Embryonic
The experimental rockers make like mad scientists on their latest, a trippy, spacey journey that meanders over 70 minutes but offers some interesting layers of noise along the way.
BRANDI CARLILE
Give Up the Ghost
On her third album, this singer-songwriter really possesses you with her haunting vocals on songs such as the ballad "Before It Breaks."
FIVE FOR FIGHTING
Slice
This is another solid effort from John Ondrasik's one-man band. The singer-songwriter, though, fails to deliver any true knockouts with his piano pop.
GOSSIP
Music for Men
With lesbian frontwoman Beth Ditto, this dance-punk trio packs some real femme force. But they give it up for the boys on the gay anthem "Men in Love."
