Molly Ringwald brings genuineness on jazz debut

Molly Ringwald
“Except Sometimes”
(Concord Music Group)

In her signature roles, she was the ingénue. And while it may not be fair to compare Molly Ringwald the actress with Molly Ringwald the singer, it is hard to ignore the genuineness seen in her characters that also flavors this collection of jazz standards called “Except Sometimes.”

Ringwald‘s voice is unaffected, clear and, at moments, vulnerable. She challenges her range, and coaxes complexity from her honeyed mezzo-soprano. The strongest songs are those with minor inflections that balance her sunny nature, such as “Sooner or Later” and “I Get Along Without You Very Well (Except Sometimes).”

Her debut album is less even elsewhere. On “I Believe in You,” her earnestness belies lines referencing “gin and vermouth.” On “Ballad of the Sad Young Men,” there is scant expression of sorrow.

Ringwald is backed by a skilled quartet that is beautifully arranged and gives full focus to her voice.

A surprise for the 45-year-old’s fans comes at the album‘s close: a fresh interpretation of “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” the melancholic theme for her 1985 film, “The Breakfast Club.” It is impossible to not hear Ringwald as Claire, perhaps a more mature Claire, but an ingénue still.

(AP)


Jake Bugg‘s debut hits high notes

Jake Bugg
“Jake Bugg”
(Mercury Records)

Jake Bugg’s unique discerning tone, with intelligent songwriting, makes it hard to believe this English musician is only 19.

Bugg‘s lyrics are wise beyond his years, and most of the songs on his 14-track, self-titled debut average out under three minutes. He keeps them short, sweet and to the point.

The album was released in Europe last year to critical and commercial success. It has an indie alternative sound jelled with moments of rock ’n’ roll. At times Bugg, a Brit Award nominee, echoes Bob Dylan, one of his musical influences.

“Lightning Bolt” is a witty jaunt, while “Simple as This” is an epic country love song. “Seen It All” is a sad tale about a night out gone wrong, and “Note to Self” is heartwarming.

“Two Fingers” is a sing-along anthem with lyrics like, “So I hold two fingers up to yesterday, light a cigarette and smoke it all away.”

It‘s clever. It’s all very clever.

(AP)


Rilo Kiley‘s ’RKives’ unmoving residue

Rilo Kiley
“RKives”
(Little Record Company)

Rilo Kiley has been pretty well broken up since 2010, and hasn’t released a new album since 2007. That trend of them not being a band continues, poorly, with “RKives,” a collection of unreleased tracks and B-sides that should have stayed that way.

Frontwoman Jenny Lewis stamps nearly every effort with her overbearing alt-rock ooze of vocals. Some songs stick in the brain for melodic reasons, like the hook on “It‘ll Get You There” and the jangly guitar bits on “Runnin’ Around.”

But there‘s a reason why much of this was once relegated to the cutting room floor. It’s simplistic and standard rock, with little personality to turn the newcomer into a Rilo Kiley fan.

One exception worth salvaging from the B-side purgatory is “Dejalo,” a perky little remix featuring the rapper Too Short. Lewis doesn‘t venture from her comfort zone vocally, but at least she tries, which is more than can be said for the bulk of this album’s mundane material.

(AP)