NEW MUSIC

AC/DC

Black Ice (Columbia Records)
****

On this first outing in eight years it takes about two tracks to conclude that AC/DC's Black Ice is their strongest, most solid effort since the mega-selling Back In Black from 1980, and it was so worth waiting for. This album boasts the same line up as Back In Black and, though “...the song remains the same...” (thank you, Zeppelin), it is obvious that these boys haven't lost one ounce of their bad-ass AC/DC energy over the years. Angus Young's bag of guitar riffs is bottomless as ever from first single “Rock'n'Roll Train” to the fist-pumping sing-along, “Big Jack.” One piece of advice, though: If you can't play this loud, don't bother playing it at all. Rock and roll, dude. —BOB WERNER

Department of Eagles

In Ear Park (4AD)
**1/2

Not a true side project, Department of Eagles still feels like an offshoot of Grizzly Bear, to which Daniel Rossen also belongs. The songs have the same woozy, wide-eyed-to-the-world feel, but the Eagles construct an insular, moody world. The standout track, “No One Does It Like You,” combines handclaps, a jaunty beat and a haunting vocal to create the feel of '60s pop gone goth—a perfect summary of the band's sound. The album can't quite sustain the high points that come early on, though “Balmy Night” sends it out on a beautifully abstract note. Anyone with a taste for orchestral, left-of-center pop, however, will find this worth the effort. —MIKEL WADEWITZ

Morel

The Death of the Paperboy (Tommy Boy)
***

This is a joyously schizophrenic record. For his second solo release, this Massachusetts denizen from the dance-world underground moves further into indie-rock soundscapes, with dance-centric remixes relegated to an additional disc. And it works. The 11 songs on disc one are first-rate rock tracks, especially the mid-tempo drone “Anymore, Anymore” and the erotic alt-ballad title track. Morel's voice is limited yet fine for these tunes—kind of like a subdued Gavin Rossdale. And the remixes reimagine the entire CD for the dance floor, with a slutty/sultry remake of David Bowie's “Sweet Thing” an unexpected, welcome surprise. —DAN LOUGHRY

Lucinda Williams

Little Honey (Lost Highway)
**

Like your Lucinda a little morose? Well, Little Honey may or may not go down so easy. It certainly rocks a lot more than her last couple of albums. But the standout punches of frenzied guitar on “Real Love” and the elegiac beauty of “Rarity” only go so far. The album is over an hour long, and the jarring bumps more numerous. Does one really need a song that's literally about the cliché of crying tears of joy (“Tears of Joy”) or a faux honky-tonk duet with Elvis Costello (“Jailhouse Tears”)? Little Honey certainly has its moments of truly inspired songwriting but, frustratingly, just as many of relative disinterest. —M.W.

CONCERT CALENDAR

TimPermanent

The recording artist newbie that created a buzz with his debut-recording launched entirely on USB jump drive, plays from his repertoire. Viper Room. Sat., Nov. 22. 8 p.m. $12. 310/358-1881; viperroom.com

Jake Simpson

Star Search grand champion and Oprah fav, Jake Simpson, plays at Mark’s every third Thursday, for a little affordable fun and music. Upright Cabaret at Mark’s Restaurant. Thu., Nov. 20. $10 main room, dinner required. uprightcabaret.com

k.d. lang

The Canadian-born Country crooner invites you to “An evening with k.d. lang” to celebrate a discography that spans more than two decades. Terrace Theater. Sat. Nov. 22. 8 p.m. $45-250. 562/436-3661; ticketmaster.com

Smashing Pumpkins

The alternative rock band hit the mainstream in the ’90s with Siamese Dream, more than 10 years later they return to La-La Land with the best from their discography.Gibson Amphitheatre. Tue., Dec. 2. 8:15 p.m. $39.50-89.50. 818/777-3931; ticketmaster.com

Homo Must

Craig Pomaranz

The out jazz-cabaret singer is back by popular demand offering cabaret/saloon singing at its best, performing classic standards and brand new material with his unique and compelling vocal style. The Gardenia. Wed., Nov. 19-Sat., Nov. 22. 7 p.m. $15. 323/467-7444; craigpomranz.com