Over-rated. Yeop.

In todays music scene, its hard to see why so many reviewers and critics get swept along in the hype surrounding a new release. Surely the market isn't so lacking that when lack-luster albums come out the industry types fall all over themselves to praise a less than spectacular piece. Surely? Theres a huge stack of great music that gets over looked, for sure, but thats bound to happen. We're effectively spoilt for choice in most branches of the musical tree. That doesn't excuse anything less than stellar having praise heaped upon it by every music reviewer around. I'm going to look at a few recent over-shoots, and maybe even suggest an alternative...

Exhibit A: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Rising Sand.

This so-so release surprised me by rocketing up the charts and into end of year lists. Any fan of Alison Krauss should feel let down by her contributions, considering the strength of her work with Union Station and the way her albums seemed to have jumped from strength to strength. Any fan of Robert Plant should be asking then what the fuck he thinks he's doing. Ok, I'm not going to begrudge him some indulgence, he's earned the right to dabble in anything, but that doesn't excuse the enormous ass-kiss this CD received upon release. It lacks the spirit of bluegrass, and the catchiness of pop. Lost in a void. NOT genre breaking. OK, so it stands up to repeat listens, and it is an OK album, no doubt. Nothing More. Suggested Alternatives. $olal - The Moonshine Sessions. Gillian Welch - Time (The Revelator)

Exhibit B: Gnarles Barkley - St Elsewhere

I was so disappointed when I heard this that I wanted to cry... and punch. No doubt, Crazy (despite being played to death on radio) is a brilliant track, showcasing Dangermouse's mastery of production and Cee-Lo's vocal talents and lyricism. But what happened to the rest of the album? Over-indulgence in the production and hit and miss vocals lost me after the first listen. This should have been a musical masterpiece. I still hold high hopes that they get together to do it again, and get it right. Suggested Alternative's. Dangerdoom - The Mouse and the Mask, Freddie Cruger - Soul Search

Exhibit C: Jack Johnson

Ok, so maybe he's not exactly a critic favourite, but his enduring and mystifying popularity has lead to sub-par album after sub-par album. Jack Johnson's appeal lies in his accessibility. Hes safe and he's easy. After Ben Harpers success the industry would have been trying to catch this new wave of soft alternative fans. But Jack "Every Song Sounds The Same" Johnson is a one trick pony, and should never have been given a multi album contract. He's makes the kind of by-the-numbers fire-on-the-beach sing alongs that any stoner with a guitar can bash out in minutes. He's the kind of musician that you'd only ever pay to listen to because hes the friend of some chick that you were trying to score and she'd promised to support him. And he has the audacity to call himself a singer/singwriter. Pah. Suggested Alternatives - Matt Costa - Songs We Sing, Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans, Elliot Smith.

Exhibit D: Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome, The Seeger Sessions

It pains me to knock an album by The Boss. In my opinion the man is a long standing genius, up there with Neil Young as a defining American Songwriter. Tragically, We Shall Overcome - Springsteens renditions of traditional folk songs written by Pete Seeger - lacks the execution to give these songs any real sensitivity. I'm disappointed that instead of the soft and emotionally complex Springsteen from Devils and Dust giving weight to these tracks, we have the more rocking Boss, blasting his way through in an almost rambunctious manner. Oh, hes clearly having fun, and the album isn't lacking any energy, but the material gets lost in the delivery. Not a bad album, but certainly nothing amazing. Suggested Alternatives - Rouges Gallery (Various), Southern Journey, O' Brother Where Art Thou (OST)

Right, thats me for today. I'd love to here from you if you've got any suggestions of your own.