Relish Spins

Bon Jovi

The Circle

Label: Island

If you like: Jersey Jon

Song to download: "When We Were Beautiful"

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

In short, Bon Jovi is back!

The Circle is the followup to 2007's wildly successful but country-fried Lost Highway, which was a jarring sonic detour for the heroes of the New Jersey Turnpike. Thankfully, Jon Bon Jovi & Co. are keeping the faith with the still-developing but oh-so-recognizable sound that has been the band's trademark.

"We Weren't Born To Follow," the fist-pumping anthem that kicks off the disc, could have been right at home on Slippery When Wet or New Jersey, with its timeless hooks and punchy beat.

They really do come full circle on "Work For The Working Man," which just as easily could have been titled "Livin' On A Prayer II," from the foundation bass riff that's almost identical to that of Bon Jovi's biggest-ever hit, to the dignified struggle of the little guy against tremendous odds. (At least they didn't bring back Tommy and Gina again.)

"Bullet" has a little of the "Hey God" anger and angst, asking the Almighty if he has "just given up" in the face of so much evil in the world.

"When We Were Beautiful" is about trying to regain lost innocence and simplicity. It sounds like it can apply to the world, or to the band itself.

A rejuvenated Richie Sambora makes his presence known here more strongly than on his last few albums, with more intricate and longer solos.

Throughout it all, "Hell yeah!" has replaced "Hee Haw." And as they say in New Jersey, that's a good thing, capece?

--- Wayne Parry / The Associated Press

Ryan Leslie

Transition

Label: Universal Motown

If you like: Futuristic R&B

Song to download: "Zodiac"

Nine months after putting out his debut CD to underwhelming response, Ryan Leslie is back, this time with Transition.

The transition doesn't refer to his music. Instead, Leslie says his sophomore disc was inspired by "a summer of secret love." After that fling ended, the result became Transition, an 11-track set full of futuristic R&B tunes that finds the 31-year-old crooner sweet-talking his sweet hopeful.

"I just want a girl that still looks good with no makeup," he sings on the opening track, "Never Gonna Break Up," promising to never break up if he found the one.

Leslie's outpouring of his summer love is enjoyable at times, but the CD's problem is its sound -- vocally, lyrically and sonically. Like Leslie's self-titled debut, released in February, it sounds too generic.

Leslie, who wrote, produced and programmed the entire album, should try working with producers aside from himself.

--- Mesfin Fekadu / The Associated Press

Various

Glee: The Music, Volume 1

Label: Columbia

If you like: Eclectic covers

Song to download: "Dancing With Myself"

Fans of Fox's irreverent musical comedy Glee will love this soundtrack, which includes 17 songs from the show about a high-school glee club performed by its cast.

They'll remember cute teacher Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) pop-locking as he raps on Kanye West's "Gold Digger," feel self-centered star Rachel Berry's (Lea Michele) heartache as she sings into a hairbrush on Rihanna's "Take a Bow" and picture the fast-paced routine led by cheer captain Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron) to the Supremes' "Keep Me Hanging On."

Though the vocal performances are top-notch, those unfamiliar with Glee may prefer the originals to the cover versions on the soundtrack. But the album's eclectic mix of songs has its own appeal: Where else would you find a mix tape that includes tracks from Neil Diamond, Young MC, REO Speedwagon and Cabaret?

--- Sandy Cohen / The Associated Press

Melanie Fiona

The Bridge

Label: Universal Motown

If you like: Anjulie

Song to download: "You Stop My Heart"

Melanie Fiona's debut CD is an impressive mix of tracks that presents the many sides of the woman.

The Bridge finds the 26-year-old newcomer begging her man to stay put on the uptempo "Please Don't Go (Cry Baby)," leaving her lover behind on the impeccable "Monday Morning," and demanding her partner treat her the right way between the sheets on the groovy first single, "Give It to Me Right."

Though eight of the 12 tracks use samples -- Fiona borrows from The Zombies, Martha & the Vandellas, the Rhine Oaks, Johnnie Taylor, Janet Kay and the Softones -- she proves she can hold her own on the other songs.

Fiona's husky, but soothing voice is top-notch on the drum-filled "You Stop My Heart." The passionate tune may stop your heart, too.

Fiona, like newcomer Anjulie, has provided one of the best debut albums this year. The two are also Canadian-raised, Guyanese-bred singers. Must be something in the water.

--- Mesfin Fekadu / The Associated Press