It's his easiest, least labored sounding record in years, still lushly produced yet not overly fussy.

A mongrel that rewards repeated spins with an understanding of Branan's many influences and an appreciation for his largely impressionistic, thought- provoking words.

Despite her solo catalog, Hogan has hidden in the shadows too long; this stunning set shows she's ready for the spotlight.

Neil Young and Crazy Horse, when they're at the top of their game like they are here, can make music of any origin rock.

Born and Raised a prime example of the John Mayer paradox--it's good enough to satisfy even his most casual fans, but the old-school Mayerisms that remain will only anger his detractors.

Fleet Foxes producer/engineer/mixer Phil Ek warms up the band's previously chilly sound to yield arguably their best, and certainly most accomplished album yet.

The singer is in fine voice and seems inspired by this outlaw move to revive the time-honored music he loved when he first hit Nashville as an impressionistic kid in 1972.

Early Takes Volume 1 might just be the ultimate George Harrison compilation because it pays such respect to that voice in terms of how it sounded and what it had to say, reminding us just how much we miss hearing it today.

As an album, Valtari might not be the band's masterwork, but it very well could be their re-birth.

This set's downbeat musings about life's foibles is ominously compelling.

Even though Deer Tick's punky, yowling take on hillbilly country-rock is a close relative to Diamond Rugs' own sound, it's more of a first cousin than an identical twin, and the few songs that deviate from the Deer Tick template are some of the album's most enjoyable.

The Body Wins stands as something of a transitional work for Jaffe, but it's an impressive album for wherever her musical journey takes her.

While the set of songs on this album may not count among the best of McCartney's career, they definitely provide a pleasurable listen for both casual fans and ardent supporters alike.

It's hard to say whether Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros has hit their stride with Here, their second album--but it's safe to say that it brings forth just as much energy as the band's 2009 debut, Up From Below.

The veteran guitarist's 36th album is a predominantly instrumental set that tries too hard to do too much over its hour long length.

This 30 minute set [provides] a crazed, occasionally unhinged yet always riveting experience.

You'd be mistaken to pass up the greatest album of Loudon Wainwright III's four-decade career, and an easy frontrunner for this year's best album, period, as 2012 enters its second half.

Suffice it to say that unless you simply need to own everything Janis touched, this package is of negligible value. Newcomers will be better served by the 2005 edition with its powerful concert material showing how Joplin and the scrappy Full Tilt reinterpreted her earlier work.

The impact of Bloom lingers long after Scally's last guitar moan and Legrand's last breathy sigh, making you want to cue it up all over again and wallow anew in Beach House's existential abyss.

Offering up a populist mix of original compositions, covers of cowboy classics and contemporary songs in equal measure. This frequently ends up frustrating.

The songs are solid but the disc is greater than the sum of its parts as it congeals around Hubbard's confessional, often personal memories.

Don't let this sweet, fiery gem slip away.

While previous efforts seemed a bit unfocused and disseminated, Blown Away is more thematic and unified, resulting in Underwood's strongest effort to date, which easily leaves her previous releases twisting in the wind.

The musical leaps Punch Brothers takes are invigorating, sometimes breathtaking.

Mermaid Avenue project is essential for showing that Woody Guthrie could illuminate what was going on inside of him as well as he could detail the plight of his fellow man.

While the result doesn't justify the buildup, there is no doubt that frontwoman Brittany Howard is a major talent.

The punchy songs and spontaneous performances are contagious in their jittery energy.

Votolato's clear eyed honesty about what seems to be a crumbling long-term relationship as reflected in often nature inspired lyrics, is thought provoking, melancholy, remarkably personal and ultimately revealing of sober truths many have felt in the same situation.