music

Tori Amos – Abnormally Attracted To Sin
Label: Universal Republic
Grade: B
For many Toriphiles out there (of which I am proudly one), there has come something of an expectation that seems to haunt every new album Tori Amos puts out and this has never been more so than with her tenth studio album to date Abnormally Attracted To Sin. Where 2007's American Doll Posse pushed boundaries of contemporary music by splitting the vocal personalities of the album into five distinct characters, all performing their own sections and backing up other sections for other characters, it seems that Tori is once more playing it straight—so to speak—with only one voice speaking for each of the 17 girls (what she calls her songs) on this album. Still skewing strongly toward concept album territory, this album is literally dripping with usual Tori fare as she expounds large upon her old slants on religious truths and the roles of women and sin in postmodern society.

Voting begins today for the 2009 CMT Music Awards, country music’s only fan-voted award show, with the announcement of this year’s first round finalists.

Country duo Sugarland, lead the pack in first round nominations with six followed by Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift who have each garnered four. Beginning today, Monday, April 13 at 11:00 a.m. EST, fans can vote on CMT.com for their favorite artists to determine the final nominees for CMT’s eighth annual awards show. Country music’s biggest stars will rock Nashville when the 2009 CMT Music Awards premieres live on Wednesday, June 17 on CMT and CMT.com.

Keith Urban - Defying Gravity

Label: Capitol
Grade: C

With his fifth solo release Defying Gravity Keith Urban seems to be playing it safe.

Martina McBride - Shine

Label: RCA
Grade: B+

One of the great mainstays of modern Country music, Martina McBride has proven over and over again since her debut in 1992 that she has what it takes to be a Country superstar.