It's trim rather than hurried, does not waste a note and, because of that, may be the best of Vega's seven studio albums.

With help from A-list guest stars (T-Pain, Robin Thicke) and producers (Kanye West, Swizz Beatz), Lil Wayne backs up the boasts [of "best rapper alive"] on the oft-delayed Tha Carter III.

The band too rarely steps out of its dream pop mode to actually move the listener.

Oldham's songwriting is top-notch as usual, his melancholy lyrics in perfect balance with the accompanying music.

Tango remains the constant for Bajofondo, but the 17 tracks offer quite a few variations on a theme.

Beyond merely blowing with avant-tinged, Coltrane-inspired tenor gusto, Lovano employs multiple strategies on several reeds, setting up melodic motifs, rhythmic start-and-stop phrases and playful dance-like romps.

Todd Snider relates his hilariously heartbreaking hard-luck tales with a deadpan sing-speak delivery while superproducer Don Was gives the scrappy bar-band arrangements a glimmer of studio-pro warmth.

While the batch he's cooked up on his the latest LP... stays true to the songwriting formula that has gained him over a decade of accolades, "Bright Ideas" does, in fact, find McCaughan at his most sonically expansive to date.

The inspiring combination lifts the album far beyond tribute material into sonic territory all its own.

Sweeping violins and take-no-prisoners guitars co-exist in producer Tony Visconti's gorgeous glam frame for Escovedo's visionary sound.

A fine, quirky entrance that hints at a band poised for bigger things down the road.

This mash-up, Beatles style, is cool stuff indeed, but is even more dazzling live onstage. [25 Nov 2006]

A daring yet accessible disc.

Curtis Mayfield would be proud of both lyrics and her throwback sound.

A gorgeous collection of intensely quiet songs filled with lush harmonies and haunting sonic atmospherics.... rarely has the group sounded better.

Brighter Than Creation's Dark is one of the meanest, leanest 19-track albums you'll ever spin.

"Light" is considerably harder-edged and less accessible than the poppier tunes of their fellow Canucks, incorporating bits of soul, blues, punk, noise and even avant-jazz, in dizzyingly fresh ways.

Though its novelty diminishes more with each listen (with the first being the freshest, most energetic romp of them all), "Bang Bang Rock & Roll" still stubbornly continues to amuse.

It may not pick up many new fans or even appeal to those beyond Cave's core audience, but these guys sound like they're having too much fun to care. [14 Apr 2007]

The-Dream has definitely bypassed the sophomore slump with "Love Vs. Money." The songwriter-cum-singer pushes the envelope production-wise (incorporating more of his Prince influences, among others) as well as lyrically.

The band's evolution is not without growing pains, but the balancing act of appealing to core fans while reaching for something more is mostly successful. [8 Oct 2005]

Sugarland's third album, finely crafted with producer Byron Gallimore, is proof positive that singer/songwriters Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush are on the cusp of superstardom.

On his sophomore album, the Washington, D.C., native offers a flawless blend of serene, soulful music with emotion-filled lyrics about his love, respect and appreciation for women.

The "Gangster" portion of the record is, as you'd expect, effortlessly strong.

It is some of Fagen's finest work to date.

Consumed in a busy lounge or with a pair of headphones, this set is a safe bet for any listener.

A disc of graceful beauty.

A remarkable debut by a band full of raw energy. [25 Feb 2006]