While it feels like they're still finding their way and discovering what they're capable of, it's clear there's potential for greatness and longevity.

Highlights the band at its most exploratory.

And though she may be running in place lyrically, her melodies have never been keener and her vocals grow richer and more confident with each release.

Beggar Boys may not change anyone's view of the band, but it is another strong outing in what is turning into a pretty consistent body of work.

An invigorating mix of spacey dub, seventies funk, eighties big-beat electro, old school hip-hop and even early Prince, Father Divine is Ladd's most lyrically accessible and sonically enjoyable album to date.

They are a lot more inspired-sounding than many of their more contemporary-sounding colleagues.

A shot of raw psych rock that's as adventurous as it is accessible.

For pure intensity and soul, Damage is now THE album in the Blues Explosion catalog, and essential listening at that.

Zilla delivers a cleverly orchestrated junket of joyful raucousness and synth whirls.

More hypnotically dark gems.

Nothing's Lost is heavier, denser and in its best moments, verges on pop nirvana.

It's all Around You isn't their best -- or most challenging -- work, but it's a sign the band is still making music in a bubble.

In a way CVB's New Roman Times is on par career-wise with Rush's 2112 - well, minus the klezmer anyway.

When layers of choir-boy vocals are added to the group's singing ("Hun Joro"), when feeble, naturalistic sounds are used in questing improvisations ("Sigur Ros"), or when acoustic instruments coalesce with a swath of electronics ("Dogun"), you'll find your jaw on the floor, too, stunned as ever.

The compilation will not alter your opinions of Lali Puna. But between the new material and older cuts previously scattered across numerous singles and compilations,I Thought I Was Over That is something fans old and new will want to have around.

The music is as soothing as a lullaby and as challenging as a modern art exhibit.

Occasionally, Memphis' songs coast on an attractive soundscape rather than going for a compositional or lyrical knockout punch. Nevertheless, I Dreamed we Fell Apart is often quite beguiling.

Throughout, Doe strikes just the right balance. He's confident but not arrogant; laid back, yet full of vitality.

Like the band's first two albums, Winchester Cathedral is solid. But also like its predecessors, the album suffers from the "Hey, didn't I already hear this song?" syndrome.

fulfilled/complete is thoroughly compelling, until it reaches its closer, "The Dream," and becomes urgent, essential listening.

That Kinski succeeds at knocking you over with noise on one album and then killing with you silence on the next is something to marvel at.

Phantom Planet, although obviously representing a group still searching for its sonic niche, nonetheless manages to entertain, perhaps proving there can be life after "California."

A solid collection of the most talked-about bands in the New York underground.

The found sounds on Digital Ash can seem an affected and unnecessary embellishment in certain places.... But in other places they work.

A gorgeous, shimmering 40 minutes of music - a sonic road trip through parts unknown.

Ima Robot mines the dark recesses of metal, glam, new wave and electro, meshing its findings without a stitch to produce memorable choruses that stick in your head long after they're gone.

A disarmingly beautiful album.

It's a bit of a disappointment considering the rich subject matter, though Trans Am prove themselves once again masters of their own oblique domain.