It's quite rare for a producer of dance music to make a foray into singing, but that's exactly what British electronic wunderkind James Blake has done on his self-titled debut LP.

If Brian Wilson wanted the Beach Boys' "Smile" to be a "teenage symphony to God," it may be that Sam Beam has managed to write such a symphony for grown-ups on the latest offering from Iron and Wine, "Kiss Each Other Clean."

With "The Party Ain't Over," Jackson's voice is still strong, soulful and gritty; but the music, too, is vibrant and provocative.

Content is the band's first new material in 16 years. The band has a sound of its own invention, featuring leftist lyrics set to a punky, funky, serious groove you can actually dance to. And not just slam dancing either!

Boys -- and particularly the heartbreak they've caused -- are the centerpiece of the new sophomore album from Adele, the 22-year-old British singer-songwriter and 2009 Best New Artist winner at the Grammys.

The King Is Dead will touch most people in the same ways: as a breezy, enjoyable album that cuts down on the details and focuses on the pleasurable aspects of music and life. This is a solid way to ring in 2011.

Upon the expiration of their agreement with XL Records, Tapes 'N Tapes were free to self-release Outside, their third full-length record, on their own independent label, Ibid Records.

The second volume of The Minnesota Beatles project features some of our favorite new and heritage acts of the local scene performing originally arranged compositions of their favorite Beatles songs.

Kanye doesn't hide behind his supernova persona; this album itself is a deeper look inside the dark corners of his twisted psyche.

When you start listening to "Sidewalks," the third full album from Brooklyn duo Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino, it feels like you're listening to a much larger band.