Music madness

The two CDs today are highly-recommended within their genres. Matt Nathanson is a singer-songwriter who really knows how to strut his stuff, and this is one polished, upbeat bunch of tunes. As for Bad Meets Evil, this is Eminem and Royce da 5’ 9”, and a mad/angry, angst-driven CD would be hard to find; so for those who want their Slim Shady in volatile mode, this one’s for you.

Matt Nathanson — Modern Love (Vanguard Records). If ever you wondered what was the future of the singer-songwriter, Matt Nathanson, would have us believe that it has to do with being sensitive and capable of churning out the killer ballads, while also being adept at rocking with the best of them. This is one album that one can just put on and enjoy most each and every track. Faster, Modern Love and Love Comes Tumbling Down start the party, and it never goes downhill, even when the slower songs like Room @ the End of the World come on. You may remember Matt via Come On Get Higher and Car Crash, but this is a much livelier set of songs — a truly rewarding surprise. Order this on Amazon, as no local distributor.

Bad Meets Evil — Hell, the Sequel (MCA Music Inc.). The partnership of Eminem and Royce da 5’ 9” has always been about wordplay, chemistry and “one-upmanship” of the best kind. With the future of rap and hip-hop supposedly on the line, Slim Shady has turned to collaborations not just with Royce but with other artists as well (like comedian Mike Epps) to turn the album into quite the showcase. Lighters with Bruno Mars handling the singing chores is one prime example of where Eminem can take his music. This is the oddity though, as the rest of the album is hard and vicious, with BME targetting the likes of Katy Perry and Lady Gaga (on A Kiss) and Nicky Minaj (on Fastlane). Rough and ready are BME!