Though highly amusing, the bouts of empowerment on "Teaches" can grow monotonous, due to similar-sounding songs.

It's always sort of tough to rally behind an artist dissin' the music industry—I mean, how do you support someone who's living a rock star's life but still complaining, right? But Tom Petty makes it all too easy here, slyly balancing bitter references to modern-day payola, shifty execs, and even the struggles of artists over 40 with wistful imagery of rock'n'roll dreams.

She remains a monster vocalist just getting started.

Man vs. Machine is an intense set that never stops.

The disc makes so few concessions to current trends that it sounds like something dug up from a time capsule, in the best sense.

Beck has rarely performed with such maturity and confidence, breathing a rich, often haunting baritone into songs that seem to follow a plotline thread of despair after the end of a relationship.

The veteran artiste holds his ground on a collection that is sure to earn him the respect of not only his old fans but a new generation of listeners raised on sonic provocateurs like Beck, Nine Inch Nails, and Moby.

These tracks lack the magnetism of Miller's material with the band.

Showcases Nas' incredible talent as a lyricist and social commentator.

While, at times, Voyage to India seems a bit too preachy, Arie has a way of bringing everything together in a very palatable way.

Gold left many Adams fans listening in awe at the leaps and bounds by which he was growing as a songwriter. This record doesn't do that; and though that's just fine, it makes Demolition less diverse and ultimately less exciting.

The aptly titled "Now You Know" shouldn't be perceived as the end of Martsch's indie rock affiliation, but the sound of an artist delving deeper, and in doing so, hitting his stride.

Frontman David Draiman shows that he is an ample singer, refraining from the quirky vocal squallings that graced Sickness for a more straight-ahead croon.

All in all, "How Animals Move" is a slow-burning, understated gem that intrigues and engages in equal measure.

Night Works is dramatic and flirtatious, as well as warm and inviting.

"The Joy of Sing-Sing" is an aptly-titled delight aimed straight at alt-pop partisans.

The most potent and cohesive album of its career.

An album of stunning simplicity.

There's really no mainstream hip-hop record out there right now that's this diverse (touching on pop, R&B, and dance) and this much focused on producing meaningful, quality music.

A stronger, more distinctive album than its predecessor in nearly every respect.

Sonically rich, Lost in Space is home to some of Mann's most intimate storytelling.

Every song sparkles with a hook or lyrical element strong enough to permanently embed the brain upon impact.

One of the year's best.

While much of "Blacklisted" is hyper-stylized, suited for playing against the backdrop of psychedelic sunsets that only exist in novels and movies, the album's heart remains Case's voice, as real and strong as they come.

The band's cadre of dedicated followers will no doubt forgive the dark direction as they file the disc in with their numerous other classics.

Tropical Storm should be the album that blows away fans and critics alike.

Yet another brilliant pop record for the college radio crowd.

Dedicated fans will be pleased with the results.