Ken Tucker

Rock critic Ken Tucker compares two new solo albums by Dave Edmunds ("Closer to the Flame") and Nick Lowe ("Party of One").

Rock critic Ken Tucker checks out singers Michael Bolton and Lisa Stansfield. Ken says Bolton's nothing to sing about, despite his recent Grammy for best pop male vocal. However, Ken says Stansfield's done a good job in mixing 70's disco-soul with 90's dance music.

Rock critic Ken Tucker gives an update on the hard-rock scene and plays some music by three talented new groups: the Southern band "The Black Crowes," the Irish folk-influenced "Raindogs," and the "Rave-Ups," who aren't really new, but have just released their first album on a major label.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new album by J.J. Cale. It's Cale's first album in six years.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new albums from The Residents and Kris Kristofferson. The Residents are a bizarre California-based art band, who make spooky, dreary, multi-layered music. Recently, the Residents have been releasing a series of albums paying homage to great American composers and performers. After having covered artists such as John Phillip Sousa and Hank Wiliams, the group has just issued "The King and I," their homage to Elvis Presley (it's on Enigma). Kristofferson's new album is called "Third World Warrior," (on Mercury).

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "11," the latest album by the Smithereens. Although the album's been out for a few months, Ken says it's getting little notice, and it deserves a listen.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two new albums by rock groups who are doing country music, Southern Pacific's "County Line," and "Pages of Life" by the Desert Rose Band.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker considers two New York acts who are known for their humor: folk-singer Christine Lavin, and the eclectic rock group, They Might Be Giants. Lavin's album, "Attainable Love" is on Rounder Records. They Might Be Giants' album is "Flood," and it's on Elektra.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews new albums from the rap acts "Jungle Brothers" and "3rd Bass."

Rock critic Ken Tucker checks out some of the albums getting heavy airplay on college radio. Ken says college radio used to be hip, but these days it's just as formulaic as Top 40.