Entertainment, Music - Navy Times

Reviews: Staind, Shwayze, Karina

Spotlight: And now for Staind’s next album trick ...

Staind

“The Illusion of Progress” (2½ stars out of 4)

Still loitering at Kurt Cobain’s funeral, Staind has yet to budge from the minor-key, major-pain formula that it has glumly but fiercely embraced for more than a decade. On the band’s aptly titled sixth studio album, Aaron Lewis and company remain steadfast post-grunge disciples despite promises of musical leaps. One touted enhancement: the word “pain” never surfaces in the lyrics. Cue the thesaurus! There’s still enough distress and agony for a “Dead Man Walking” sequel, and the album’s clichéd rock drone and inventory of complaints start to blur into one lulling lugubrious lament.

On the bright side — and “Illusion ”needs one — Staind serves up a nicely crafted ballad or two and manages a few engaging surprises, including the spare, acoustic “Tangled Up in You,” politically charged “Rainy Day Parade ”and “The Corner,” with a gospel choir and bluesy grandeur worthy of Pink Floyd. — Edna Gundersen

Download: “The Corner,” “All I Want,” “Believe”

Consider “Believe,” “This Is It,” “Rainy Day Parade”

Skip: “Pardon Me,” “Save Me,” “The Way I Am”

Shwayze

(2½ stars)

Reality for the laid-back Malibu rapper and his producer/acoustic guitarist, Cisco Adler, can be summed up in words that rhyme with Shwayze — crazy, lazy, hazy (especially the last). The stoner stars of MTV’s “Buzzin”’ blaze their way through a bevy of beach blanket babes while keeping it mellow with hits of humor. The songs are fun, even utterly silly at times, and they linger about as long as a puff of smoke. — Steve Jones

Download: “Corona and Lime,” “Polaroid,” “Flashlight”

Skip: “Buzzin”’

Amy Macdonald

“This Is the Life” (3 stars)

Another week, another album by a sassy songbird from the U.K. — in this case, Scotland, which may explain why Macdonald, 20, has been compared with KT Tunstall. But the singer’s punchy but often distinctly earnest tunes and piquant but tender singing nod to less obvious influences, from favorite bands such as Travis to Sinéad O’Connor and Dolores O’Riordan. Macdonald still has a lot of living, and learning, to do, but “Life” is an engaging introduction. — Elysa Gardner

Download: “Mr. Rock & Roll,” “A Wish for Something More”

Consider: “Poison Prince,” “L.A.”

Skip: “Youth of Today”

Karina

“First Love” (3 stars)

Karina nimbly sidesteps the pitfalls that beset most 16-year-old ingénues — being too gushy or too grown. It turns out that the songwriting pianist’s first love is music, and she puts her impressive pipes to work singing about family, determination and being yourself. Then there are boys, but only if they come correct. It all comes from a teen who seems smart enough not to try to grow up too soon. — Jones

Download: “’90s Baby,” “16@War,” “Slow Motion,” “Winner”

Skip: “Can’t Find the Words”