SOUND ADVICE: BDN writers’ reviews of new albums from across the musical spectrum

Editor’s Note: In Sound Advice, rock columnist Emily Burnham and a revolving stable of NEWS writers review new albums from across the musical spectrum.

“Accelerate” (Warner Brothers) – R.E.M.

Is it a comeback? Well, as the members of R.E.M. would tell you, they never really went away. The band’s last three albums all contain moments of greatness, but the high points are obscured by the multitude of ponderous ballads that R.E.M. has become fond of since the departure of drummer Bill Berry in 1997.

After the critical and commercial nadir of 2004’s “Around the Sun,” even diehard R.E.M. fans feared the end was near (or worse, a career as the alt-rock Rolling Stones, cranking out the old hits in arenas for years to come). The stakes were high, and R.E.M. knew it.

Thus, “Accelerate” marks a 180-degree turn from the increasing lethargy of their recent records. With hotshot producer Jacknife Lee on board, R.E.M. have cranked out an album that’s as loud, angry and concise as their previous records were quiet, resigned and longwinded.

Opener “Living Well Is the Best Revenge” typifies the new approach, which hearkens back to their classic ’80s records on the IRS label. Peter Buck’s speedy guitar arpeggios, Mike Mills’ melodic bass and distinctive backing vocals and Michael Stipe’s cryptic lyrics are all present and accounted for.

R.E.M. slows things down briefly for the creepy Hurricane Katrina requiem “Houston” and “Until the Day Is Done,” a somber look back at the Bush years, but otherwise the pace is unflagging, with chaotic rockers like “Horse To Water” and “I’m Gonna DJ” tumbling one after another in a breathless rush to the finish. “Accelerate” isn’t up to the lofty standards of “Murmur” or “Automatic for the People,” but its revival of an iconic and beloved band more than justifies its existence. – TRAVIS GASS

“Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!” (Anti) – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

From the opening organ blast on the title track, it’s clear that Nick Cave has lost none of the urgent, down-and-dirty rock ‘n’ roll swagger displayed so prominently and effectively last year’s Grinderman album, a side project from his main gig with the Bad Seeds.

But where Grinderman was pure id, pure mojo, a Bad Seeds record carries with it more emotional heft. Nick Cave has always dealt with religion, sex, violence and poetry in both his lyrics and his music, and “Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!” is no exception. In fact, more so than any previous Bad Seeds album, “Dig” is a perfect combination of all those elements, with the imminently satisfying bonus of it being a killer rock ‘n’ roll record.

Rife with churning organ and squalls of blissfully messy guitar feedback, the Bad Seeds sound has been honed to a razor-sharp point. The lyrics deal with shady, flawed people, as with the Lazarus character in the title track, the women in “More News From Nowhere” (Polly, Alina, Deanna and others who have appeared on previous Bad Seeds records), and the protagonists of the darkly funny “We Call Upon the Author.” And yet, “Night of the Lotus Eaters” and “Jesus of the Moon” both manage to be arrestingly lovely ballads. It even gets a little funky, as on the reggae-tinged “Moonland.”

“Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!” is raucous, it’s coarse, and it’s intoxicatingly decadent. Like most Nick Cave albums, it’s a good one for listening to at night, over a bottle of sweet red wine and a bitter but not broken heart. And, as Cave turns 50 years old, it’s proof that, like a good wine, some things get better and better with age. – EMILY BURNHAM

“When Angels & Serpents Dance” (Columbia) – P.O.D.

A pop-metal band with a conscience, P.O.D. has questions for mankind and the higher power on its latest release.

The group that scored hits with songs such as “Alive” and “Youth of the Nation” has brought old guitarist Marcos Curiel back in the fold for “When Angels & Serpents Dance,” but takes its sound to new places. P.O.D. experiments with a range of styles, including a nod to reggae (“I’ll Be Ready,” featuring The Marley Sisters) and a slightly forced hip-hop and rock creature (“Kaliforn-Eye-A” with Mike Muir of Suicidal Tendencies).

Lead vocalist Sonny talks to Jah and speaks against war and hate on quite a few tracks – “Tell Me Why” and “Rise Against” among them. Love and rebellion are not new ground for rock groups, but P.O.D. keeps bringing out undeniable catchy anthems. The lyrics for the anti-war “End of the World” sound contrived, but sincerity sparkles on “Shine with Me” and “Condescending.” “It Can’t Rain Everyday” tells stories of lost jobs and children to illustrate the sharp contrast between hope and despair.

P.O.D. seems to have given up a lot of its thrash and “Boom” on “Angels & Serpents.” With the exception of “God Forbid,” the songs are more radio-friendly rock than metal. Apparently hard times don’t always breed hard music. – JUDY LONG

“Tiffany Evans” (Columbia) – Tiffany Evans

Tiffany Evans is a teenage girl. But the 15-year-old has already had the some of the successes of a young woman.

A “Star Search” junior grand champion title. A budding film career. And now, “Tiffany Evans,” a debut album with appearances from some of the top names in music today.

Evans, 15, doesn’t exactly stand apart from the recent wave of young female singers such as Rihanna, Beyonce or Ciara, whom Evans claims as a mentor. Ciara, all of 22 herself, is listed as an executive producer on “Tiffany Evans” along with The Clutch. The album opens with the single “Promise Ring,” which features on appearance from Ciara, and once the song gets going, it’s hard to tell where she stops and Evans begins.

The album is an ode to youth and young love, with its breezy, fun sound. Yet Evans is a sensible 15-year-old, exhorting girls to button up and dress their age in “Girl Gone Wild.”

Rapper Bow Wow appears on “I’m Grown” – a fitting guest spot considering he was just 13 when he released his debut as Lil’ Bow Wow. Evans strikes a more mature note on that song, but sounds more like her teenage self on the sweet “Can’t Walk Away.”

Evans, who became the only performer in “Star Search” history to receive perfect scores on all of her appearances, shows her range. She lets her voice soar on “Angels on Earth.” The beat on “Impossible” makes it the most danceable track on the album.

Rodney Jerkins and Ne-Yo also show up as producers – big names for a young girl who will only grow from here. – JESSICA BLOCH