New from John Legend, Ry Cooder and more

John Legend, Evolver, 4 out of 5

There are a raft of guest stars on Evolver, John Legend's follow-up to 2006's Once Again.

Fortunately, Legend's own considerable talents form the foundation for these 13 songs, which don't really need any additional boost from A-listers such as Kanye West, OutKast's Andre 3000 and Brandy.

In an era of histrionic American Idol types, Legend is one of the rare singers willing to approach his work with restraint. That easy style is well suited to mid-tempo love songs such as "Everybody Knows," with its sweet melody that unfolds above a mannered rock beat and soft cushion of backing voices.

When Legend does collaborate, he has a knack for matching the visitors with material. Andre 3000's rap lends a nice edge to the ultra-cool dance groove of "Green Light," while West provides a more boisterous presence in the sassy yet slick "It's Over." Brandy injects some nice harmonies on "Quickly."

On the album's second half, Legend goes it alone on songs such as the majestic piano ballad "This Time," the lilting "Take Me Away" and others. Despite the occasional bump, such as the repetitive, uninviting hook in "Satisfaction," Legend shows that he is still a master of pretty, gently delivered R&B. When it comes to that, he doesn't need any help.

Ry Cooder, The UFO Has Landed, 5 out of 5

God bless the archivist assigned to pin down the eclectic contributions of Ry Cooder.

After all, Cooder's four-decade career spans early blues and roots music to film soundtracks to Buena Vista Social Club to recent genre-benders such as My Name is Buddy (2007) and the new I, Flathead. It's a lot of ground to cover.

Produced by Cooder's son and collaborator, Joachim, The UFO Has Landed admirably blends old and new in a two-disc, 34-song collection. There's only one unreleased track, a version of "Let's Work Together" with Buckwheat Zydeco, but the collective effect is still stunning and enlightening.

It's an astounding reminder of Cooder's flawless touch with slide guitar, as well as his sense of humor and understanding of good music from Woody Guthrie to Flaco Jimenez. God bless this UFO.

School of Seven Bells, Alpinisms, 3 out of 5

Alpinism is defined as the "art of climbing mountains," and there's a similar lofty aspiration at work in these 11 songs.

Supposedly, the members of School of Seven Bells--Benjamin Curtis (Secret Machines) and sisters Claudia and Alejandra Deheza (On!Air!Library!)--have packed the songs with secret messages between imaginary characters. The band's name, by the way, comes from a mythical South American pickpocket academy, which may or may not exist.

That's too deep for me, but songs such as the opening "Iamundernodisguise" and "Face to Face on High Places" showcase a captivating combination of shimmering psychedelic hooks, icy laptop beats and noise reminiscent of a more mannered My Bloody Valentine.

Although there's softness to some of the tracks, School of Seven Bells is capable of indulging its more raucous side, as it does on "Wired for Light."

Yet even in such moments, the rock tendencies are layered into a bed of dance-worthy beats and electronic weirdness that makes it lofty indeed.