Sia, 'We Are Born'
Sia's sound on her breakout fourth album is more sun than shade. The out, anti-fame Aussie known for lassoing us into a web of doom and gloom with LPs like "Healing is Difficult" – or, more significantly, the killer theme from the "Six Feet Under" finale, "Breathe Me" – lightens up with this retro sure-to-be-classic of anthemic sing-alongs, swell soul numbers and perky pop songs. "Clap Your Hands" is pure feel-good fun, dressed in disco and fueled by a shimmery chorus that's an instant win-over, but these seemingly frothy nuggets have hearty substance bubbling under their sugarcoated coverings. "The Fight" joyously sings about overcoming hardships hand-in-hand and "Stop Trying" takes on an overachiever; "Bring Night" wants the long day to end and "Never Gonna Leave Me" is just about the cutest cut ever, bebopping about with xylophone tings as she opens up her soulful croon to riff on loyalty. All this sugary sweetness, though, doesn't mean Sia's sorrow isn't waiting in the wings. She immaculately covers Madonna's "Oh Father," and when "I'm in Here" sops the sun out of her with its plaintive wail – or she segues from funky synth-shapeshifter to piano-only emote on "Big Girl, Little Girl" – keep the perk-up pills nearby. But sad, happy, whatever – Sia's bipolar behavior makes for some of the best pop music this year. (Available June 22) Grade: A-
Cyndi Lauper, 'Memphis Blues'
Cyndi Lauper's voice can sing the hell out of anything. And it almost has. From the Great American Songbook to 2008's club comeback "Bring Ya to the Brink," the girl that just wanted to have fun over 20 years ago busts out the blues on her vintage 11th album. Her stray from "gay" – in the shift from shiny radio-ready songs to dirty, non-fluff fodder – is, at first, like eating dinner when all you want is dessert, until the she's-so-unusual quirks click (including a Jackie Chan mention on the single, "Just Your Fool") and the power of her range and the production start to stick after a few spins. Lauper's completely immersed in the old-time soul on these covers, singing with a meaty boldness and authenticity rather than perfection over swaggering electric guitar whirrs, organ spurs, sax sections and bouts of harmonica. She starts a fire both times she teams with hot blues boy Jonny Lang, especially on the sassy keyboard-kissed "How Blue Can You Get?," and also nabs the master, B.B. King, for the chill "Early in the Mornin'." She sounds great solo, too, over the doo-wop-style shimmy of "Don't Cry No More" and on "Romance in the Dark," when she belts a starry-night dreamer that's suitable for a slow dance. Or some "she bop" fun. (Available June 22) Grade: B
Also Out
'Sex and the City 2: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'
Yep, Liza Minnelli's take on "Single Ladies" is really "that" bad – a high-camp earsore that's about as harmonious as listening to a choir of dying cats. Her competition, luckily, doesn't fare remarkably better on this soup of a soundtrack. Besides borrowed greats like "True Colors" and Alicia Keys' solo "Empire of the State," powerhouses Leona Lewis and J. Hud spoon feed schmaltz with "Love Is Your Color," the "Sex and the City" Men's Choir bores and there's another Liza song, "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye," that's not quite as lethal.
Celine Dion, 'Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert'
Love or loathe her, there's no disputing that the diva's titanic-sized pipes nail every note live. The showpieces on this tour double-discer that's captured on a stop from her most recent worldwide trek are, of course, the freakishly wooing ballads, like "All By Myself," "My Heart Will Go On" and "To Love You More." Cornier chance-taking moments come up on the DVD, which features dance theatrics and a Queen homage – and Celine's fancy footwork, crazy facial contortions and dramatic end poses. Chest whacks are, sadly, lacking.
