What I've Been Spinning.. 9/13
Bob Dylan - Street Legal - A forgotten Dylan classic from 1978. Ever wondered what he'd sound like fronting the E Street Band? Wonder no more. An album better heard from start to finish than by individual song, Dylan's cinematic songs benefit from the color provided by his enormous backing band. You'll hear better Dylan records than this one - but you won't hear one quite like this again.
John Mayer - Continuum - John Mayer was always capable of making a good album. He's got the talent. It's just for the first two he stuck to writing boner jams for the teenage set. The time he spent playing with Buddy Guy and B.B. King, as well as his own Trio smartened him up. On his third (and easily, best) record, Mayer marries his technical ability with his penchant for writing a good pop song. The result is a digestable concoction of blues, soul, jazz and...boner jams. The songs are there - such as the fantastic leadoff single "Waiting on the World to Change" and the delicate "Heart of Life" - but the production may be a little too tight. I have a feeling this record may be one to hear better live, where the songs are given some room to breathe.
Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds - When I'm not trying to force this record down people's throats, I'm probably listening to it. Five years ago, I would have never considered listening to Justin Timberlake, much less make an album this musically literate. JT recruits some of the game's top produces - Timbaland (who produces a bulk of the album), Black Eyed Peas Will.I.Am, industry vet Rick Rubin and even Oscar winners(!) Three 6 Mafia drop in for "Chop Me Up". It's a collection of quirky pop, (What Goes Around/...Comes Around Interlude), club bangers (yeah, that dud SexyBack), and even a slow burn ballad in the form of "(Another Song) All Over Again". Far from perfect - it'll probably be forgotten about in the years to come - but it's more engaging with each additional listen. Definately a surprise for this fall music season.
