Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

They’ve shared stages and producers with Oasis, so it’s not surprising that Jet’s Nic and Chris Cester have a few things in common with the Gallagher brothers—like booze-soaked nights and fookin’ big rock anthems. “Stand Up” is the Aussie band’s latest stadium-sized monster destined to get cell phones a-flashing. But Jet’s sophomore album also has unexpected delights, including the harmony-filled gem “Eleanor,” the string-laden “Bring It On Back” and the stirring title track, a tribute to the Cesters’ late father.

As Neko Case did recently, Portland’s Colin Meloy has turned to an ancient folk tale for inspiration—with wondrous results. The Decemberists’ leader has made the story of a Japanese peasant and his magical bird into the epic title track of his band’s latest album. With other songs exploring themes of murder (the grisly “Shankhill Butchers”) and romance (the gorgeous “Yankee Bayonet,” which the hyper-literate Meloy calls a “Civil War-era ghost love story”) the collection amounts to a modest prog-folk masterpiece.

Tom Waits calls him “one of the architects of American music.” While Burke’s best known for soul and r&b, his love of hurtin’ music is genuine. That fondness shines through on duets with Gillian Welch (“Valley of Tears”) and Dolly Parton (“Tomorrow is Forever”). Other pairings include the gospel-country magic with Patty Griffin on “Up on the Mountain” and some sweet harmony with Emmylou Harris on “We’re Gonna Hold On.” Not since Ray Charles first embraced the music has country sounded so soulful.