SARAH BRIGHTMAN "Symphony" Manhattan
2 1/2 stars
Brightman's first studio album in five years is the aural equivalent of a military surge. The arrangements are so large, so overstuffed with people doing things in every conceivable spot, there can't possibly be a working union musician left in Britain or America should Josh Groban decide he needs to make a new album any time soon. On "Canto Della Terra," the stratospheric duet with popera pal Andrea Bocelli, both voices — already prone to grandeur — intertwine and soar as only those two can, as an army of strings prods them ever higher. A choir of, oh, 500 voices competes, and then, like a cherry atop a 1,000-calorie sundae, a horn wraps a bow over everything. The amazing thing is it doesn't turn into a cacophonous mess — especially if you're a fan of this stuff. Jim Steinman really missed the mark handing the "Bat Out of Hell" sequels to long-in-the-tooth Meat Loaf; Brightman has the look (check out that Goth album cover photo) and the wherewithal to face the musical onslaught and ride it without going soft. >Howard Cohen, McClatchy News Service
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE "Scream Aim Fire" Jive
3 stars
The sophomore release from this Welsh pop-metal quartet is a radio-friendly crossover that mixes aggression and melody. Standout track "Disappear" is thrash-influenced with American-style speed-metal riffs, while "Say Goodnight" is a ballad that sounds lifted from Metallica's vault. It's not your dad's metal, but it should be enough for anyone looking for a harder edge than most radio fare. "Hearts Burst Into Fire" should be hitting the airwaves any day. >Len Cutler
THE STEELDRIVERS "The SteelDrivers" Rounder
3 1/2 stars
Nashville session players and songwriters got together to create this refreshingly rough-hewn, dark-themed bluegrass band. Guitarist Chris Stapleton's voice is anything but mountain sweet; he sounds like he should be leading the latest reincarnation of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Yet he harmonizes beautifully with jazz-infused fiddler Tammy Rogers as cut after cut of wayward laments chug through decidedly non-traditional rhythms and arrangements. This is acoustic country music at its most inventive — and, often, its loudest. >Bob Strauss
JOE JACKSON "Rain" Ryko
3 stars
Jackson has never been afraid to experiment. On his latest album, he opts for a bare-bones approach with just piano, bass, and drums. The vibe is distinctly his own, but not like his post-punk "Look Sharp." There's not a guitar to be heard on this one; instead the songs have a jazzy pop feel reminiscent of "Night and Day," although not as radio-friendly. Standout "Wasted Time" tells the story of a failed relationship, while "King Pleasure Time" has the feel of another older song. The result is mostly impressive. >John Carucci, Associated Press
NADA SURF "Lucky" Barsuk
3 1/2 stars
The polished fifth salvo from this veteran New York trio serves as a tonic to much of indie-rock's current scruffiness. These are tightly constructed, conventional pop songs in lush, occasionally symphonic settings. The track "Weightless," for example, ends with rich Beach Boys-like harmonies, the perfect coda to lovely vocals by Matthew Caws. Equally good are "See These Bones" and "Beautiful Beat," which take flight on buoyant, memorable melodies. "Lucky" has maturity and beauty to burn. >Sam Gnerre, LA.COM
also out tuesday>
Nick Lowe: "Jesus of Cool"
The Basher's unjustly neglected first solo record from 1978 is given the deluxe treatment with 10 bonus tracks.
Kidz Bop Kids: "Kidz Bop 13"
Latest installment of the popular series featuring pop hits sung by kids for kids.
The Raveonettes: "Lust Lust Lust"
The garage-rock duo gets back to basics.
Allison Moorer: "Mockingbird"
Moorer reflects the phases of women's hearts, lives, needs and yearnings.
Mike Doughty: "Golden Delicious"
The ex-Soul Coughing singer releases his second solo album.
