Pyramid Electric Co. is a vast step forward for Molina. It provides ample evidence of his spiritual growth and shows him once again evolving as an artist.

Blacklisted proves that Case's musicianship has evolved alongside her songwriting skills.

Sturdier production and straightforward songwriting make a strong backbone for someone once lauded for his mysticism.

Ultimately, Woman King promises remarkable things to come for Iron and Wine, especially if Beam continues to expand his musical palette.

Throughout, there's little doubting Malkmus's charisma as a performer...

It's easily the least convincing album from the three Banhart's offered thus far.

Brings together the best parts of metal, hardcore punk-rock and dance-y post-punk for a sound that would be otherwise useless if it weren't for one thing: The boys got "it."

You aren't free after all, because once you've let the album in, you may never shake it off again.

Like all his best work, the whole of The Rising is better than the sum of its individual songs.

In one instant, lead singer Jordan Blilie is whispering passionately in your ear. In the next, he tears into your insides with growls so piercing you'd think he'd transformed into a savage beast.

They still retain a unique identity even as they plunder and explore more generic alt-rock themes, and their particular skill is in making this transformation seem logical and welcome.

It's no different from the formula that made Fatboy Slim and the Chemical Bores such big hits, but something's different this time around: Basement Jaxx have soul.

One of the most original-sounding albums in a long while.

Confield presents one of the purest approximations of "machine music" we've heard yet. It's profoundly unsettling, but that's half its beauty; it's a sonic Frankenstein that refuses to let its plug be pulled.

A dozen mini-masterpieces of crisp, multi-layered production and tight, jangly guitar, a cohesive but loose effort that recalls the warmth of summer even in the cold chill of a New York March.

Fleeting moments of genius flanked by sketchy songs... [and] curious, dense production burying Eitzel's amazing voice under layers of maudlin instrumentation.

Boy, is it a sprawling mess.

All you can really do is sit back and politely applaud.

Written with some basic, inviting rock structures, the album replaces the hyper energy and angst of older material with slowed-down, complex textures and delicate grooves -- but still rocks out intermittently.

Rather Ripped is what you'd expect from a Sonic Youth that's getting back to the cool rock 'n' roll sound they trademarked years ago, completed by a tagline of frenzied feedback and chiming guitars.

A very fine solo album indeed.

Band Red spins bouncy, raw, sloppy and slightly erratic punk that can stake a claim for carving out a jagged edge of its own, complete with loveable, contagious sing-along sounds.

This whole is a sum of 14 songs that adds up to an estimable artistic much, the kind of album worthy of nestling in for months.

Music of reassuring terror.

Over two CDs the music expands towards novel-like richness.

This is The Decemberists' strongest release to date, and proves that the group's unique thesaurus-rock has a bright future.

A rare, perfect instance of collaboration, where two distinct sets of talents merge into something larger than its parts.

For all it lacks in the pop-song department, it's not a bad pop record.