ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA COMEDY MUSIC TV CELEBRITY KIDS MOVIEFONE Michael Giltz Freelance writer and raconteur Posted: February 25, 2011 03:57 PM BIO Become a Fan Get Email Alerts Bloggers' Index 3 20 0 3Inspiring Funny Hot Scary Outrageous Amazing Weird CrazyCDs of the Week: Adele and The Low Anthem Read More: Aaron Copland , Adele , Alison Moyet , Amy Winehouse , Classical , Country , Folk , Music , Pop , Soul , The Low Anthem , Uncle Tupelo , Entertainment News If you have adventurous ears and like music from all sorts of genres, keep checking in.</p><p> This week, I've got twoalbums you should hear -- Adele's excellent secondalbum and more distinctive Americana from The LowAnthem.</p><p> Enjoy.</p><p> ADELE -- 21 MOST POPULAR ON HUFFPOST 1 of 2 WATCH: Two New Yorkers Take A Taxi To Los Angeles 9/11 Responders Warned They Will Be Screened For Terrorism Ties (EXCLUSIVE) Poll Shows One Potential Presidential Hopeful InFOLLOW USBIG NEWS: Celebrities | Britney Spears | LeAnn Rimes | Lindsay Lohan | Smarter Ideas | More...</p><p> PHOTOS: The Funniest People Not On TwitterMiranda Kerr & Orlando Bloom Step Out To 'The The Funniest Someecards For Easter 2011Weekly Roundup of eBay Vintage Clothing Finds News Web Like 276K April 24, 2011 | Log In | Sign Up Get Alerts SHARE THIS STORY Submit this story Get Entertainment Alerts Sign UpPHOTO GALLERIES Like 2K Like 20K FRONT PAGEPOLITICS BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA TECH COMEDY SPORTS STYLE WORLD FOOD LIVING IMPACT EDU LOCALIt's a big leap from the age of 19 to 21 and in the case of UK artist Adele, it's a very satisfying leap from her debut 19 to her second release 21 .</p><p> Right now she has the #1 album and the #1 single "Someone Like You" in the UK, a rare and well-earned feat. (As a chart geek, I'll also point out she's the first living act to have two Top 5 singles and two Top 5 albums (with her debut back on the list) since the Beatles in 1964.) It's a good rule of thumb that your strongest song should be the first cut on the album.</p><p> Rather boldly, "Someone Like You" is the fitting finale to an excellent soulful pop album that shows Adele growing by leaps and bounds as a songwriter.</p><p> Her first album edged onto my best of the year list, but it was as much for that powerful voice and the promise of the future as the fine album itself. (Great songs ended with"Chasing Pavements" but her singing carried the rest.) Watch her poise on Letterman as she belts out"Rolling in the Deep." Even the background singers are digging it: Adele's like a sane Amy Winehouse, an Alison Moyet with better solo numbers.</p><p> It's classic pop, including surging choruses, clap-along melodies, and lyrics that are sharp but universal.</p><p> And as strong as thealbum is, you just know watching that clip she's even better live.</p><p> That's always been the acid test for mostartists -- being able to deliver live.</p><p> When Adele comes to NYC on May 21, she'll prove it. (Cruelly, I'll be atthe Cannes Film Festival and will miss her.</p><p> Again.) You can stream the entire album on MySpace.</p><p> So no excuses for not checking out one of the pure pop pleasures of the year.</p><p> It's a good reminder that with the right voice and the right arrangement, lyrics that seem rather basic on the page can come alive on record.</p><p> This isn't poetry; it's pop.</p><p> That's why you sing it.</p><p> THE LOW ANTHEM -- SMART FLESH The Low Anthem have a rare quality for a rock band: patience.</p><p> They take their time on this spectral, haunted new album.</p><p> I don't just call it haunted because the first track is "Ghost Woman Blues." Striking Distance Of Obama Popeater: Brad and Angelina's Strict Nanny Requirements Shelterpop: Unplugging Appliances: Do I REALLY Have to Do This? What To Do About Smelly Feet Noam Chomsky Is the World Too Big to Fail? The Contours of Global Order AOL Real Estate: Prince William and Kate to Live in Royal Mansion TV Squad: Maria Menounos Relives Her Paparazzi 'Wardrobe Malfunction' on 'Lopez' (VIDEO) DON'T MISS HUFFPOST BLOGGERS 1 of 5 Sam Waterston Saving Easter Island’s Marine Ecosystems David O.</p><p> Russell FDR Said it All in 1936 -- Who Will Follow in His Steps Today? More Celebrity News at People.com Like 1K Like 1K Like 1K Like 664 Like 3K Like 56 Like 52 Lindsay Lohan Is 'Angry' About Jail Sentence READ MORE Antoine Dodson Arrested READ MORE Stefano Langone RevealsHis Relationship Status READ MORE Royal Wedding Guest List The entire vibe is spooky, with the vocals rising up out of a mine shaft or echoing throughout an empty house and shadowed by emotions to painful to express.</p><p> So they're haunted and patient.</p><p> They establishtheir authority early on by taking "Ghost Woman Blues" at a stately pace and featuring a clarinet solo (Ithink).</p><p> Right in the middle of the album comes another bold move -- "Wire" is a lovely instrumental thatwouldn't sound out of place on a contemporary classical album.</p><p> Put a banjo on your CD and I'll toss out the term Americana, but it's as good a place as any to start when describing The Low Anthem's all-encompassing sound that ventures from Aaron Copland to Uncle Tupelo to The Band on their quieter days.</p><p> Formed in Rhode Island, they have a love for country and folk, with "Apothecary Love" boasting a couplet that any Nashville songwriter would be proud of: "First she shot me with whiskey/Then chasedme with gin." They can also raise a ruckus, as shown on "Boeing 737" and "Hey All You Hippies." Butthey finish with the longest and one of the quietest tracks, the title tune "Smart Flesh." It takes its owsweet time because they have the confidence to know you'll keep listening.</p><p> A solid follow-up to the acclaimed Oh My God, Charlie Darwin.</p><p> You can stream the entire album Smart Flesh on The Low Anthem's MySpace page.</p><p> CDS OF THE WEEK: CD #1 Ladysmith Black Mambazo -- Songs From A Zulu Farm CD#2 David Wax Museum -- Everything Is Saved CD#3 Adele -- 21 CD #4 The Low Anthem -- Smart Flesh SOME BEST CDS OF THE YEAR/DECADE LISTS: THE BEST CDS OF 2010 THE BEST CDS OF THE 2000s THE BEST CDS OF 2009THE BEST CDS OF 2007 Thanks for reading.</p><p> Michael Giltz is the cohost of Showbiz Sandbox , a weekly pop culture podcast that reveals the industry take on entertainment news of the day and features top journalists and opinion makers as guests.</p><p> It's available free on iTunes.</p><p> Visit Michael Giltz at his website and his daily blog.</p><p> Download his podcast of celebrity interviews and his radio show, also called Popsurfing and alsoavailable for free on iTunes.</p><p> Link to him on Netflix and gain access to thousands of ratings and reviews .</p><p> TOP VIDEO PICKS 1 of 10 Lindsay Lohan Back in the Slammer Beckhams In, Obamas Outat Royal Wedding Olsen's Wacky Fur Outfit MOST DISCUSSED RIGHT NOW 1 of 2 HOT ON FACEBOOK 1 of 3 HOT ON TWITTER 1 of 2 More Celebrity News at Popeater.comRevealed: Who's Going? 'Bed Intruder' Star Antoine Dodson Arrested Paul Reiser's New Show Yanked After Two Weeks Mel Gibson Opens Up: 'I Could Easily Not Act Again Viral Star Antoine Dodson ARRESTED Gwyneth Paltrow Is Right.</p><p> We're All Jealous. (Of Her and George W.</p><p> Bush.) Like 4K Tyler Perry To Spike Lee: 'Go Straight To Hell' Like 11K mayhemstudios RT @sbeasla : What happens when you tickle a little penguin? http://j.mp/dEZjCM via @huffingtonpost twsuccess Antoine Dodson Arrested For Marijuana Possession http://huff.to/edLaIo 'The Hangover 2' Trailers: New TV Spots...</p><p> Dan Savage Gets on the MTV, Savages...</p><p> Lindsay Lohan Quickly Released From Jail After... 'The Office' Season Finale: Jim Carrey Joining...</p><p> Comments 3 Pending Comments 0View FAQ 0 FansNOTE: Michael Giltz is provided with free copies of CDs or digital downloads by numerous labels to consider for review and feature coverage.</p><p> He typically does not guarantee any coverage in exchange for these CDs and indeed receives far more albums than he ever comes close to covering in his various outlets.</p><p> Follow Michael Giltz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/michaelgiltz More in Entertainment...</p><p> Buy a link here Sponsored Links Mom Is 55, Looks 30...</p><p> Her clever $5 wrinkle therapy angers Botox Doctors.</p><p> Find Out How! FDXNews8.com SHOCKING: Apple iPad for $24.87 TODAY ONLY: Auction site to give away 1,000 iPads for $24.87! NewsToday9.com Trade Free for 60 Days.</p><p> Plus get up to $500.</p><p> Apply at E*TRADE Securities. www.etrade.com/tradefree DO NOT buy Auto Insurance! A secret to saving you money now. $9 Auto Insurance is here! www.Consumer-Insurance.org HUFFPOST'S BIG NEWS PAGES NBA Afghanistan Fast Food Gas & Oil NASA Hockey Brian Williams Gabrielle Giffords Mexico MORE BIG NEWS PAGES » Recency | Popularity terrygrammy 11:48 AM on 2/26/2011Login or connect with: More Login Options Post to Facebook.</p><p> Post to Blogger.</p><p> Post to Twitter.</p><p> Post to WordPress.</p><p> Post to TypePad.</p><p> Post to Tumblr.To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.</p><p> Share your Comment: Post Comment Preview Comment View All 78 Fans 2 FansThank you for sharing these wonderful musicians with us.It is so nice to hear clear natural voices,and not the usual screaming we have to call music.David Letterman needs a shout out for having such wonderful talent on his show.I first saw The Low Anthem on his show and was hooked,Oh My God Charlie Darwin. sent Chills down my spine.That doesn't happen very often to an older person.</p><p> Yes, whoever books the musical acts on Letterman is aces.</p><p> Adele is a goddess. 21 is a fantastic follow-up to 19.</p><p> It's interestin g because my favorite song from 19 was the last song, "Hometown Glory".</p><p> My favorite song from 21 is also the last, "Someone LikeYou".</p><p> They're both brilliant.</p><p> Buy a link here Sponsored Links Mom Is 55, Looks 30...</p><p> Her clever $5 wrinkle therapy angers Botox Doctors.</p><p> Find Out How! FDXNews8.com ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA COMEDY MUSIC TV CELEBRITY KIDS MOVIEFONE Advertise | Log In | Make HuffPost your Home Page | RSS | Careers | FAQ | Contact Us User Agreement | Privacy | Comment Policy | About Us | Powered by Movable Type Copyright © 2011 TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. | "The Huffington Post" is a registered trademark of TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc.</p><p> All rights reserved.</p><p> Permalink | Share it HUFFPOST BLOGGER Michael Giltz 06:32 PM on 2/26/2011 Permalink | Share it jS45 06:57 AM on 2/26/2011 Permalink | Share it Get AlertsFRONT PAGEPOLITICS BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA TECH COMEDY SPORTS STYLE WORLD FOOD LIVING IMPACT EDU LOCAL
