It's his understanding of the niche he's carved for himself--a love affair with darkness and sludgy rock braced with stripper-worthy blues rhythms--that makes his continued output worthwhile.

The uplifting set includes takes on lost gospel and blues numbers as well as reworkings of Bob Dylan's "Shot of Love," John Lennon's "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama" (featuring guitarist Doyle Bramhall II) and Prince's "Walk Don't Walk."

Throughout Can't Be Tamed Cyrus seems checked out of her vocal performances, singing with neither the tween-queen enthusiasm of her Hannah Montana material nor the confrontational energy of 2008's Breakout.

While not every track is a slam-dunk, Gray definitely recaptures her earlier promise.

Leave it to Em to continue confounding expectations this late in the game.

There's nothing here that even the Chems themselves haven't done before, but that doesn't make the sensory thrills any less giddy.

The shimmery guitars and thundering rhythms of album closer "What Remains" show that the group does best when sticking to its own math rock genre

On her fifth album, Body Talk Pt. 1, Swedish electro-pop singer Robyn proves she's ready for the dancefloor.

The group spit-shines its soundtrack for working-class America.

It's not news that these guys rock, but on their first new album in eight years the Heartbreakers have their Mojo working like they never have before-which is a fine thing indeed.

Toronto MC Drake has said that he wants fans to feel the different layers of his debut, Thank Me Later. From the sounds of it, he's held little back, sharing with listeners his deepest thoughts on family, women, and fame.

Rock act We Are Scientists typically has a good sense of what hits, but on its latest album, Barbara, the band begins to figure out what misses.

Cuts like the mournful "Forgiveness" and the mello "U Want Me 2" (the latter previously featured on MCLachlan's 2008 hits collection) cook at a decidely lower temperature that long time fans will find plenty hot. However, their quieter pace might leave others a little cold.

While's new band Punch Brothers is building a case for bigger fame with the release of its second album, Antifogmatic.

With its Motown feel, the title track finds singer Elizabeth "Z" Berg crooning about love gone wrong ("I wish you knew I'm not the one for you/You're not the one I need/And I can't stand you") over a harmonized chorus of "ooh's" from her female bandmates, but the vocals don't go down as smoothly as the Supremes. Meanwhile, it's on the standout cut "I Can See It in Your Eyes" where Berg settles into her most comfortable range and the group does its most believable impression of the Animals.

Original Santana percussionist Michael Carabello and Checkmates singer Sonny Charles (now a member of the Steve Miller Band) fortify the performances, while longtime Miller fans will also soak in some of the last recordings by the late harmonica ace Norton Buffalo.

Two years and an overabundance of hype later, producer Ethan Kath and singer Alice Glass return with another self-titled set that corrects all of their debut's miscues and remains eye-popping from beginning to end.

While its recent recordings have reflected a more subdued approach in the studio, band members Norman Blake, Gerard Love and Raymond McGinley never lose their knack for composing concise pop gems.

The group's poppy guitars and thick, layered vocal harmonies occasionally improve upon some selections of the vastly diverse material.

Because she's bold enough to do it her way, Aguilera maintains her reign.

Mostly known for delivering folk-punk anthems, Against Me! delivers a no-fuss rock collection with its latest release.

Blitzen Trapper again channels a variety of sounds from the '60s through the '80s to meld its own genre on its latest release.

The Black Dirt Sessions delivers even more grit and lyrical heaviness than its predecessors, revealing a desperate, wayworn side to McCauley's songwriting.

While expanding on what it's done well, the group doesn't cease to be adventurous on LP4.

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals' new self-titled release finds frontwoman Potter and her band in full bloom, hammering out hook-heavy rock tracks with a confident, natural sound.

Brooklyn duo Sleigh Bells is loud, raucous and unapologetic. Members Alexis Krauss (vocals) and Derek Miller (guitarist/programmer) prove it on debut album Treats.

With lyrical themes of global economic distress and romantic bliss, British pop-punk band the Futureheads bring a more refined sound to its fourth album.

On his second album, Rokstarr, British pop-soul artist Taio Cruz croons about the highs and lows of love over a wide variety of electronic-influenced beats.