Cali Swag District's surviving members memorialize M-Bone in the artwork of The Kickback, the group's debut full-length, which was originally set for release last year through Capitol before arriving in stores independently through a distribution deal with Sony RED. That dedication is a rare glimmer of gravity on a set filled with buzzy, lightweight odes to whips ("Burn Out [Drive Fast]"), women ("I'm Freaking You") and weed ("I Don't Need Your Money").

The British vocalist was pegged as a Beyoncé-style pop/ R&B diva during an abortive mid-decade Los Angeles stint. But escaping that environment allowed her to develop the genre-straddling, retro-modern mélange of Travelling Like the Light, which was released overseas last July.

Three albums in, Boyle sounds like she's finally arriving.

For this warm set of 11 country-time covers (including a track from his 1986 album, "Eye of the Zombie"), Fogerty turns to his speed-dial list of superstars.

With Closer to the Bone Kristofferson digs deep into his long and troubled past to bring listeners one of his most beautiful moments.

Slash shoots a little too wide for its own good, but the album showcases him as the guitar hero we've always known and as the songwriter we probably haven't appreciated enough.

Cee Lo Green's pre-"Fuck You" presence on the soundtrack to "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" last year seemed to signal an expansion of the series' indie-dominated musical brand. That opening-up continues here with tunes by hipster-rap MC Theophilus London and Green's pal Bruno Mars.

It may take listeners a while to wrap their heads (and ears) around Scratch My Back, but it will undoubtedly polarize an audience that has long awaited something new from Gabriel.

The dozen tracks of effervescent, shimmering, faith-based synth pop blend Young's adenoidal, Warped tour-ready vocals with a decidedly '80s new wave flavor.

As the title of a song on new album "All of You" suggests, Colbie Caillat isn't afraid to sing about a world where we "Think Good Thoughts" - most of which are about her falling in love.

Omarion describes his third solo album, Ollusion, as proof that he's all grown up. But the set comes off more like a bid for street cred than maturation....But when Omarion reaches for the high notes and sticks to nuance on the aching ballad "Speedin'" and the teasing "Sweet Hangover," he shines like a seasoned star.

It took awhile, but the Strokes have ultimately rewarded their fans' enduring patience.

Kurupt's distinct slurred-barking cadence lends itself well to the anthems on "Streetlights," an impressive albeit uneven release.

It took the Black Crowes seven years to release last year's "Warpaint," but now that the Robinson brothers are back in the studio album business, they're making up for lost time.

Until its sequels are released, Green Day's latest should be regarded as a disposable but thoroughly enjoyable return to the band's long-deserted roots. The Cali punks are back, and it's nice to see them.

The new set casts a spell with Stuart Price's signature preternatural touches, Minogue's breathy chirp and the hooky melodies of a varied crew of dance pop-focused songwriters and producers.

The band's current six-member lineup, together five years and responsible for 2007's stunning "Sky Blue Sky," is its strongest to date--and Wilco (The Album) is as well-rounded an effort as the group has released.

From the range of production styles to the bonus disc of live tracks, Swords is a welcome catalog addition

As the album's title suggests, Slug primarily concerns himself here with matters of home and family, but it's hardly a Hallmark affair.

He may still sport the same look, but stylistically his new music proves that he's not a one-trick pony.

Clipse fans are no doubt still listening, but they'll need a more cohesive vision next time around.

The saying goes: If it isn't broken, don't fix it. That seems to be the strategy Jay Sean and his team employed.

It's a bold change of course that gave overseas ears pause when it was first released in July under the group name RPA & the United Nations of Sound.

It's the airtight beats of Danger Mouse and the surreal songwriting of Linkous that make this a fascinating set.

The big guns are firing again on his newest release, Y Not, and to good effect.

Catchy verses and get-your-hands-up chants are layered among '80s synth and keyboard lines on these 10 tracks.

As haunting as Lewis' ballads are, perhaps fewer of them would do her some good.

Lyrically, Louder is rather one-sided, as she often sings about the perils of relationships, over and over, in ways that we've all heard many times at this point. Still, it's a solid effort that shows she has promise as a bona fide pop artist.