Soundcheck

CD Picks of the Week

Four stand-out new albums, as chosen by the Soundcheck staff.

Van Morrison, "Keep It Simple" (Lost Highway)

"Keep it Simple" follows a familiar pattern for Van Morrison: Record a handful of soul, gospel and blues numbers that recall some of his finest moments, then toss in some filler. While this album hardly matches the singer’s best “Moondance”-era work, his rich, emotive voice remains a compelling draw. Morrison particularly shines in the I've-been-screwed-over mode of lyric writing, as in the title cut and the song, "School of Hard Knocks." –-picked by Brian Wise

"Keep It Simple" is available from Amazon.com.

Orchestra Baobab, "Made in Dakar" (World Circuit/Nonesuch)

Senegalese Orchestra Baobab is one of the pioneers of Afro-pop. They formed in the '70s in Dakar to play a weekly gig at the local Baobab Club. Critics quickly named them the greatest group in Africa. Their new album collects songs from the band’s 20 records, some of which were only available on tapes. It's a fun and danceable mix of Portuguese creole and afro-Cuban rhythms that influenced many artists to come, like Senegalese star Youssou N'Dour, who appears on the track "Nijaav." --picked by Gisele Regatao

"Made in Dakar" is available from Amazon.com.

William Brittelle, "Mohair Time Warp" Mohair Time Warp doesn’t really "mean" anything, though singer and composer William Brittelle likes the suggestion of being unhinged in time. Well, this song cycle is unhinged from genre, from conventional narrative, and even from conventional singing. Brittelle terms it a lip-sync opera, a forced result of a catastrophic vocal injury while leading his punk rock band The Blondes several years ago. The music doesn’t just combine elements of rock and classical -- it flits from one to the other with often neck-snapping speed. --picked by John Schaefer

"Mohair Time Warp" is available for download from Amazon.com.

Atlas Sound, "Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel" (Kranky)

The Atlanta-based ambient rock band Deerhunter had a breakout year in 2007. Frontman Bradford Cox's solo project Atlas Sound might remind you of Deerhunter, My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth and other melodic noisemakers. But on "Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel," Cox ratchets down the noise and opts for some highly personal lyrics. "Quartantined" might be about Cox’s teenage treatment and hospitalization for the genetic condition Marfan’s Syndrome. A solo outing that's great for experienced deerhunters and newcomers alike. --picked by Joel Meyer.

"Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See" is available from Amazon.com.

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