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Sean Daly's CD picks

By Sean Daly and Times Pop Music Critic

Sean Daly, Times Pop Music Critic
In print: Sunday, May 11, 2008

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The Raconteurs

Album: Consolers of the Lonely (Third Man/Warner Bros.)

In stores: Now

Why we care: Is Jack White's dude-heavy side project a better band than his day job White Stripes? The second release from this classic-rockin' quintet makes that question a whole lot trickier — and a ton of fake-wood-paneling fun.

Why we like it: Sharing star duty with Michigan buddy Brendan Benson, White is far more obvious about his heroes here, indulging the melodic mayhem of Led Zeppelin and the Beatles. Even more than on 2006 debut Broken Boy Soldiers, White wants to jam and harmonize and even pound at the organ like he's chasing Sugarloaf's Green-Eyed Lady.

Reminds us of: Driving in my pal's Dodge Dart, the one with the radio stuck on 1971.

Download these: Old Enough and Hold Up

Grade: A-

Dimitri From Paris

Album: Return to the Playboy Mansion (Defected)

In stores: Now

Why we care: Dimitri is an appropriately smarmy French DJ who is frequently employed as Hugh Hefner's personal turntablist. This is his third bunny-inspired playlist (the first, 2000's A Night at the Playboy Mansion, is considered one of the great dance comps). The 40-something mixmaster likes to blend disco funk, cocktail swing and Marvin Gaye. Can you dig it?

Why we like it: The two-CD set is split into "Partytime" (which is so-so) and "Sexytime" (which is a lot more effective, especially since he brings Barry White along for the seduction). Basically, Dimitri wants you to get down, then get naked.

Reminds us of: I'm not wearing pants.

Download this: Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Dimitri From Paris Re Edit)

Grade: C+

Bryan Adams

Album: 11 (Badman)

In stores: Tuesday

Why we care: We've been super-secret Bryan Adams fans ever since we listened to Reckless 1,000 times in the summer of '84. Now that it's the spring of '08, and we've given up trying to be cool, we're telling the world how much we adore the pop-rocking Canadian.

Why we like it: Much like Colonel Sanders or my infant daughter, Adams, 48, loves his formula. All the Adams-ness is there: jangly guitars, arena-sized drums, shout-out anthems, dopey sentiment. The good stuff comes early, and he runs out of catchy too soon. But you'll get nice and lost for awhile.

Reminds us of: His best song? 1984's One Night Love Affair

Download this: Tonight We Have the Stars and I Thought I'd Seen Everything

Grade: B-

SONG OF THE WEEK

Ashlee Simpson

Song: Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)

Album: Bittersweet World (Geffen)

In stores: Now

Why we care: We're well aware that the Simpson machine (Ashlee, Jessica, creepy dad Joe) is incapable of sincerity or originality or anything organic. But this Timbaland-produced single is an earwormy new wave throwback, Gwen Stefani meets Missing Persons meets the hairstylist for A Flock of Seagulls. We shouldn't dig it. But we do.

Why we like it: Ashlee, 23, tells off an ex (or maybe the press) with sexy-automaton snark, like Dale Bozzio doing an iPod commercial. The synths are rightly aged, and the handclaps reek of Martha Quinn-era cheese. Madonna would have killed to have this on her new album.

Reminds us of: "Do you hear me? Do you caaarrre?"

Song grade: C+

Album grade: D