Last week, Scarlett Johansson released the music video for her first single, "Falling Down." It's off her upcoming debut album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, due out May 20. The song is ... how should I say this? I respect her … it's an interesting … she's trying something … fine, it's boring. There, I said it. Boring. Dull. Blah.

But look, don't take my word for it. See for yourself. Though, please be warned: I strongly advise against operating heavy equipment while listening, because contents may cause drowsiness.

Hello, coma. Also, what the hell, Salman Rushdie?

Now, I must commend Scarlett for taking her music debut in an entirely unexpected direction. This isn't your typical actress-turned-singer offering of slick, radio-ready pop pap. This is an entire album of Tom Waits cover songs. Clearly, this ain't no ScarJo on the Block. … continue reading

I have to admit that I've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Madonna's latest album, Hard Candy, but after downloading it on Tuesday, boy was I disappointed. The reviews have been almost across-the-board positive — or at least thoughtful, referencing Madonna's influence and stature in the pop culture world — but I found myself fast-forwarding through repetitive choruses ("get stupid get stupid get stupid" — argh! — on "Give It 2 Me") and, frankly, not quite getting the album.

Perhaps, as the Houston Chronicle noted: "As a sit-down listen (in the car, through headphones or via a computer), Hard Candy doesn't have the same immediate spark or insightful lyrics as 2005's gorgeous Confessions on a Dance Floor. ... Under the disco ball, however, Hard Candy proves a sparkling after-hours soundtrack."

Maybe my problem is that I've been listening to it while at the office rather than out at a club. If that's the case, it's gonna be a long time before I "get" this album, since my club-going days have dwindled down to, oh, a couple of times a year. I suspect that most of Madonna's die-hard fans also long ago stopped loving the night life (Madonna, after all, is turning 50 this year), and I'm not sure if those longtime fans will get this album, either.

I do like a few songs on the album, including "Dance 2night," which is way more of a disco track than a hip-hop one, and "Miles Away," a melancholy song that sounds like it belongs on Confessions on a Dance Floor. … continue reading

After all the hype and (negative) buzz around Kelly Clarkson's newest album, My December, which is officially available today, you might be forgiven for being sick of all the gossip and/or prejudging it as a pissy attempt to throw off the reins of her big bad corporate boss, Clive Davis.

Or, if you're like me, after having read all the self-possessed, strong-minded things Kelly has said lately, you couldn't wait to get your hands on the actual album and make your own judgments about Miss Independent's third album. Now that I've carefully listened to it (you can too at AOL or MuchMusic), I have to say that I agree with Blender and Entertainment Weekly, who gave the CD quite positive reviews. My December is certainly not the pop album that Breakaway was, but anybody who expected her to repeat "Since U Been Gone" has been smoking too much fantasy crack. … continue reading

How do you follow a chart-topping smash like that one? With an album like My December in which you declare, "I wanna do it my way, and you're gonna listen to me, dammit."