This week's Listen Up reviews: Jeezy, Fantasia, Ghostface, reissues and more
The end of the year continues to be hip-hop-heavy, so USA TODAY's Steve Jones is getting his licks in. But the other critics are all represented in this week's Listen Up album reviews:Young Jeezy offers the second course in his street education program, Steve says. If you're curious as to what would Jeezy do (to borrow (that is, steal) the nifty headline USA TODAY's Sue Brandon concocted for the newspaper version of Listen Up), check out the at times repetitious but frequently clever proceedings.
Fantasia is out to please herself on her second album, and listeners will reap the benefits, Edna Gundersen says of the former American Idol.
Some have called USA TODAY the nation's fish wrapper, but that title may rightfully belong to Ghostface Killah, whose More Fish follows the classic Fishscale and impresses Steve nearly as much.
Tyrese puts on his Black Ty identity to rap on one half of a double album and holds his own as an MC, Steve says, though the ballads on the song album are stronger.
Loreena McKennitt returns after an eight-year absence with more folk fusion comfort food, says a comestibly metaphorical Brian Mansfield.
There's also a quick reissue roundup (by me) of three worthy projects. One is kind of a reissue tribute album, The Harry Smith Project, in which contemporary artists reinterpret songs from the landmark '50s reissue project Anthology of American Folk Music.
Then there's Neil Young Crazy Horse's fiery Live at the Fillmore and pioneering alt-pop from The Sneakers.
Full reviews and clips follow.
Young Jeezy offers the second course in his street education program.
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