THE WHIP

X MARKS DESTINATION

Electro pop, dance punk / Razor & Tie

Spaced out on sound homage to bands like Devo and New Order, but new millennium enough to stand on their own derivative legs, the Whip crept out from storied Manchester, England, on the backs of singles like "Trash" and "Frustration" and remixes for bands such as Asobi Seksu. The quartet's efforts culminated in this 2008 debut, which gets reissued this week with remixes from like-minded Whip souls the Bloody Beetroots, Crookers and more. The Whip has copied the '80s electro-pop model precisely, marrying synths and melodrama with skill. Fan favorites such as the raunchy "Trash," affected "Frustration" and post-punk "Muzzle No. 1" are in fine form, as are lesser-known synthetic ballads like "Sister Siam" and "Sirens."

— Scott Thill, Metromix

Overview: "X Marks Destination" is a throwback to the future.

4 stars

NEKO CASE

MIDDLE CYCLONE

Alt country, indie rock / Anti-

Neko Case's 2006 stunner "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood" raked in best-of accolades from critics and fans. For her sixth studio album, Case tries her hand at love songs. On the cover of "Middle Cyclone," Case crouches barefoot on the hood of a muscle car, her sword raised, her jaw set. The image captures well the promise of the embattled songs within: Double-edged with wildness and wisdom, they vanquish the notion of love as an easy prospect. The almost savage sadness of the songs is balanced by a new freedom and curiosity in their instrumentation. Leaving country noir behind, Case begins to chart new territory by incorporating bells, chimes, horns, an analog delay machine and, on "Don't Forget Me," 21 creaky, old pianos for its woozy salute to Henry Nilsson.

— J.K. Glei, Metromix

Overview: With her megawatt vocals and flawless lyrical craft, Case could already crush most of the competition, but it looks like her arsenal just got bigger.

4 stars

IAN MCLAGAN

NEVER SAY NEVER

Rock / 00:02:59 Records

Legendary keyboardist Ian "Mac" McLagan self-produced his fifth solo album of new material — the first since his wife's death in 2006 — with longtime collaborators the Bump Band and some help from Patty Griffin. These days, Mac's known primarily from his time with '60s British group Small Faces and '70s blues rockers Faces, which was fronted by Rod Stewart. Mac's previous albums have tended to be awkwardly over-produced and instantly dated, but "Never Say Never" is stripped down to the timeless sound of prime-era Faces — and it comes off very well. Rather than seeming like a sad attempt at recapturing glory days, Mac performs as a man who has been through a lot and is rediscovering his best musical mode. His keyboard chops have stayed intact, and his vocals are still both charmingly rough and tenderly on the mark. — Keith N. Dusenberry, Metromix

Overview: Like a Faces record, some songs have swagger, some are softer ballads, but most all of them work.

3 stars

JAKE SHIMABUKURO

LIVE

Instrumental 'ukulele / Hitchhike Records 1108

This is a preview rather than a review, because we haven't yet gotten our hands on Jake Shimabukuro's latest album, but never mind. We already know enough to know that when we do get it, we'll skip right to the 'ukulele virtuoso's cover of Michael Jackson's "Thriller." The album, Shimabukuro's first full-length record since 2006's "Gently Weeps," is a 17-track live album (and it's titled as such: "Live") that includes nine original compositions that have appeared on previous albums, three original new tracks and five covers. In addition to "Thriller," Shimabukuro does his rendition of Bach's Two-Part Invention No. 4 in D Minor, and it wouldn't be a Jake album if it didn't include a version of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." The album will be available for purchase March 8 exclusively at Hawai'i's new Target stores before being released everywhere April 14.

— Advertiser Staff

Overview: It's Jake Shimabukuro's first live album — and he covers "Thriller"!

Not yet reviewed