Sean Daly's CD picks

By Sean Daly, Times Pop Music Critic
In print: Sunday, April 20, 2008

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Leona Lewis

Album: Spirit (Sony)

In stores: Now

Why we care: Discovered, produced and hyped by Clive Davis and Simon Cowell — talk about friends in high places — this 23-year-old is the winner of The X Factor, a U.K. version of American Idol. She's also the first British woman to top the U.S. pop charts in 20 years and is crushing the competition on iTunes.

Why we like it: Lewis is a lankier Kelly Clarkson. Or maybe she's Mariah Carey with longer skirts. Either way, the lithe, sexy singer has a neo-soul wail with firecracker range, giving edge to overpolished pop penned by Avril

Lavigne and Jesse McCartney.

Reminds us of: Or maybe she's Pink without the anger issues. Yeah, that's it.

Download these: Bleeding Love and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Grade: B-

George Strait

Album: Troubadour (MCA Nashville)

In stores: Now

Why we care: King George's 37th album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, once again proving country music's loyalty to its dusty ol' cowpokes. At this rate, there's a very good chance this will be Strait's 33rd platinum seller. How does he do it, you ask? By not changing a gosh-darn thing.

Why we like it: Michael Jordan wasn't as money-in-the-bank as Strait, whose rich baritone and clever phrasing give standard fare winning kick. Like all his albums, this one will lower your blood pressure by the first fiddle.

Reminds us of: Hit single I Saw God Today involves a new dad holding his lil' girl. Good lord, I almost crashed my car from the sobbing.

Download this: Brothers of the Highway and House of Cash (duet with Patty Loveless)

Grade: B+

Otis Redding

Album: Otis Blue: Otis Redding

Sings Soul:

Collector's Edition (ATCO/Rhino)

In stores: Tuesday

Why we care: Released in 1965, this must-have soul classic has been spiffed up by the saints at Rhino. Along with the Big O's original recording in both mono and stereo (recorded at the holy Memphis confines of Stax Records), this collector's set includes two smokin' live sets and 29 lovingly restored bonus cuts.

Why we like it: Redding, who died at 26, was called "the King of the Soul Singers," and the royal goods have never been more obvious. "Ole Man Trouble, leave me alone . . ."

Reminds us of: Otis also made me cry in the car. Jeez, I need to get a grip.

Download these: Ole Man Trouble, Down in the Valley and I've Been Loving You Too Long

Grade: A

SONG OF THE WEEK

Fall Out Boy feat. John Mayer

Song: Beat It

Album: Live in

Phoenix (Island)

In stores: Now

Why we care: If you have any doubt that history will remember Michael Jackson very, very well, the proof is right here. R&B and hip-hop acts have always looked past MJ's messier aspects, but let it be known that the rockers worship him, too. On this remake, Fall Out Boy and buddy John Mayer give the King of Pop hot, earnest props.

Why we like it: FOB lead singer Patrick Stump delivers that well-known lyric ("You're playing with your life, this ain't no truth or dare") with confrontational urgency, as the normally limp Mayer uncorks fretwork aping the energy of Eddie Van Halen's original solo. There's nothing snide or snickery about this cover version, and that's both refreshing and rather cool.

Reminds us of: My last knife fight

Grade: B