Norah Jones
Album: The Fall (Blue Note)
In stores: Tuesday
When Norah gets blue: The buzz leading up to Jones’ fourth album was juicy, giddy. The lithe alt-jazz daughter of Ravi Shankar had split with bassist boyfriend Lee Alexander, thus setting up a breakup disc. Guitars and Wurlitzers, rock and rage would replace the 30-year-old’s usual midnight hush and Yankee Candle ruminations. I’ve always liked Jones’ music — when I was awake. So I was ready for the nine-time Grammy winner to rock a little. And the new stuff does — a little. Most of the 13 tracks are definitely louder (especially the retro roadhouse stomp of It’s Gonna Be) and the lyrics jab with newfound fangs (“Your chocolate eyes / Like buttons of lies / You’ve ruined me now”). But no matter the noisier arrangements or the clever diary-entry digs, Jones too often sings as if she’s in an opium haze, a stung woman on her fainting couch. Oh, it’s sexy as heck, don’t get me wrong. But you still wish Jones would snap out of her comfort zone more often and unleash the what-for. I’m not looking for a constant punk holler, but something beyond her smoky mid range would certainly get her ex’s attention — and mine.
Reminds us of: One of my favorite all-time duets is Norah Jones and Ray Charles on the May-December smolder of Here We Go Again. It’s a 3:52 story of relationship too toxic to resist.
Download these: It’s Gonna Be, Waiting and Chasing Pirates
Grade: B