• POP

JACKSON BROWNE

Time the Conqueror

Inside Recordings

***

It would seem unfathomable but Jackson Browne, a left-wing activist who is suing Republican Sen. John McCain for using his song Running On Empty in his presidential campaign, once thrived musically under Republican administrations. His finest, most eloquent albums -- Late for the Sky (1974) and The Pretender (1976) -- were released during the Ford administration.

But during the Reagan era, Browne's albums abruptly shifted the focus from poetic, interpersonal introspection to political diatribes scolding American policy domestic and abroad. His fan base dwindled and his melodies failed him as he became more strident. I'm Alive in 1993 was a welcome return to relationship-based material but his two studio albums since then have been forgettable.

On Timethe Conqueror, Browne, 59, has reclaimed some of the musical grace of his best '70s work despite mixing political commentary (the Bush administration-bashing The Drums of War) with personal songs like the winsome Giving That Heaven Away. The latter, with its cheery organ and pop hook, sounds of a piece with side two of 1980's Hold Out.

Only two songs keep Time the Conqueror from scaling Browne's top shelf: the idiotic Going Down to Cuba, a tune so insipid -- every woman in Cuba ''has gardenias in their hair'' he sings longingly -- it could offend. At nine minutes, the plodding Where Were You, echoes Browne's '80s missteps. Still, eight out of 10 keepers is admirable, especially as it comes this late in Browne's formidable career.

Pod Picks:Time the Conqueror, Off of Wonderland, The Drums of War.

-- HOWARD COHEN

PUSSYCAT DOLLS

Doll Domination

Interscope

** ½

Has it really been three years since the Pussycat Dolls sunk their manicured claws into feminists' jugulars worldwide with their strip-club-worthy hit Don't Cha? The girls are back with the aptly titled Doll Domination, 16 new songs tailor-made for the Top 40.

The first track and single, When I Grow Up, gets the proverbial Cristal flowing quickly with a lively beat and sleek, sexy vocals. Of course, the vapid chorus lets you know what you're in for over the rest of the album: ''When I grow up, I wanna be famous, I wanna be a star, I wanna be in movies/When I grow up, I wanna see the world, drive nice cars, I wanna have boobies.'' Don't cha wish your girlfriend was deep like them?

All cattiness aside, the Pussycat Dolls take what the Spice Girls started to a more lascivious and therefore club-worthy level -- they know what they really, really want, and exactly how to get it.

As on the Dolls' 2005 debut album, the girls employ high-wattage help: Snoop Dogg lends the monotonous yet hypnotic Bottle Pop some street cred, even giving his own hit Drop It Like It's Hot a shout-out; Missy Elliott adds a playful, grrrl-power rap to Whatcha Think About That ('If your dude ain't actin' right, you tell that dude he got to go''); and embattled R&B vet R. Kelly helps power the aching melody to Out of this Club.

Fans of previous hits Don't Cha, Stickwitu and Buttons have much to rejoice over, as these Dolls (including former Miami Heat Dancers leader Jessica Sutta) are born for pop-chart domination, all right.

Pod Picks: Bottle Pop, Out of this Club.

-- MICHAEL HAMERSLY

mhamersly@MiamiHerald.com

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