Hozier's music is that of substance. On his self-titled release, he taps directly into the reality surrounding issues that matter, wraps it up in poignant lyrics, and delivers it in the smoothest sonic package you can imagine.

For her first album in four years, Lucinda Williams pulled out all the stops. 'Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone' is a sprawling collection featuring 20 songs, almost all written by Lucinda herself. She is one of the great songwriters of our time and an Americana legend.

Ryan Adams' new, self-titled album evokes that late '70s era when the recording of rock bands reached a sonic pinnacle unmatched in the ensuing decades. It sounds like 1979, and that's a compliment.

Jeff Tweedy is in a band. No, not that band; not that band, either. It's an outfit he recently launched with his son, Spencer Tweedy, and is appropriately named Tweedy. Sukierae is the project's first album, and it's our Album of the Week.

With a dearth of strong, mid-career, guitar-based bands around right now, it is good to have Interpol back -- refreshed and focused, making an album that more than adequately adds to their canon.

J. Mascis's second solo album, which he self-recorded and produced, showcases the range of Mascis's songwriting talents and sonic interests. Straightforward and catchy, 'Tied to a Star' is a solid and complete album from start to finish.

The New Pornographers' newest record, 'Brill Bruisers', is not only their newest entry into a fantastic musical catalog, but also the latest chapter in a continuing narrative of the personal dynamic of this very special band and its members.

Things have really taken off in the last several months for New Orleans rocker Benjamin Booker. He's been touring constantly, he's appeared on 'The Late Show' with David Letterman, and he just wrapped a few opening dates on Jack White's tour. He even found time to drop by The Current Studio for a session. All that, and he didn't even have an album out. Until now.

Morrissey is a man with high purpose, albeit one with the darkest of gallows humor. As usual in Morrissey's world, we get a real problem answered with melodrama. But wait. Isn't high art often just as melodramatic? Morrissey is indeed in league with the likes of operatic masters.

On their eighth album, Spoon's seamless grasp of joyous hooks shows no signs of slowing down. Frontman Britt Daniel's raspy voice continues to command the tight groove that's always at their core. The band didn't need a comeback, but they somehow made one anyway.