A non-stop industrialized assault that combines grinding guitars, shrill synths, with pulsating bass and drum lines and vein-popping vocals. The 13-track set drives without relent from song to song, leaving listeners spent like a good workout.

In a sea of trend-conscious releases, "Breach" will wash over the senses like a cool, refreshing breeze. Although it's a completely contemporary and competitive entry into today's market, you won't find even the tiniest musical element that will render this set irrelevant or outdated in 10 years.

The peerless BBC archive continues to yield heaven-sent live performances, and none is more enjoyable than this two-disc set surveying David Bowie's early appearances on the British network.

The always brash, often emotionally affecting Williams displays marked growth as a lyricist, zapping tunes like the fiery first single "Rock DJ" with enough clever twists to make the mind happily reel.

A wonderfully offbeat blend of atmospheric folk and lo-fi rock that never fails to charm.... One of the year's most well-rounded and consistently satisfying albums.

"Kid A" immerses listeners in an ocean of unparalleled musical depth. It is, without question, the first truly groundbreaking album of the 21st century.

The California-based trio continues its exploration of more straight-ahead rock and pop with surprisingly strong results.

TSAC have spun their most lush and intricately produced long-player yet.... "Oui" wisely bumps the electronics to secondary status, giving the album a much more unified, live band feel missing from "The Fawn".... One of this year's most enjoyable albums.

In all, a fine effort...

The former Police guitar whiz surpasses himself with this survey of Charles Mingus as he gives the great man's compositions an utterly individual spin.

In signature Björk fashion, the songs are emotionally intense, beautifully orchestrated, sensually sweet, and wickedly exotic.

Barenaked Ladies play it straight with mixed results...

A mostly mainstream pop album with Latin inflections.

To be sure, Osborne proves again she has a wonderfully rich, sensual, and powerful voice that commands respect. But besides a winning cover of Bob Dylan's "To Make You Feel My Love," she chooses to showcase it among mostly flat and/or generic arrangements.

Fun, thoughtful, and dynamic-

Although it doesn't always work as a whole, this adventurous collection echoes Jones' catalog thematically and musically...

This time there's less gimmickry, more sympathy for the words and melodies. Harris... has crafted 11 profound, graceful poems that rank with the best songs she's ever recorded.

An anything-but-predictable collection of songs.

Despite being assembled from such an array of concerts, the album brilliantly captures the continuity of a live performance.

[Tom Tom Club] come this close to surpassing the raw energy, vibrant power, and rhythm-fresh approach of their now-classic eponymous debut.

A melancholy gem of gorgeous, whispery folk and delicate countrified rock.

The album's simple, pleasing blend of acoustic guitar-based folk music belies the complex nature of her lyrics, and it's a winning combination.

On "The Mirror Conspiracy," the duo fine-tunes its deft merging of all things dub, electronica, and bossa nova, creating sweet and savory tracks...

Although not as cohesive as Jean's "Carnival," "The Ecleftic" spins a compelling tale of a hip-hop superstar who defies convention.

Another satisfying collection of quick, riff-happy new wave/punk rock that, while no match for its first album, was nonetheless worth the wait.

LL... seems to have regained the fire that was sorely missing from his previous release, "Phenomenon."

The Maels continue flexing their musical might. Tracks like "More Than A Sex Machine," "The Calm Before The Storm," and the eye-winking title track are just waiting to be embraced by dancefloors worldwide.

Unified Theory -- while recalling the sounds of such bands as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Rush -- offers up a bold and psychedelic modern rock set.