Music

Pay attention: He made a rock record this time.
by Steven Hyden

Random Rules: Jimmy Eat World
Philip Glass meets Nickelback, at last.
by Noel Murray

From The Archives

Gossip
Soulful punk band keeps buzz going with live album.
by Kyle Ryan

Awesome Color
Don’t call this trio the Three Stooges.
by Jason Heller

The Kooks
If this band name is accurate, weirdness is dead in Britain.
by Vadim Rizov

Animal Collective
Restless art-rock gods finds a newly weird and accessible voice on an EP worth scrounging.
by Andy Battaglia

No Age
Buzzing duo doesn’t quite muster its live energy on record.
by Aaron Burgess

Def Leppard
No "Mutt" = no fun.
by Aaron Burgess

Firewater
Anti-Bush anthems with a world beat.
by Vadim Rizov

Russian Circles
Chicago instrumental outfit gets stealthier with the rock
by Kyle Ryan

9th Wonder And Buckshot
Good production is dragged down by insufficient rhyming.
by Nathan Rabin

Madonna
Madonna steps out with Timbaland and Pharrell… and sounds strange.
by Andy Battaglia

The Roots
The Roots raise a middle finger to crossover success.
by Nathan Rabin

Portishead
Don’t call it a comeback. No, wait—do.
by Michaelangelo Matos

Atmosphere
The Minneapolis indie-rap duo opens up its approach on a great new disc.
by Christopher Bahn

Constantines
Some Canadian arena-punks put it all together perfectly.
by Steven Hyden

Santogold
A buzzed-about newcomer rides in on a wave of M.I.A. comparisons.
by Genevieve Koski

Jamie Lidell
A British R&B revivalist loses the drum machines and gains some soul.
by Joshua Alston

Neil Hamburger
The anti-comedian goes country.
by David Wolinsky