ö'Ö

DOWNLOAD THIS: Disney Girls, Breakaway

-- Jeff Monk

SIENNA DAHLEN / Verglas (Justin Time)

CANADIAN singer Sienna Dahlen, who treats France as a second home, melds jazz and folk in seven of her own compositions with a pared-down band.

Dahlen's lyrics are engaging, but one of her strengths is the use of her voice as an instrument; her sometimes ethereal delivery and the spare instrumentation can be delightfully soothing.

She is backed by drummer Karl Jannuska, a former Manitoban living in Paris and frequent collaborator with Dahlen; Andrew Downing on five-string cello and bass; and French guitarist Pierre Perchaud. Dahlen plays piano and acoustic guitar.

Dahlen can be heard on Jannuska albums, but it is good to get a full dose of her beautiful voice and composing. Verglas is sort of, but not really jazz; sort of, but not really folk -- just good music. 'Ö'Ö'Ö 1/2

DOWNLOAD THIS: Carrie

-- Chris Smith

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 18, 2012 E7