Here's a look at five recently released CDs that caught the eye of Spectator music editor Graham Rockingham (grockingham@thespec.com, 905-526-3331)

Emmylou Harris

All I Intended To Be

Nonesuch/Warner

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This is an album that doesn't grip until the third track, Emmylou's self-penned traditional country croak, Broken Man's Lament. Then it all makes sense. Only Emmylou could turn diesel engines and crescent engines into things of beauty. Standouts include her take on Merle Haggard's Kern River and her collaboration with the McGarrigle sisters on Sailing Round The Room.

Matt Mays and El Torpedo

Terminal Romance

Sonic/Warner

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On his fourth album, Matt Mays continues to wear his Tom Petty/Bob Dylan/Crazy Horse influences on his sleeve. And he wears them well. This is Mays' most complete (and slickest) album by far. Hopefully it will elevate him to the top of Canada's guitar-rock heap. The anthemic title track and the first single, Tall Trees, prove the gritty Halifax rocker's move to New York City has served him well.

John Mayer

Where The Light Is (Live in Los Angeles)

Columbia

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With his second live album in three years, John Mayer is desperately trying to prove he's not just another pretty face. We already knew he was a brilliant songwriter and his 2005 Trio Live album showed he could jam out with the best. So why do we need 22 more live tracks? Mayer spends most of this album mimicking Stevie Ray Vaughan mimicking Jimi Hendrix. And the "I dig love" rant in the middle of Bold As Love is simply embarrassing.

Jakob Dylan

Seeing Things

Columbia/Sony/BMG

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On his first solo album, you'd think the "Son Of Bob" would sound a lot like the old man. But, no, this sounds more like an old Bruce Cockburn record. Which is not a bad thing to sound like, at all. Stripped down to the bare essentials by producer Rick Rubin, Seeing Things has a campfire sound to it. All that brooding gets a little boring after awhile, though.

Gavin Rossdale

Wanderlust

Interscope/Universal

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Uber-earnest radio rock from the former front man of Bush. Formulaic power chords and goopy, synthetic lyrics (how can anyone seriously record a song these days called Forever May You Run?). Not even mega-producer Bob Rock (Metallica/Motley Crue) could save this turkey. Rossdale is probably best known now for being married to Gwen Stefani and so he shall remain.