Ghostface Killah, 'Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City' (Def Jam)

Wu-Tang cocksman gives relationship advice.

It's a cold, hard world and a Ghostface Killah needs a Ghostface girl -- the kind who'll wear a nurse costume when you get back from a long night at the studio, rock the foxy librarian look on a lazy Sunday, who'll kill for you and die with you, write to you in Rikers and call you on your bullshit, take long walks and communicate in parks.

Wilco, Frankly.

From private heartaches to public battles, "the quintessential American rock band" has had a career full of high drama. So why are they now on top of the world?
Photo by Francesco Carrozzini

School's out. For. Wednesday.

Eminem, 'Relapse' (Interscope)

Slim Shady gets back to his blood-soaked roots.

It's been five years since Eminem's last record, Encore, and on occasion, the world has felt somewhat empty without him. But that's nothing compared to the emptiness he feels.

Rancid, 'Let the Dominoes Fall' (Hellcat/Epitaph)

Mohawked heroes fight genially good fight.

"We're still around," Tim Armstrong growls over Lars Frederiksen's peppy guitar blitz as these lovable mosh-pit lifers kick off album number seven. The sunny brutalism of Rancid's East Bay ska-thrash has lost nary a step and their ethical-emotional rigor is as sweet as it is pure.

Chester French, 'Love the Future' (Star Trak/Interscope)

Ivy league wiseacres hit industry pay dirt.

Chester French are kind of undeniable, which is good because you'll probably want to deny them. Harvard brats bankrolled by Pharrell, singer D.A.

Field Music, 'Field Music' (Memphis Industries)

Like Wilco, only less rocking and with cooler raincoats.

The Northeast England port town of Sunderland got its first punk-rock anthem in 1987, the Toy Dolls' highly ironic "Nowt Can Compare to Sunderland Fine Fare." The timing was auspicious.

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