Minor flaws aside, these Jersey boys have paid a tribute to their neighboring city befitting that famous New York attitude.

Aggressive yet soulful, "War" doesn't just straddle the line between rock and electronica—it destroys it.

A non-stop industrialized assault that combines grinding guitars, shrill synths, with pulsating bass and drum lines and vein-popping vocals. The 13-track set drives without relent from song to song, leaving listeners spent like a good workout.

While there's not necessarily a bad song to be found, Gough is capable of much more than the pretty yet bland compositions that dominate "One Plus One."

But as opposed to Blink, which powers straight ahead with scatological juvenility, the Offspring bridges punk with change-ups of metal and traditional rock and brings a more sarcastic wit to its observations of male teen angst.

Stone remains impressive as a vocalist, an old-school soul with an understated delivery that's more hushed than histrionic.

It's all a testament to the durable Eagles footprint on the pop landscape.

The acronym that forms the title of their latest stands for "The Energy Never Dies," and they more than make good on that promise, blasting through 15 high-powered rave-rap jams that rarely lack for melodic hooks or rhythmic thrust.

Slower paced and more atmospheric than any of its predecessors, "Dusk" is an ambitious showcase of maturity.

There aren't enough original ideas here to know if Rooney can shine as a relevant, modern rock band.

Dedicated fans will be pleased with the results.

On his sophomore album--the follow-up to 2003's slow-building platinum smash "Chariot"--Gavin DeGraw deftly weaves together rock, pop and soul influences without letting the seams show.

The five Brits waste their major talents on midtempo songs like "Everyday" and "Four Letter Word."

Primarily lackluster.

The melodies aren't always there, and the restrained production makes for an occasionally nagging sense of meandering. [3 Mar 2007]

He talks about the fire he used to possess without rekindling those flames.

Exudes a sense of immediacy and echoes the group's tight live show.

Kenny Chesney does heroes George Strait and Jimmy Buffett proud on his latest set, which has a free-and-easy feel befitting its island inspiration.

Their technically adventurous playing occasionally gathers some spooky steam, but this is definitely a fans-only affair.

Jason Mraz emerges even bolder than before on an album loaded with strings, horns, formidable grooves and a dozen songs dripping with mantra-like positivity.

On 'High Price,' where she takes her vocals to an opera-like pitch, and her collaboration with the-Dream, 'Lover's Things,' whose faint tenor would seem like an ideal match, Ciara seems to go almost unnoticed. Thankfully, 'Work,' featuring Missy Elliott, has Ciara showing fly-girl antics over a house-like, clap-laden production, and the breakup song 'Never Ever,' featuring Young Jeezy, which samples 'If You Don't Know Me by Now,' pick up the slack.

Despite hitmaker Linda Perry co-writing half of the album's original tracks, something is missing.

The music fails to gain any momentum until track seven, and by then, Train's lucky the listener's still spinning the CD.

He doesn't break any new lyrical ground, but Kelly's talent for penning original, infectious grooves remains intact.

A fairly paint-by-numbers affair.

A nice teaser to satiate fans between proper full-lengths.

While her first effort overall carried a darker, somber tone, "It's Me Again" finds a more self-satisfied and confident Tweet embarking on a new chapter in her life, one where her brightened outlook overrides the bad and moves forward.

Thanks to its humorous lyrics and relaxing beats, Songs About Girls is a diverse album that's perfect for that last beach day.