Fleming's 'Heart' beats, and it can swing, too

Pop/rock: Renee Fleming, Haunted Heart (*** out of four) Fleming's latest foray into non-operatic territory finds the diva sounding more comfortable with pop, folk and soul textures. Making savvy use of the rich bottom of her lustrous soprano, Fleming delivers a warm, caressing medley of My One and Only Love and This Is Always and a bluesy take on Joni Mitchell's River, enhanced by pianist Fred Hersch and guitarist Bill Frisell's sterling accompaniment. Stevie Wonder's My Cherie Amour is more of a stretch, but an achingly lovely rendition of Stephen Foster's Hard Times Come Again No More confirms her dexterity and daring. -- Elysa Gardner

Gorillaz, Demon Days (***) A cartoon band of four street urchins, the winking vanity project cooked up by Blur's Damon Albarn turned into a credible electronic pop-rap phenomenon after its 2001 debut wowed critics and sold 6 million copies worldwide. ...