Of Montreal, 'Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?' (Polyvinyl)

A giddy free-for-all from multitasking pop auteur.

Athens, Georgia's Of Montreal have practically become a one-man psych band, and Kevin Barnes' pleasantly nasal voice -- many, many multitracked versions of it -- harmonizes on nearly every track of his eighth album.

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, 'So Divided' (Interscope)

With guitars intact, rockers find bliss in the details.

Like teenagers discovering the munchies, My Chemical Romance and the Killers have realized the power of the classic-rock anthem, with its grandiose swagger and bulging chord progressions.

Built to Spill, 'You in Reverse' (Warner Bros.)

Idaho ax wielders keep on truckin'.

Madonna, 'Confessions on a Dance Floor' (Warner Bros.)

Madge goes disco -- again. Gay clubbers rejoice. Others, not so much.

Sons and Daughters, 'The Repulsion Box' (Domino)

Scottish murder ballads in the key of "Aieeeee!"

Q&A - Michael Stipe

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