Few musical performers who've crossed over to acting have ever gone back to music with any level of success, and none have achieved the level of artistic achievement in each realm as Mos Def has with this album.

Covering the first 10 years of Young's career from 1963 to 1972, "Archives Vol. 1" (the first of 5 decade-spanning box sets Young hopes to release) is chock full of rarities, out takes, and some of the most varied output from one of rock's most enduring and beguiling artists.

Grizzly Bear's modus operandi for "Veckatimest" seems to have been employing composition strategies and technology from all over the musical universe. In this way, they've created an album that is instantly familiar, undeniably catchy without surrendering to obvious, and still challenging — and a sound that belongs solely to them.

The boys of Phoenix have long been a band just on the cusp of breaking. With the release of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, the French foursome seems ready to build on the sparks of their earlier albums and grow to something riotous.

Erstwhile Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker returns with his second solo release, "Further Complications."

It's nice to see Bob continuing to deliver the goods late in the game. "Together Through Life" is a worthy addition to his already monumental body of work.

Eddie Argos and the gang are back with Art Brut's third album, "Art Brut vs. Satan."

"Sounds Of The Universe" is the 12th studio album from synth pioneers Depeche Mode -- their best since 1990's "Violator."

Metric holds a soft spot in my heart next to beer and grilled cheese sandwiches -- all things that I never get sick of.

I found "A New Tide" to be a pleasant listen. Who's to say they should be writing songs according to industry expectations?