Entertainment

Smokin’ Willie on a country roll

Adam Lambert’s “Trespassing” gets help from Pharrell Williams, but sadly only on two tracks.

Adam Lambert’s “Trespassing” gets help from Pharrell Williams, but sadly only on two tracks. (Kristen Mullen)

From Willie Nelson singing with Snoop Dogg to Adam Lambert to a Baltimore dream-pop duo, here’s what you need to know about this week’s eclectic selection of music.

Lucky for us, Nelson goes back to his roots with “Heroes,” a traditional country disc — loaded with steel guitar and B-3 organ, as well as guest stars such as Merle Haggard, Billy Joe Shaver, Ray Price and Lukas Nelson (his son and vocal doppelganger).

At 79, the grizzled crooner keeps the dynamics shifting by including heart-melting love songs (“Just Breathe”), upbeat country classics such as “My Window Faces the South” and “Home in San Antone,” and his magical cover of Coldplay’s “The Scientist” from that Chipotle Super Bowl ad. But nothing makes us smile as much as “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die” with guest singers Jamey Johnson, Kris Kristofferson and Snoop Dogg, who doesn’t rap but sings, fitting nicely into this country party.

She has his looks and his voice — but, 35 years after her daddy’s death, neither do much to recommend Lisa Marie Presley and her third album, “Storm & Grace.” Despite an early flourish of Scotty Moore-style rockabilly guitar provided by producer T-Bone Burnett, the energy level is plodding and somber. Even songwriting contributions from Brit-pop luminaries such as Ed Harcourt, Richard Hawley of Pulp and Fran Healy of Travis fail to inspire the King’s daughter to match Burnett’s otherwise stellar backing tracks.

Adam Lambert and Pharrell Williams should spend more time together. Apparently, every time they drop into a studio, the two pump out thumping tracks that take advantage of the “Idol” hero’s over-the-top vocal style. Too bad they only shacked up for a few days on Lambert’s sophomore disc, “Trespassing.” Just two of the tracks — the title cut and “Kickin’ In” — were co-written with the Neptunes studio wiz. It’s the high-energy tunes that work best for Lambert, as on another standout, “Shady,” produced by frequent Shakira collaborator Lester Mendez. But every time he veers into maudlin R&B ballad territory, he gets lost, despite his claims that he “don’t need no GPS to tell me where to go.”

While we appreciate Carlos Santana and what he was four decades ago, as well as his 1999 resurgence with Rob Thomas on “Supernatural,” only hard-core fans will want Santana’s new instrumental album, “Shape Shifter.” It’s filled with his signature soaring guitar, twinkly Yanni-esque keyboards and massive drums — all fleshing out songs he’s been writing since 1997. You do have a sense of all the musicians actually playing, so perhaps that’s why some people are clamoring for it — the album is No. 2, behind Lambert’s, on Amazon’s preorder list.

For those who want more music from bands created this century, check out new albums by modern duos, including Beach House’s “Bloom,” and Best Coast’s charming “The Only Place.” “Bloom” features ethereal pop made in Baltimore by singer-organist Victoria Legrand and guitarist-keyboardist Alex Scally. The atmospheric synth sound, with soundscapes, such as waves and breezes, is perfect for strolling on a summer day, with the sun blinding your eyes. It’s like a more electronic Belle and Sebastian, with wistful songs that can be brutally honest.

Meanwhile, rockers Best Coast, from Los Angeles, could be the official soundtrack to HBO’s “Girls.” Singer-songwriter Bethany Cosentino, who sounds like a less adorkable Zooey Deschanel, joins multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno on tunes such as “No One Like You,” which asks, “If I sleep on the floor/Will it make you love me more?” And it’s not even that pathetic.