Notorious bad boy Pete Doherty (Kate Moss's on-again, off-again beau) may have a messy reputation, but the Babyshambles leader sharpens up his act on the second album from his indie-rock band.
RISSI PALMER Rissi Palmer
With "Country Girl," this singer became the first African-American woman to hit the Billboard country singles chart in 20 years. The music on Palmer's first disc is not quite as noteworthy, but it's still likable enough.
NICOLE ATKINS Neptune City
Last year this singer-songwriter was tapped as one of Rolling Stone's 10 Artists to Watch. It's pretty easy to get why: Her full-length debut, which takes its title from her New Jersey hometown, delivers on torchy, twangy pop.
KY-MANI MARLEY Radio
Radio, with its concessions to hip-hop and contemporary R&B (including guest turns by rapper Young Buck and Mya), is clearly designed to get some crossover airplay for this Bob Marley scion. But much of it feels a bit too slick.
