Norah Jones

“The Fall,” (Blue Note Records)

After three albums, including the Grammy-showered debut “Come Away With Me,” one could forgive Norah Jones for plunking herself happily on the piano bench again and again for a long career of tasteful pop-jazz.

Give her credit, then, for her restlessness. She stretched out into country-rock with the Little Willies side project, and her fourth solo album “The Fall” finds her jettisoning her longtime band and working with a raft of studio collaborators to explore some different sounds.

The easier thing to do would have been to really scuff up Jones’ elegant image with some loud rock tunes (or glossy dance-pop a la Nelly Furtado). But instead, Jones attempts the more difficult task of making very personal music that also sounds very different. Pianos aren’t banished from the room, but often glide underneath assertive guitars and echoing rhythms.

The jazzy “It’s Gonna Be” has an urgency to it that’s very unlike traditional Jones, while the rueful swing of “You Ruined Me” has an Aimee Mann feel to it. As a vocalist, Jones is aiming to sound more than just pretty here, and the jittery “Waiting” and the soaring “Stuck” showcase different facets of her vocal talents.

Those who never liked Jones to begin with will probably dismiss “The Fall” as more music for Starbucks. But fans who dig into the album may like the way she’s freshened up a comfortable formula.

— Rob Thomas, The Capital Times

Bon Jovi

“The Circle,” (Island/Def Jam)

The fiddles and banjos have been packed away. In their place are angry electric guitars, catchy choruses that demand to be shouted out in a football stadium and a return to the unflappable optimism that has made these New Jersey guys legends in the rock biz.

Bon Jovi is back.

“The Circle” is the follow-up to 2007’s successful, but country-flavored, “Lost Highway,” a jarring sonic detour.

Thankfully, Jon Bon Jovi and his band are keeping the faith with the sound that has been their trademark. “We Weren’t Born To Follow,” the fist-pumping anthem that kicks off the CD, has timeless hooks and a punchy beat. A rejuvenated Richie Sambora makes his presence known with more intricate and longer solos.

— Wayne Parry, Associated Press

Kris Allen

“Kris Allen,” (Jive)

On Kris Allen’s self-titled debut album, the “American Idol” presents a collection of pop-rock tunes that are cool and simple — a reflection of what we saw from the married 24-year-old on the eighth season of “Idol.”

Allen, known for his boy-next-door charm, co-wrote nine of the 13 tracks and collaborated with Mike Elizondo (Eminem, Carrie Underwood), Toby Gad (Milli Vanilli, Jordin Sparks) and Irish rockers The Script, among others.

While the CD is a somewhat enjoyable one, it is also average — much like Allen himself. Songs like the heartfelt “Bring It Back” and the soaring “The Truth” could make Allen sound extraordinary — too bad he doesn’t have enough of them.

— Mesfin Fekadu, Associated Press

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