The Dream and P.O.S.

It's been a long week. I've been lazy on the music blogging lately but not the music buying, so here's a two-for-one.

When the critics start raving about a club R&B album, I have to at least take note. Come on, this genre has been an artistic sinkhole for a decade. The Dream's new record, Love Vs. Money, does a lot to change this. This album makes the most of layered synths, falsetto singing that sounds like Michael Jackson's Off The Wall, perfectly placed guest singers, and booty-call lyrics that would make Prince proud. On "Put It Down", he says he's "all up on you like a white shirt on a thug" and asks if you "like it from the back". Wow. It's not high poetry, but its hilarious, fun, and you'll find yourself playing it over and over (and it might double the birth rate in America).

"Walkin' On The Moon" is the sound of Kanye West having fun again - a nice diversion from his last record. "My Love" is one of the catchiest, most memorable performances Mariah Carey has recorded in years. But the Dream can do it on his own too - "Fancy" is an epic ballad that builds on a piano and almost whispered vocals until an orchestra and pounding military drums join. Then he backs off the serious material for a hilarious track about having sex to R. Kelly's album 12 Play. This isn't just a club album - this is an anywhere album. Right now, I can't put it down.

Almost as impressive is Never Better, the new record by the underground Minnesota rapper P.O.S. He sets the tones with guitar strums and rhymes about how it's "a goddamn recession, have a little respect". His style is a mix between early Nas and Zach De La Rocha - he isn't particularly memorable as a rapper, but he fits the style well and he knows how to put a single together.

"Drumroll (We're All Thirsty)" is even more thrilling: a punk band warms up and then halt as P.O.S. comes in off rhythm as they drop out. Once they get in sync, he drops verses that will make your head spin. This album is best described as a thrill ride. The ideas come so fast, there isn't time for the listener to sort them out.

"Savion Glover" and "Goodbye" drop the guitar distortion for pop hooks and synthesizers, and it still works. These could be two of the best hip-hop singles you'll hear this year. If you miss Rage Against The Machine like I do, this might be your best replacement. It isn't for everybody, but if political rage and spit-fire rhymes are your cup of tea, here you go.

Halfway through March, we already have a timeless masterpiece (Animal Collective), two solid weep-along records (Neko Case and Antony And The Johnson), a great veteran comeback (U2), a rising underground rap star (P.O.S.), and a guilty pleasure album that is more addictive than drugs (The Dream). 2009 is a good year to be alive. Well, besides that whole recession thing...