Dan Frazier

Proving that Sufjan isn't the only one who can utilize the charismatic power of sparseness through multiple instruments, Anathallo layer subtle crescendos of keys, percussions and horns under a cloud of choral croons.

The underlying themes may not drastically diverge from the author’s go-to subject matters (cultural identity, family issues) or personal experiences (fatherhood, divorce), and the characters’ perspectives may feel alien to anyone who hasn’t attended Hebrew school, the story thrives on Foer’s uncanny ability to cunningly fold the perceptual sets of multiple generations into a modern national epic.

Considering Erin McKeown’s fourth studio album in light of her previous work, she appears to have finally discovered the beauty of reins.

This nostalgic psych appeal proves ideal for impulsive summertime road trips; let Kinski furnish the soundtrack, you work out the plot and dialogue.

The Nashville teenagers known as Be Your Own Pet were labeled the potential saviors of (authentic) punk before they'd even had an album, much less a driver's license.

The Britpop bloc is hot and these blokes only toss more Molotovs into the hedges.

Shedding their pain-induced guitar licks and lyrics like a cottonmouth changes its skin, the Drive-By Truckers pick themselves up off the barroom floor with A Blessing and a Curse.

While the tunes sometimes stray into subtle acoustics, harmonicas and drawn-out steel guitar, the guitar pedals are always just one step away from loud boogie-woogie rock.

This album repetitively drives soulful yet haunting vocals over sludgy riffs while occasionally taking it down nice and slow.