In Brief

* * Bryan Ferry, “Taxi,” Reprise. Somewhere between David Bowie’s “Pin Ups” and John Lennon’s “Rock ‘N’ Roll” in theory but nowhere near either one in execution, “Taxi” is Ferry’s third tribute to songs by other artists. All are given the standard Ferry treatment, ultra-suave, ultra-sexy vocals limned by arrangements and production that ultimately fall victim to their own affectation: Ferry is so cool his music comes off as ice cold.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four stars (excellent).