CRITICARCHIVE

Although some closeups reveal the lads are starting to show their age—Angus could take over as host of "Tales From the Crypt"—they still deliver the goods live. Let there be rock.

So what if these old hounds haven't learned any new tricks? After all, they're the ones who invented most of them in the first place.

Although the 45-minute CD is roughly divided between jangling rockers, lightly twangy country-pop fare and darker acoustic material, all the tunes have strong, beautiful melodies, bittersweet lyrics and Adams' Paul Simonish vocals in common.

We've always maintained she was a truly gifted singer squandering her talents on inferior material, so it's heartening to see her finally tackling more grownup, distinctive and varied fare.

A textbook case of a band that's simply trying too hard.

This powerful and textured 50-minute album due in stores Tuesday finds the group hitting their musical stride, striking a near-flawless balance between their various influences.

14 solid tunes that tip their hat to touchstones (the feedback-laced wallop of "1974" was obviously inspired partly by The Stooges' "1969") without being slavish or plagiaristic.

With their downbeat moods, heartworn lyrics and low-wattage ambience, these eight cuts (including an acoustic cover of Oasis's "Wonderwall") come off as equal parts Morrissey and Jeff Buckley—two more obvious comparisons that will do nothing to quiet the naysayers.

This 15-track love song to romance, loneliness and Adams' beloved New York City may end up being the best album he never released.