The highs aren't as high on "Sam's Town," but it's a better album overall.

The real difference between this album and past Dears efforts, though, is not so much musical directness as Lightburn's lyrical attempts to become the spokesman for the dispossessed.

It makes for compelling listening, even if you're not always sure what, exactly, is going on.

No one is likely to describe Lee as "happy" - her music relies on an element of gloom - but she sounds confident and in control, and that gets Lee most of the way there.

The moments where Lennon lays himself most bare... reveal there's still a gulf between his own pop and his father's universal sound.

It's a bland album that rarely shifts tempo and shows almost none of the personality Jackson used to have.

The first Lemonheads record in 10 years makes a great case for meat and potatoes, verses and choruses, distortion pedals and minimal production.

The laughs are in short supply on "Release Therapy."

Jackson ties everything together with his own understated strengths, a sincere manner and grounded perspective that anchor tunes even as they brim with thoughtful passions.

"Empire"... isn't quite as refreshing as its self-titled debut, but it again finds the U.K. quartet strutting off in its own direction, oblivious to the ridiculousness that sometimes characterizes its compulsive bids to be hip.

Mostly, it's a trip into the not-too-distant past worth taking.

Although Cursive is still one of the best at what it does, "Happy Hollow" fails to live up to previous greatness.

His best so far.

A more indulgent but less fun record [than its predecessor].

If you haven't discovered him yet, there's no better time than "Time Being."