Sixties Concert Discs Capture James Brown In His Prime

This three-disc set remembers the Godfather of Soul in his prime, onstage at three 1968 concerts.

Neo-Soul Master D'Angelo Revisits Chiseled Heights

This stacked two-disc best-of hearkens back to D'Angelo's chiseled heights as a minimalist R&B master, when we were just putty awash in his gently plucked near-whisper of a croon.

Coldplay, With Brian Eno, Revolt Against Piano-Dudeness

The CD reaches the band’s trademark soaring melodic heights but with clever instrumentation, experimental production, and teamwork.

Lil Wayne’s Overdue Album Culmination of His Mix Tapes

After delays worthy of a municipal construction project, Tha Carter III is actually here. And it is everything we’d hoped it would be.

Song From the Wiser Side of Romantic-Existentialist Divide

The spirit of Sam Phillips’s sublimely resigned new album is summed up in the chorus to the first song: “No explanations / No more explanations.”

Pimp C Remembered With Album Worthy of UGK Legacy

Morose, accusatory, and nostalgic, II Trill is a heavy slab of Bun B’s psyche on wax.

Pop Cheeseball Jason Mraz Is Aging Very Well

But he's not Justin Timberlake, that onetime pop nerd turned smooth operator, either.

Free Nine Inch Nails Album: Fully Worth Download Time!

In the two days since NIN surprised us with yet another album—this one free to download, and with singing!—we’ve reconnected with Trent Reznor, dirty pop-song writer.

Buckshot and 9th Wonder Link Up For Riding Music

From the lighter-than-air choral flourishes garnishing the album’s intro to the sped-up soul strings driving the closing track, The Formula soars.

Steve Reich’s Latest Captures Tragedy and Reveals Life

Reich’s tribute to Daniel Pearl ranks among the composer’s most brooding and discordant work.

The Breeders Float On With Another Tour de Force

Integrity’s not something we’d wish on any band, but the Breeders wear it exceedingly well...

Chicha Libre: Brooklyn Meets Peru Via Flirty Funk

This veteran Brooklyn band, together for twenty years, have only just released their first studio album.

Counting Crows Split to Make One Renewed Whole

We love the quieter second half for capturing Adam Duritz’s sweetly escapist view of New York.

Zooey Deschanel’s Band Almost As Good As Her Acting

No Hipster Tyke-Rocker, Just the King of All Tyke Rock

Stephen Malkmus Conquers Prog-Rock, Calls It ‘Trash’

‘Living Bridge’: The Indie-Rock Compilation of the Year

Janet Jackson Hits the Dance — and Bedroom — Floor

Yelpy Pop Dudes Simple Plan Give a Go at Overblown Rock

Clipse’s Latest Mix Tape: Not Quite Classic, But Still Clipse