Calexico / Photo by Aubrey Edwards

Here's a rundown of the essential albums available online and in record stores today:

• Calexico, Carried to Dust
  Folk-rock impressionists trace poignant cross-country journey. (READ REVIEW)
  Listen to "Two Silver Trees"
  

• Common Market, Tobacco Road
  Gritty Seattle hip-hoppers at play in the fields of the Lord. (READ REVIEW)
  Listen to "Tobacco Road"
  

• Gym Class Heroes, The Quilt
  Emo-rap crossover crew gets retarded in here. (READ REVIEW)
  

• Okkervil River, The Stand Ins
  Texas storytellers return with a magnificent Act Two. (READ REVIEW)
  Listen to "Lost Coastlines"
  
  

• Kimya Dawson, Alphabutt
  If you can't afford a creepy birthday clown, put this on! (READ REVIEW)
  

Read reviews of seven other vital albums also out today on page 2.

PLUS: Last Week's Best New Albums