Pop and Rock

Soulbook (RCA/Sony)

SINCE 2002 Rod Stewart has donated his well-worn rasp to four American Songbook standards albums and one of rock nuggets. This time he turns his attention to classic soul, offering up his interpretation of 13 oldies such as It's the Same Old Song, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted and Wonderful World.

He enlists the help of Stevie Wonder on My Cherie Amour, Mary J. Blige on a syrupy You Make Me Feel Brand New, Smokey Robinson for harmony duties on his hit Tracks of My Tears and Jennifer Hudson, who outshines the star on Let It Be Me.

Most of the arrangements are slow and romantic, which is fine, but it all becomes too predictable after a while. Stewart doesn't offer anything new or take any chances and simply makes you want to seek out the originals. 'Ö'Ö1/2

-- RW

Magneta Lane

Gambling With God (Last Gang)

DON'T let Toronto's Magneta Lane soft 'n' pretty image fool you. Rather than taking the Avril Lavigne fashionista route this tough trio actually can throw down quite a convincing din and their third album Gambling with God makes a case for giving these youngsters some deserved admiration.

They are a stripped-down three-piece (guitar/bass/jungle drums) in the best sense and wisely steer clear of any studio trickery or unnecessary guests to pad their sound. September Came and album closing track Queen of Hearts really deliver, with vocalist Lexi Valentine holding her own splendidly over the reverberating bass and thumping, cymbal-less drum attack. By eschewing the usual stock and trade rock-chick clichés, this gritty, yet at times sweet-sounding combo hasn't made it easy for themselves, meaning this one is worth a listen.'Ö'Ö'Ö1/2

-- Jeff Monk

You Say Party! We Say Die!

XXXX (Paper Bag)

ON their third release, Abbotsford, B.C.'s favourite dance-punk quintet heads in a less hectic direction -- see slow-burn opener There Is XXXX (Within My Heart) for proof that Becky Ninkovic can spread her wings vocally, as she trades in her attitude-fuelled staccato wails for some sweetly ethereal crooning. On Laura Palmer's Prom, Kristen Loewen's lovely OMD-style keyboards only add to the tune's swoon worthiness.

That's not to say there aren't the de rigueur floor fillers: with its fuzzed-out bass beginnings, Cosmic Wanship Avengers would have robots tripping the laser fantastic and Glory combines garage-rock scrappiness with Ninkovic's brazen vocals for a saucy stomp in the hay.

However, though producer Howard Redekopp (New Pornographers) has expanded the sonic palette in interesting directions, there's just too much repetition which is great for getting into a groove on a dance floor, but not so great for casual listening at home. 'Ö'Ö'Ö

-- Jill Wilson

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 31, 2009 C4