R&B

Mary J. Blige, "The London Sessions"(Capitol)

The balance on the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul's recent albums was leaning too hip-hop, too sleek and too clever. Sure, she had declared "No More Drama," but pain (and the triumph over it) was an essential part of Blige's story. On "The London Sessions" she returns to it, with help from some of Great Britain's hottest singer-songwriters and producers, many of whom Blige's early work influenced.

This album opens with "Therapy" — a gospel spiritual cowritten with Sam Smith and Adele collaborator Eg White about the power of counseling. It's a sign of the power of "The London Sessions" that it opens with four ballads, including the stunning, esteem-building "Doubt," without losing momentum. In fact, the most memorable moment on the album is "Whole Damn Year," cowritten with Emeli Sandé. However, it's in the dance songs that Blige makes her great leap forward. On "Pick Me Up," she rides Naughty Boy's updated house music groove with grand results. Her current single, "Right Now," produced by Disclosure, shows why she retains her throne.

Glenn Gamboa, Newsday

POP/ROCK

AC/DC, "Rock or Bust" (Columbia)

This album is sports bar music of the gods, the top shelf of cheap beer. There's nothing you haven't heard before in its 11 new songs. What's important is that they have the band's traceable fingerprints all over them.

The lyrics run in basic celebration mode — rocking in bars ("Rock the Blues Away"), rocking on the road ("Got Some Rock 'n' Roll Thunder"), rocking onstage ("Rock or Bust"), rocking in bed ("Miss Adventure"). They aren't witty, even when their double entendres look in the direction of wit. There is a great sameness to it all: the medium-tempo rhythm section grooves, the limited range and phrasing in Brian Johnson's screeching vocals, the guitar riffs of Angus Young and his nephew Stevie. No putting on airs here. This is a functional record to be listened to in isolated segments to accompany male bonding.

In 35 minutes, it quickens the hearing. There are no big ideas, no interruptions, no provocations. This record is content alone.

Only the news media can make it more than that; Stevie Young has replaced Malcolm Young, Angus' brother, who dropped out of the band last spring, citing the onset of dementia. And the band's drummer, Phil Rudd, recently has been charged in New Zealand with possession of drugs and threatening murder.

BEN RATLIFF, New York Times