Senior Writer Jeff

U2’s 12th studio album, “No Line on the Horizon,” is out today. Critics seem to like it. At last check, Metacritic’s score was 71 ... that includes some glowing reviews from the media establishment and some less-than-glowing reviews from hip publications that always hate the establishment.

They're back! 30 years and going strong.

I’m just on my second listen ... and, so far, I think it’s solid but not great. But that’s an early response. Ask me again in a couple of weeks.

Just like Bruce Springsteen’s new album last month did, “No Line …” got me thinking about my favorite U2 albums. And just like my Springsteen list, I’m leaving out the obvious. So, here are my 5 favorites other than “Joshua Tree”.

1- Unforgettable Fire.

It’s kind of like “Joshua Tree, Jr”. A fantastic album … of course highlighted by “Pride,” “Bad” and “A Sort of Homecoming.” Honestly, you hear it and wonder how they got better. But a couple of years later they did.

2- Achtung Baby.

The biggest band in the world decides to reinvent its sound … and remains the biggest band in the world. The first time I heard a track off the album I said, “That’s got to be U2. No wait, is it?” Special credit to The Edge.

3- War.

I was 11 years old when I became aware of some new band from Ireland. I still get a buzz from the drums and bass on “Sunday Bloody Sunday.” And a cool twist: The Edge sings the lead on “Seconds.”

4- All That You Can’t Leave Behind.

After Zooropa and Pop, doubters were starting to wonder if U2 was losing relevance. Nope. Bono even said, “Can’t Leave Behind” was U2’s way of, “reapplying for the job of best band in the world.” They’re hired! Every single was great-“Beautiful Day,” “Stuck in a Moment,” “Elevation” and “Walk On”.

5- Boy.

Let’s go back to the really early days. It’s hard to argue that the album is really as smart and sophisticated as “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” or even “Pop”… but there’s always something special about a great band’s debut; you can hear what they’ll become. They still play “I Will Follow” sometimes on tour …which gives you an idea of how much they still think of one of their earliest songs.

So have you heard “No Line on the Horizon” yet? What are you favorite U2 albums? Let me know what you think.

Senior Writer Jeff

For this week’s New Music Tuesday segment, we gave you a taste of Bruce Springsteen’s new album, “Working on a Dream”. His “Born to Run” and “Born in the USA” are considered to be 2 of the greatest albums in rock history. So, here’s a list of my favorite Springsteen albums that don’t start with “Born”. What are your favorites?

You know you love him.

5) The Rising (2002)
Springsteen copes with the tragedy of 9/11 and seeing his hometown in shambles. But, somehow, “The Rising” finds a way to be uplifting.

4) The River (1980)
The ideas were overflowing. The 2-record set is a masterpiece of joy and pain. How are the title track and “Hungry Heart” on the same album? Amazing.

3) Nebraska (1982)
Springsteen’s always been a folk singer in disguise. The title track, “Atlantic City”, “Johnny 99” and “Highway Patrolman” are dark, empty, and unforgettable. He decided to make his next album more listener-friendly, and we all know how that went.

2) Greetings From Asbury Park (1973)
His debut album. I still pull out the vinyl every so often to get that 1973 vibe. It has this feeling like.. whoever this Springsteen kid is, he’s going somewhere special, and I want to go, too. I never get tired of “Growin’ Up”, “Hard to Be a Saint in the City” and “Spirit in the Night”.

1) Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978 )
It came right after “Born to Run”, so you know expectations were high. It’s hard to believe looking back 30 years that there really weren’t any hits. “Badlands” and “The Promised Land” are on the short list of my favorite Springsteen songs.

Which Springsteen albums do you love? Any favorite lyrics? Tell us in the comments field below.

Senior Writer Jeff

Every Tuesday on Morning Express, we tell you about the best new CDs hitting stores.

This week, we have a special blog edition of New Music Tuesday.

The Zac Brown Band’s new album, “Foundation” is out this week. The guys are riding high right now. Their single “Chicken Fried” is a top 5 hit, and it’s been on the country music charts for 5 months.

I asked Zac a few questions about the new album, his heroes, and of course, how to cook up some tasty fried chicken.

Writer Jeff: Your new album is called “Foundation”… and you’ve started a non-profit foundation for kids. What inspired you to do that?
Zac Brown: The inspiration came from working at camps for kids, especially Camp Mikell and Camp Glisson.

WJ: You guys sold out a show recently in New York. How does it feel to be a boy from the Georgia mountains playing in front of sold-out crowds in NYC?
ZB: It feels good to know that people like good music wherever you are.

WJ: “Chicken Fried” is climbing the charts. How do you balance enjoying your success vs. worrying about finding another hit?
ZB: I feel that people who like “Chicken Fried” will like our other songs.

WJ: Zac, you used to own a restaurant where you were also the cook. What are your tips for making great fried chicken?
ZB: Getting quality chicken, frying it in peanut oil and having the oil at the right temperature that will crisp up the skin without burning it and of course you need the right seasoning and I like to have a little breading on the chicken.

WJ: If you could pick anything to eat tonight for dinner, what would it be?
ZB: Sushi.

WJ: You’ve opened for some of the biggest names in country music. What’s it been like getting to meet your musical heroes?
ZB: Sharing the stage with them has been the biggest milestone of my career.

WJ: You’ve even opened for ZZ Top. That sounds like a battle of the beards as much as a battle of the bands. Did you guys compare grooming tips?
ZB: No, but Billy Gibbons made a point to come out and let us know he enjoyed our music. They make a lot of music as a 3 piece band. They are legends of Rock and Roll.

WJ: Do you ever think you’ll shave off your beard?
ZB: I don’t have any plans to but later down the road you never know what you’re going to do.

From Senior Writer Jeff

The clash, ca. 1978.

Every Tuesday we tell you about some of the biggest new CDs in stores.
This week, we didn’t have a chance to mention on air one that I really like.

It’s "The Clash: Live at Shea Stadium."

The concert was October 13, 1982 … at the height of their popularity … and as their personal relationships were starting to show some strain.

Less than a year later, Mick Jones was gone, and so was one of the great rock bands ever. (Let’s not dwell on the "Cut the Crap" era.)

If you’re as much a fan as I am, 'Live at Shea' will be a real treat.
They break right into "London Calling" … and fire through 16 of their classics.

Feel free to leave your reviews in the comments field below. And thanks for watching New Music Tuesdays on Morning Express!

Copy Editor Felicia

First up is 21-year-old Philly native Jazmine Sullivan.

Ever since her single debut, "Need You Bad," burned up the airwaves early this summer, many have been waiting breathlessly for Sullivan’s CD, “Fearless.” The 12-track CD features hip-hop heavyweight Missy Elliott. (She also is featured and co-produced that first single.)

Be sure t give a listen to Leigh Jones' new album, "Music in my Soul."

If you haven't heard of Sullivan, think of the sultry sounds of Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige, but a younger version, without some of the real-life emotional baggage.

Some songs to check out include “Lions, Tigers and Bears,” “After the Hurricane,” “Fear,” and “In Love with Another Man.” Clive Davis and the folks at J-Records are confident about this new rising singer.

You can check out the latest single and bio info on their website. She's also opening for Maxwell's return concerts. (Remember him? It’s been about 7 years since we've heard from that Neo-soul phenom.) Those concerts start next month in major cities, like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.

Next up is a blue-eyed Soul/R&B/Jazz singer named Leigh Jones. The word is that this L.A. native impressed Motown Records Founder Berry Gordy so much, he came out of retirement to help out with the song, "Cold in L.A."

According to her bio on Peak Records, Gordy says, "Throughout my career I have been blessed to discover many great musical talents. I feel Leigh Jones is destined to be on of the next big stars. She's awesome!"

"Music in my Soul" debuted this month with 13 tracks. What's interesting about Jones is that she doesn't seem to fall into the studio pre-fab, female pop singers, who sometimes don't have the musical chops to back it up. Her CD is worth taking a listen to.

If you give her a chance, you may be hooked in enough to listen to the entire CD, like I was. It definitely has a mellow, jazzy feel to it. Some standout tracks: “Music,” “Free Fall” “All This Love,” “Have it Your Way,” “Sick of Fools” and “I’m Leavin’ You.”

Remember, tune into "Morning Express with Robin Meade" every Tuesday for the latest CD releases.

Copy Editor Felicia

Eric Benet is back with his new, long-awaited, fourth CD.

After his failed marriage with actress Halle Berry, singer Eric Benet is back with a new, long-awaited fourth CD, “Love & Life.” What’s unique about Benet’s CD is that his 16-year-old daughter, India, is singing backup for him.

On his Web site, the R&B singer says he went back to his Milwaukee roots to make the soulful album. He boasts this CD may be the cause of another baby boom. Critics seem to agree. Billboard Magazine has given it a positive review, calling it pure Eric Benet, which pretty much means pure old-school R&B. Billboard says the 12-track CD is a healthy mix of gospel, jazz, and latin rhythms.

If you want to take a listen to Benet’s a cappella version of “You’re the Only One” with his daughter on Youtube.com, click here.

And remember to tune into "Morning Express with Robin Meade" every Tuesday for the latest CD releases.

From Senior Writer Jeff

Too much is never enough: That was the motto for MTV when I was a kid.

Actor Terrence Howard has released an album. Critics say it's pretty good.

It’s also true when it comes to fame. Celebrities just can’t get enough attention.
And, it seems many of them try to extend their Us Weekly domination by chasing a career as pop stars.

Paris Hilton has tried singing. So has Eddie Murphy, Don Johnson, Patrick Swayze and recently, Scarlett Johansson. Yeah, it’s not a pretty list. But, once in a while … a star proves to have the skills.

Actor Terrence Howard has a new CD, “Shine Through It,” out this week. He’s been nominated for a best actor Academy Award for “Hustle and Flow” … when he played a pimp who wanted to become a hip hop star.

No, he doesn’t rap on “Shine.” In fact, it’s something completely different … soft rock and R&B. He wrote and co-produced the entire album. And, he played guitar as well.

And critics say it’s really good.

Our producer Mark compared his voice to Seal’s. I totally agree. Howard thinks his style has some Don McLean and Cat Stevens mixed in, too.

Here’s the music video for his first single: Have a listen, and enjoy. If you like smooth ballads, you can’t get too much of this.

And remember … watch Morning Express every Tuesday to find out about the new CDs in stores.

Writer Mike

Today is Tuesday, and that means new CD releases. We’ve got a bunch too, including Blues Traveler, Little Feat, Slipknot and one of my favorites–The Verve. The Verve’s latest album “Forth” is essentially a comeback effort after an eight-year absence. There’s plenty of sneer and pop to go around on the album. Check out the single “Love Is Noise."

Another release today is from “The Lost Trailers.” I’m more into “classic country” but Robin loves these guys and says their hit “Holler Back” is all over the radio. In fact, she loves them so much, she plans to hang out with the band this weekend! Don’t worry though, you’ll be able to check it all out on an upcoming podcast.

As an aside, every time I go online to checkout the upcoming releases, it always reminds me of when I was a kid... when it wasn’t so easy to find out who was coming out with an album and when. I always had to ask the record store clerk and hope that he/she wasn’t in a grumpy mood. They’d loom over me as I’d scan the printout, and make mental notes. Did any of you music geeks do that too? Ah… it’s so much easier now.

Senior Writer Jeff

Critics are giving country crooner Keith Anderson credit for showing his softer side with his new CD in stores today, “C’mon.” And Anderson wants to share the love, one fan at a time. He’s standing by, ready to give you a hug.

No, I’m not kidding.

Click here to check it out.

Enjoy a warm embrace from the guy People magazine calls one of the “50 Hottest Bachelors!”

One warning, ladies… you may find this disappointing: word is he has a longtime girlfriend.

Remember, you can find out about the coolest new music hitting stores every Tuesday on our show!

Senior Writer Jeff

Every Tuesday, I work behind the scenes to help Robin tell you about the new CDs in stores. We call it “New Music Tuesday."

But, this week, the team joked it should be called “Old Music Tuesday.”

The Rolling Stones have a new concert DVD out called “Shine a Light.” (It was directed by the great Martin Scorsese.)

Once upon a time, rock’s motto was “Hope I die before I get old.” But now, when rock stars ask, “Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I’m 64?”… the crowds—of all ages–give an emphatic “YES!”

And they don’t care that the artists aren’t coming out with great, new songs. In fact, the crowds want the tried and true. On “Shine a Light,” every song is at least 25 years old. Billy Joel, age 59, hasn’t come out with a new rock album in 15 years. Who cares?! He just sold out the final 2 concerts ever at Shea Stadium.

Here are some numbers to help put it in perspective:

Pete Townshend is 63. Mick Jagger is 65. Paul McCartney is 66.

Besides feeling a bit old myself when I think about their ages, I’m amazed at how they can still thrill crowds. The Who gave a “farewell tour” in 1982. So much for that. Pete and Roger have a tour planned for the fall. I remember seeing the Stones in 1989, and wondering if I had just seen their last tour. Hah!

On our show this morning, Robin talked about how she really wanted to see a Stones concert one of these days before it’s too late. Apparently, there’s no rush. The Stones just might be around forever. Time is totally on their side. And that’s cool by me.