With Phrenology, the cool Philly troupe remain head and shoulders above the rest by sticking to their well-defined course of smoky live beats, serious lyrics, stunning guests... and not one ounce of production from the Neptunes.

You'll love it.

Conjures up an exotic, enchanting world populated with slide guitars, maracas, accordions, brass bands and late-night country crooning.

This is a fine final coda that's no tearjerker but a reminder of how much he matters right now.

Nostalgic without sounding outdated, it's one bash worth revisiting.

It's okay, you can believe all of the fawning reviews you're going to read about this album. Because when still-kicking '60s soul legend Solomon Burke puts his earthy baritone to lyrics written by some of today's most critically acclaimed songwriters, it's simply magical.

A lesson in subtlety, 10 songs of abstract musical impressions that foil today's connect-the-dots pop.

A dynamic piece of work.

If you haven't already pledged your allegiance to Radiohead, this isn't gonna turn you.

You'll be left wondering why other bands aren't so daring.

There are times when Conrad Keely's scabrous vocals are more grating than ingratiating, but this is mainly stunning stuff.

The band turns each song up to 11 and lets its rabid hometown fans provide thousand-strong backing vocals. It'll make you want to yell "Woooh!" too.

Shelve this one next to that Adam Sandler CD you haven't listened to in four years.

Combines Beach Boys harmonies, Pink Floyd-influenced orchestral rock and the lonely-heart vocal style of such '70s icons as Big Star and Neil Young.

Provides a mind-blowing nostalgic trip for those who grew up with these songs.

Songs like "First Night" and "You Can Make Him Like You" conjure up a bit of Springsteen, a bit of Westerberg and far more catchiness than they should rightfully be allowed.

Simply awesome.

Rich with melody and drama, even the band's experiments--like adapting King Crimson's "Moonchild" into the lush "M62 Song"--work.

All bluster and noise and no substance.

Unlike so many other cut-and-paste experiments, this actually sounds like music and not a clever science project.

Fans of the Icelandic wonder's more orchestral tunes might think there's something missing here. Well, unless they're too busy being totally blown away.

Indestructible feels a lot less dangerous than their previous discs.

Has a few more production touches than his past crackling work.

Veni Vidi Vicious literally explodes with frenetic guitar jangle and audacious hooks.

People will be Takk-ing about this truly amazing album for years to come.

A streamlined effort that's stylish, cool and has a sense of finality.

[The Crane Wife] not only matches past pop glories, in most cases, it tops them.

Her voice has grown huskier with age, the songs are barely there, and hip-hop producer Mike Elizondo doesn't have the delicate hand that's required to bring them to life.