30 Second Reviews from 12/29

Wale
Attention Deficit
SOUNDS LIKE: Silky smooth debut of D.C. emcee with hot guests: GaGa, Jazmine Sullivan, Pharrell, Gucci Mane and Bun B
FREE ASSOCIATION: Hot production, beats, choruses, energy and lyricsm; all good things
FOR FANS OF: Non-douche Kanye, Mark Ronson, Lupe

Robin Thicke
Sex Therapy Sessions
SOUNDS LIKE: The falsetto prince drops a sex-funky R&B opus with friends like Jay-Z, Snoop, Kid Cudi, Estelle and Game
FREE ASSOCIATION: Drifting into adult territory like John Mayer? So make a sexy record
FOR FANS OF: Maxwell, Justin Timberlake, smarminess

Alicia Keys
The Element of Freedom
SOUNDS LIKE: The R&B princess scales back production/guests a bit for a simpler but still super-produced anthem album
FREE ASSOCIATION: Her only guests are Jay-Z and Beyonce; oh you big time now
FOR FANS OF: Prince, Erykah Badu, John Legend, Amerie

Q-Tip
Kamaal the Abstract
SOUNDS LIKE: A strange one from the Tribe hero; a slow, soulful pop-friendly album with rock guitar hooks and tinkly organs
FREE ASSOCIATION: Definitely no "Breath and Stop"s or "Vivrant Thing"s but it's solid
FOR FANS OF: Common, Pharcyde, Tribe Called Quest

Mary J Blige
Stronger with Each Tear
SOUNDS LIKE: MJB purists will be outraged with single "The One" and some auto-tunage, but it's a hot jam and a solid album
FREE ASSOCIATION: Drake and T.I. were about five when What's the 411? came out
FOR FANS OF: Jill Scott, Brandy, Whitney, Alicia Keys

Blakroc
Blakroc
SOUNDS LIKE: Damon Dash got a Black Keys boner and made them record a hip hop record with serious emcee hotshots
FREE ASSOCIATION: Ludacris and ODB? Raekwon, AND RZA? We are in a recession
FOR FANS OF: That Black Lips/GZA record, The Grey Album, Mos Def

Bat for Lashes
Two Suns Special Edition
SOUNDS LIKE: Lovely re-release of the April sophomore effort from Pakistan-born Brit is Pitchfork's #7 album of the year
FREE ASSOCIATION: You get "Two + Two" making-of doc and live tracks; "Daniel" is amazing
FOR FANS OF: Bjork, Kate Bush, Cat Power, Fur & Gold

Frank Zappa
Philly '76
SOUNDS LIKE: Zappa and his freaky crew (including Lady Bianca) at the Spectrum turn out their poppy prog-rock perfectly
FREE ASSOCIATION: Frank kills his fascinating blend of singing/speaking (about poodles)
FOR FANS OF: Historic performances, Jimi Hendrix, Captain Beefheart

CHARTICLE!