POP/ROCK
Sheryl Crow, "Detours" (Interscope/A&M)
Some difficult days went into the making of this album. Crow, best known for her vibrant, upbeat music and equally vivacious personality, endured a well-publicized breakup with longtime beau, cycling superstar Lance Armstrong, as well as her own battle with breast cancer. She also experienced some very good times, notably the adoption of her baby Wyatt, whose presence is felt on the gentle closing ballad "Lullaby for Wyatt." In fact, "Detours" sure sounds like one extremely autobiographical work, augmented with Crow's continued concern over political issues, particularly the war in Iraq (the musically sparse, stinging opener "God Bless This Mess").
Despite the somber nature of a lot of the lyrics, Crow still has a knack for patching together embraceable melodies and enchanting rhythms. Some of the pop songs are totally irresistible, including the clap-along grooves of "Love Is Free" (based on New Orleans' post-Katrina fight for survival), the big sing-along chorus of "Out of Our Heads" and the electro-string blend of "Now That You're Gone."
Still, Crow's life is all here on display: The dirge-like "Diamond Ring" features some of her gutsiest vocals and "Make It Go Away (Radiation Song)" deals with breast cancer. Thankfully, Crow made it through the darkness. This is the most lyrically compelling album of her career and one of the best things she's done musically in years.
KEVIN O'HARE, NEWHOUSE NEWS SERVICE
Jack Johnson, "Sleep Through the Static" (Brushfire)
The eco-activist with the pristine picking style has gained a huge following by doing what a great yoga instructor does -- getting fans to take a breath and ponder life's big questions, expanding their minds without strain. He continues this method on his fifth studio effort, adding a few gentle pop twists.
Johnson has such a well-established sound that he risks sounding derivative when he tries something more polished or upbeat. But you'd expect a smart guy like this to cop from good sources, and he does --"Enemy" recalls vintage Harry Nilsson, "If I Had Eyes" aims for that 1970s sweet spot where Southern rock met bubble-gum pop and "Monsoon" is so John Mayer it hurts.
Johnson and his amiably expert band make these alliances without fuss, always coming back to that loping groove that gets heads bopping around the campfire. As for the lyrics, they have a certain platitudinous charm. The title song grapples with the war in Iraq; others address parenthood, married life and the cancer-related death of Johnson's 19-year-old cousin.
Images of keys and frames and shadows abound, and the emotional pitch never escalates beyond gentle musing. Johnson's just too risk-averse to make music for the ages, but he's perfectly adept at leading relaxation exercises right now.
ANN POWERS, LOS ANGELES TIMES
