From the moment Australia's Jet appeared in 2003, with its guitar-driven intro to radio single "Cold Hard Bitch," you sensed the outfit wasn't pulling any punches. It's this power-chord vibe that has thankfully crept its way back into the band's Shine On. The obvious struggle for the quartet is balancing its hard rock tendencies ("Rip it Up") with a more pop, obviously Beatles-influenced, approach ("Shine On" and "Stand Up"). John BensonBeck
The Information
Interscope
Sounds like: Odelay, Part IV
Short take: Would've killed in '97
click to enlarge
You've got to hand it to Beck: He's an oddball, he knows he's an oddball and he makes music for oddballs. But on The Information, Beck's 12th (!) release, it all starts to tire. If you replaced this disc with any of his other recent efforts, would anyone notice? Well, when it comes down to it, loyal Beck fans might miss "I Think I'm in Love," which is as good as Beck gets, as well as "Strange Apparition" and its welcome piano touches. Pete Freedman
click to enlarge
Evanescence
The Open Door
Wind-Up
Sounds like: If Celine and Ozzy mated
Short take: What Would Amy Lee Do?
Evanescence was everywhere after 2004's Anywhere But Home. On The Open Door, Evanescence seems primed for similar success perhaps with more singles. "Call Me When You're Sober," one of the great track titles ever, is already dominating pop and rock stations, and "Sweet Sacrifice" seems a perfect second release. Whether you dig the heavy sound or not, Lee's talent is undeniable. Pete Freedman
