Couples drive

Serena Ryder - “If Your Memory Serves You Well”
Just 23, Serena Ryder has a huge bluesy, soulful and mature voice. On her major label release, “If Your Memory Serves You Well” , Serena covers some remarkable less than well-known Canadian songs like the 1949 anti-war anthem Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream, to the goofy 1967 hit Good Morning Sunshine from the musical “Hair”. This is an unconventional way to showcase a brilliant new talent but it totally works, as Ryder takes each song and breathes new life, passion and emotion into them. The final two songs are originals and they bode well for the next release.�

Macy Gray - “BIG”
Get your funk out with the best R&B singer in the business. This album, with its huge bottom end, will show off your ride’s sound system while keeping the atmosphere sexy and fun. Macy could sing the phone book and make it seem X-rated, so if love is in the air this is the CD that will set the mood. Let the windows defog before driving please.�

The Shins - “Wincing the Night Away”
Wonderfully weird, The Shins own the hippest album of the season. At their core they are a straight-up pop/rock band that takes the genre and just twists it enough to make things truly interesting. This band is all angles and corners making for quirky, but highly accessible listening. Falsettos shimmer and off kilter lyrics take your head for a spin as well.�

Norah Jones - “Not Too Late”
Flying a bit under the radar this time Norah Jones delivers a beautiful understated record that grows on you with each listen. Stellar tracks like Wish I Could, Thinking About You and Not Too Late are more Roots than Jazz and this whole album has a kicked-back front porch feel that misses only the buzzing of a honey bee and summer’s heat.�

Amy Winehouse - “Back to Black”
Amy Winehouse is a bad, bad, girl who likes her booze. She is a throw back to the ‘60s girl group sound. Elements of R&B, Gospel and Soul are sloshed around in this glass as Amy ambles around in her stilettos creating new catch phrases like “What kind of !@#$ery is this?” or “Love is a fate resigned”. If the “DreamGirls” movie soundtrack was too sweet for you try this sour cocktail, it’s sure to please.�