The band tries to stretch but trips over its own convictions.

If parts of "Shock City" shudder under the weight of seeming too cool for school, much credit is due Beans for being one of the producer/MCs desperate to stretch out the rubbery boundaries of the genre.

Smith bundles subtlety and ferocity to create one of his heart-aching best.

Duran Duran has a new lease on life, sounding more vibrant and exciting than it has in eons.

A must-have for any fans of true alternative music and a primer for younger generations to see where their favorite bands got their inspiration.

Although this is not Buckner's masterpiece, it's a beautiful window into the head of someone who writes from the heart.

His most accessible and engaging CD to date.

Proving that reunions can be a good thing, "Love Songs for Patriots" is a nice addition to this band's highly influential catalog.

A breathtaking refresher in all things Mos Def.

An entertaining mishmash of off-kilter, raw and psychedelia-tinged rockers, jazz fusion-like instrumentals, gypsy-styled dance tracks and country hoedowns and pedal-steel twang.

Sum 41's most mature album to date.

A curious amalgamation of styles that is ultimately quirky and compelling.

Halfway between a fraternity kegger and a housewarming party.

The band's writing stagnates, rendering the majority of the album in a rote midtempo formula that Stipe's increasingly trite lyrics can't always save.

The band takes its proven peppy rock sound to new heights.

Continues to straddle the line between street credibility and mainstream success.

[Stone] continues to reinvent soul music, injecting a very classic sound with contemporary sass and verve.

JSBE fans will recognize this rechristened and evolving Blues Explosion and are very likely to enjoy it just as much.

Frontman Aaron Espinoza digs deep into the crevice of his broken heart and pulls out arguably his finest batch of songs.

A splendid set.

"Antics" is even better [than Bright Lights], possibly because the band isn't trying so hard to be weird.

This is pop music like nothing before it, or since.

"I Try," featuring Blige and produced by Kanye West, comes off as trying too hard to re-create Kweli's "Quality" hit, "Get By." The album works best when it goes with the flow.

To say there isn't one bad track on this album would be a drastic understatement.

Welcome, worthy and wonderful.

It is exactly what the band needs to boost itself to the next level of pop-punk prowess.

Rich in melody and mood, guitar and piano; it is more rock than pop.

His raspy, hushed voice is in fine form as ever.