New Albums

* Alison Moorer, “Miss Fortune,” Universal South. In her third solo album, this Alabama-bred singer steps away from her neo-traditionalist country music stance for a more pop-edged, radio-friendly approach, complete with lots of string-assisted gloss. Moorer’s soulful voice is not enough to make tunes like “Tumbling Down” and “Cold in California” appear unconventional. You get the feeling that her production team spent more time on the album’s musical design and lost track of the challenge of actually saying something.

Also:

Bowling for Soup, “Drunk Enough to Dance,” Jive

Gene, “Libertine,” iMUSIC

The Hangmen, “We’ve Got Blood on the Toes of Our Boots,” Acetate

Ray Manzarek and Darryl Read, “Freshly Dug,” Ozit Morpheus

Project Pat, “Layin’ da Smack Down,” Loud

Ray Makers, “Phantom Third Channel,” Transistor

Riddlin’ Kids, “Hurry Up and Wait,” Aware/Columbia

Jack Russell, “For You,” Knight

Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band, “King Biscuit Presents,” King Biscuit

Phil Vassar, “American Child,” Arista

Victoria Williams, “Sings Some Ol’ Songs,” DualTone