This week, two artists who were once top of the charts attempt to make it back in to the limelight.
Poseidon and the Bitter Bug by Indigo Girls: It's been 22 years and 10 major-label albums since the Indigo Girls' independently released debut, and their return to self-governance is a sweet relief.
This set contains two discs, one of full-band recordings of the album's 10 tracks and one of acoustic versions, plus a bonus song – a decision that's as good a "because we can" statement as any.
Musically, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers apply their familiar close harmony and nimble songwriting to a bit of experimentation beyond their folk-rock trade. In Digging for Your Dream, Saliers' guitar somersaults in decidedly R&B fashion, while Ray's Driver Education dabbles in the synth and chimes of '80s teen pop.
The duo delivers a few real emotional stunners. Saliers' Fleet of Hope is a breathtaking chantey of fear and acceptance, and Ray shines on the raw devotional True Romantic, bringing to mind Janis Joplin (along with an unexpected dose of Morrissey).
Voices by Yanni: Yanni's orchestral compositions had the "popera" crowd eating from his hand long before the genre had a name, so his first album of vocal-driven pop songs would make bank even if the project wasn't as good as it is. But Voices is one of the better adult records around. Its exotic flourishes are authentic, given the musician's Greek heritage and seasoned world view: The desert dance numbers Our Days and Ritual De Amor (Desire) get the blood pumping, and the bright chimes of Orchid salute the Far East.
Titles like Kill Me With Your Love and Set Me Free may sound trite, but that's overridden by their seductive singing and fresh pop appeal. The album falters only when the vocals are overdubbed to previously released orchestra tracks like Omaggio (Tribute) and Amare Di Nuovo (Adagio C Minor). Those flaws aren't enough to mar enjoyment of the album, and other such attempts, like Mi Todo Eres Tu (Until the Last Moment), fare better.