New music this week

The Scissor Sisters release their second album, Ta-Dah, in the US tomorrow. It came out last week in the UK and easily topped the UK albums chart. Their single, "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" is spending its third week at #1 on the UK sales chart and its sixth week at #1 on the UK airplay chart. The album is getting rave reviews. Entertainment Weekly gave it an A- saying it's about as much fun as you can have on an album while still delivering an unexpected emotional punch.

UK pop singer Jamelia's third album, Walk with Me, came out today in Britain. It features the fantastic first single "Something About You." I think the album is really good, particularly the second half. In a world of tuneless beat-driven R&B, it's nice to hear something that actually focuses on the music.

Also out tomorrow is Janet Jackson's ninth studio album, 20 Y.O., the title being a nod to her third album, Control, which came out 20 years ago and really launched her career as a music superstar. Sadly, 20 Y.O. will do nothing to return her to such status. I listened to the song clips, and the only thing that interested me was a track called "Enjoy." Just like every other Janet Jackson album there's a rainstorm blowing through--this time it's during the track 13 interlude.

There's also a handful of great singles out in the UK. My favorite is "Changes," by Chris Lake Featuring Laura V, a really great House dance that sounds like it comes right from the late '90s. It's been on the BBC Radio 1 A-list for the last few weeks. Lily Allen's second single, "LDN" is the best track from her album Alright, Still. The Pussycat Dolls release the 5th (!) single from their album PCD, "I Don't Need a Man," which will likely go top 10 just like the other four. It's a good song--more immediately likable than "Buttons," which took awhile to grow on me.Evanescence returns with "Call Me When You're Sober," which is more of the same kind of sound they delivered last time. Roger Sanchez returns with "Lost," a decent, but not that interesting dance track. Paolo Nutini releases his second single, "Jenny Don't Be Hasty," which doesn't live up to his last track, "Last Request." Leann Rimes and Brian McFadden team up on "Everybody's Someone," a thoroughly boring ballad that sounds like they forgot half their lyrics to. It doesn't soar where it should, but just dribbles out. Boring. Where's Guy Chambers when you need him? Chris Lake (5/5), Lily Allen (5/5), The Pussycat Dolls (4/5), Evanescence (4/5), Roger Sanchez (3/5), Paolo Nutini (3/5), Leann Rimes and Brian McFadden (2/5).