Living Under June
Artist: Jann Arden
Community Score: 2.50

This western Canadian singer/songwriter is brutally introspective, yet outgoing. After all, she's hosted the Juno Awards (Canada's version of the Grammys). She writes and sings beguilingly on this strong debut about temptation, salvation, jealousy, and loneliness. Former John Mellencamp drummer Kenny Aronoff helps to ground the album's seamless... Read More

Where's Summer B?
Artist: Ben Folds Five

Although it doesn't specify in the packaging, "Where's Summer B?" is actually a version edited from the one found on Ben Folds Five; a few mild obscenities have been removed. The other two tracks were previously unreleased and were recorded live in 1995 at Ziggy's in North Carolina. There are other versions of both "Tom and Mary" and "Emaline"... Read More

Tidal
Artist: Fiona Apple
Community Score: 8.07

Fiona Apple demonstrates considerable talent on her debut album, Tidal, but it is unformed, unfocused talent. Her voice is surprisingly rich and supple for a teenager, and her jazzy, sophisticated piano playing also belies her age. Given the right material, such talents could have flourished, but she has concentrated on her own compositions,... Read More

Recovering the Satellites
Artist: Counting Crows
Community Score: 7.51

For their second album, Recovering the Satellites, Counting Crows crafted a self-consciously challenging response to their unexpected success. Throughout the record, Adam Duritz contemplates his loss of privacy and sudden change of fortunes, among other angst-ridden subjects. In one sense, it's no different from the subjects that dominated... Read More

Remember
Artist: Rusted Root
Community Score: 8.25

Produced by Jerry Harrison, Rusted Root's second album, Remember, illustrates that the jam band's instrumental skills are continuing to improve, while their songwriting remains stagnant. Half of the record is made up of songs that have strong hooks, while the rest simply function as a showcase for the group's worldbeat explorations and... Read More

Sheryl Crow
Artist: Sheryl Crow
Community Score: 7.61

Hiring noted roots experimentalists Tchad Blake and Mitchell Froom as engineer and consultant, respectively, Sheryl Crow took a cue from their Latin Playboys project for her second album -- she kept her roots rock foundation and added all sorts of noises, weird instruments, percussion loops, and off-balance production to give Sheryl Crow a... Read More

Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House
Artist: Crowded House
Community Score: 7.75

Recurring Dream is a 19-track collection which assembles most of the band's singles and adds three new studio tracks to entice fans -- "Not the Girl You Think You Are," "Instinct," and "Everything Is Good for You." As a career summary, the collection works fairly well, though the nonchronological sequencing makes for a slightly confusing listen.... Read More

Bringing Down the Horse
Artist: The Wallflowers
Community Score: 7.45

No sophomore jinx here. Of course, there are only two Wallflowers left from their first release, so this could be called a whole new band. No matter, because the music here is assured and contemporary with just enough of the past showing through to catch one's eye. Jakob Dylan has been polishing his compositional chops and it really shows on... Read More

Ron Sexsmith
Artist: Ron Sexsmith
Community Score: 8.50

Ron Sexsmith is so anti-cool that this may actually be one the coolest albums you hear. The Toronto singer/songwriter's appearance matches his music perfectly -- hair falling in tousled bangs over doe eyes and baby face; one of those guys who always got beat up in high school and couldn't string two words together in front of a real live girl... Read More

Pieces of You
Artist: Jewel
Community Score: 7.80

Jewel's debut album is a charming collection of light alternative folk-rock from the teenage singer/songwriter. Her songs are occasionally naive, but her melodies can usually save her lyrics. ~ Sara Sytsma, All Music Guide Read More

Underground - UK #2
Artist: Ben Folds Five

Fans who love "Underground" will be doubly pleased with this disc, which highlights two songs from the Ben Folds Five LP. The first track is the LP version of "Underground," while track three is a great live version recorded in 1995 at Ziggy's in North Carolina. The live cut really shows off how important having fun is to the band. They are... Read More