Blake Lewis

Audio Daydream
(Arista/J Records)
***

American Idol also-ran Blake Lewis is known for his beat-boxing. Yet 53 minutes of “mouth music” (though fabulous in another context) would be beyond boring. So Lewis and producer Ryan Tedder attempt a pop rainbow of sounds on this debut, from jaunty hip-hop (the ace “Break Anotha”) to Maroon 5 slow burn (“Know My Name”) to radio-friendly ballads (“I Got U”). “Gots to Get Her” blends its “Puttin' On the Ritz” melody with lame Latin rhythms; and “1000 Miles” steals chord changes from The Police's “Every Breath She Takes” to no good purpose. Yet it's all pleasant enough, with glimmers of potential to prime Lewis as the next Justin Timberlake or Adam Levine. —DAN LOUGHRY

Black Mountain

In the Future (Jagjaguwar)
**

What do Canadians put in their water? Wolf Parade, Frog Eyes, Broken Social Scene—these peculiar bands are shambolic, experimental, dissonant, and unlike each other. Add Black Mountain to that list. Though they have classic rock chops—crisp drones, Zeppelin-esque riffs—they play sludgy psychedelica that befits the surreally beautiful landscape of Vancouver—meaning their music is both harsh and lush. This sophomore CD improves upon their debut with sharper, shorter songs (except for the sixteen minute “Bright Lights”). Yet there's a hint of self-parody throughout, and they're too serious. A band that calls a track “Stormy High” needs some self-reflexive wit. Still, drug-addled alterna-freaks might love it. —D.L.

Cat Power

Jukebox (Matador)
**

Rod Stewart's been milking other people's songs for retirement cash for several years now. Barry Manilow's doing it too. Everyone is, it seems. So why shouldn't the indie people get in on that action? They already have been, of course: Jose Gonzalez took on Kylie, Will Oldham borrowed an Elton John song and Cat Power, on her first LP of other people's hits, went after The Rolling Stones. On this second helping of re-imaginings, she second-takes Joni Mitchell, Frank Sinatra, and herself with a new version of “Metal Heart” from her own Moon Pix record. Her voice is stronger and more satisfying than ever, the formerly shy whisper receiving some new-found lung capacity. And this song choice is almost perfect: personally, I think it'd be great if she went out on the same Gonzalez limb and covered Mel & Kim or Rick Astley, but you can't always get what you want. —DAVE WHITE

CONCERT CALENDAR

Jay Brannan

Performs “Soda Shop” from John Cameron Mitchell's Shortbus. Troubadour. Fri., Jan. 17. 8 p.m. $15. www.troubadour.com.

L.A. Guns

Formed in Los Angeles in 1983 and continuing on today, reigniting the glam metal scene. Whisky A Go-Go. Sat., Jan. 19. 11:30 p.m. $16. www.ticketmaster.com.

The Bravery

Follows 2005's hit An Honest Mistake and a second album with the indie punk rock group's new tour. House of Blues Anaheim. Tues., Jan. 29. 7 p.m. $15. www.hob.com.

Ryan Adams

(below) is best known for his hit song, “New York, New York,” and brings his prolific brand of alternative rock to L.A. Royce Hall-UCLA. Wed., Jan. 30-31. 7 p.m. $34.50-$38.50. www.ticketmaster.com.

Homo Must

The Dream Brothers

Debuts Full of Life Now; Love Songs of Walt Whitman, which captures the unbridled man-to-man love that Whitman often wrote about, often hidden by other composers. UCLA's Northwest Campus Auditorium. Wed., Jan. 30. 7:30 p.m. Free. Sponsored by the UCLA LGBT Resource Center. 310/206-3628.