ALBUM: SACRED

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Texican trio Los Lonely Boys are a kick-ass band that can set a simple melody on fire. On this energetic sophomore set, the Garza brothers churn out one catchy beach anthem after another, but instead of polishing their hooks, they stick to an organic live sound that showcases their outstanding musicianship. From the sun-drenched leadoff "Diamonds" -- a rough-edged reprise of their breakthrough single "Heaven" -- and the grinding, bilingual "Oye Mamacita" to the soulful ballad "I Never Met a Woman," the trio manages to turn standard feel-good tunes into electrifying jams. Tightly packed with flawless harmonies, "Sacred" is driven by guitar hero Henry Garza's fiery fretwork, which channels Hendrix and Santana into rootsy rhythms and soaring solos. As a country-rock footnote, "Outlaws" reunites the brothers with their father, Ringo Garza Sr., who trades vocals with Willie Nelson.

ARTIST: RHYMEFEST

ALBUM: BLUE COLLAR (Allido/J Records)

Rhymefest is best-known for co-writing Kanye West's Grammy Award-winning single "Jesus Walks." But with his major-label debut, "Blue Collar," the Chicago rapper proves he is no second fiddle. Acting as the voice of the average Joe, he ruminates on everyday situations such as bills, fear of failure and family trials. 'Fest bewails life's adversities ("These Days," "Devil's Pie") alongside dazzling, soulful arrangements and jovial beats that evoke sitcom theme songs. With as much aplomb, he shrugs off the hardships ("More," "Tell a Story") while flashing his sunny humor ("I feel like Puff Daddy lied 'cause I ain't vote and I ain't die") and storytelling skills ("Bullet"). The West-featured lead single "Brand New" seems formulized for radio, but there are many more gems here than mishaps. "Blue Collar" is exactly what hip-hop needs more of.

ARTIST: CHRIS KNIGHT

ALBUM: ENOUGH ROPE (Drifter's Church Records)

While more mainstream country acts bluster about rednecks and hillbillies like it's a fashion statement, Kentucky's Chris Knight sings about rural fatalism and alienation with razor-sharp perception and narrative aplomb. By his own admission, the "body count's not as high" on his Drifter's Church debut, but the impact is just as powerful as Knight ups both the rock and violence quotient on "Jack Blue" and "Up From the Hill," then boogies convincingly on "River Road." "Rural Route" teems with stoic resignation, and the powerful "Dirt" hits home with its bitter take on urban sprawl. Elsewhere, "Old Man" and "William's Son" recall early Steve Earle in their well-drawn character studies. The touring life is examined on "To Get Back Home," and the title cut is sad, beautiful and strong, a moving coda to perhaps Knight's best work yet.

ARTIST: ALBERT CUMMINGS

ALBUM: WORKING MAN (Blind Pig Records)

For several years, Albert Cummings has been juggling two careers -- custom home builder and blues guitarist. The release of "Working Man" is only going to make his life more complicated, for this record is the calling card of a blues star who has arrived. Cummings' guitar work is sizzling, his vocals are sturdy, and he wrote all but one of the 13 tunes on the disc -- the one cover tune is an inspired version of Merle Haggard's "Workin' Man Blues." For a nice mix of grooves, spin "Girls to Shame," the slow burners "Let Me Be" and "Rumors," and the distinctly Southern "Feeling End." This is one of the top blues albums of 2006.

ARTIST: GOLDEN SMOG

ALBUM: ANOTHER FINE DAY (Lost Highway Records)

While "Another Fine Day" may sound more cohesive than the pseudo-supergroup's previous two full-length releases, that ultimately means little because these songs simply don't stack up to their predecessors. Be it a result of limited time, improper focus or not enough elbow grease, the material often sounds haphazardly created and just undone. To be fair, the goal seems different as memorable ditties take a back seat to artier pieces. While Wilco's Jeff Tweedy was MIA for much of the process, a couple of tracks ironically fade out in a haze of "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot"-worthy noise, their codas a virtual swarm of robotic wasps. Soul Asylum member Dan Murphy's revved-up "Hurricane" is all pop-punk foreplay, one of many songs that leave you frustrated. The melancholic "Listen Joe," by the Jayhawks' Gary Louris and Tweedy and dominated by the latter's two-minute solo, is the brightest moment on a sadly average disc.

ARTIST: DJ SCREW

ALBUM: THE UNTOLD STORY (Double Platinum Records)

The CD/DVD set "DJ Screw: The Untold Story" honors the late Houston rap legend by detailing his life and influence. Accounts by Screw's friends and family members offer history on the renowned DJ who pioneered the famous "screwed and chopped" sound of slowed-down beats and repeated phrases, which has been commercially popularized by fellow Houstonites such as Mike Jones and Slim Thug. The DVD also boasts previously unseen footage of Screw and an enlightening interview with the late Big Hawk, while the companion compilation CD features head-bopping tracks by Bun B, Lil Flip and Z-Ro, among others, as well as Screw's local S.U.C. (Screwed Up Click). But more examples of "screwed and chopped" would have been useful in paying tribute to DJ Screw's immense influence.

ARTIST: BURY YOUR DEAD

ALBUM: BEAUTY AND THE BREAKDOWN (Victory Records)

We've got a feeling that when the Family Values tour winds through the States this summer, Bury Your Dead will be a top contender for inducing the bloodiest mosh pits along the way. The only pretty thing about the hardcore onslaught the band designed for "Beauty and the Breakdown" is the song titles, which are taken from elements of fairy tales that center on women ("A Glass Slipper," "Mirror, Mirror ..."). It's got the requisite fury and guttural hollering, but once you hear album opener "House of Straw," you've heard it all. Beyond some frantic technical guitar that floats in the background of "The Poison Apple" and brief, dreary intros to "The Enchanted Rose" and "House of Brick," the Massachusetts quintet beats a dead horse for the rest of the record. Being aggressive doesn't mean you can skip variety.

Reuters/Billboard

Copyright © 2006 Reuters. All rights reserved.