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

Also Read
Compact Discs: Sound of the Future
 
- Bound Stems, The Family Afloat
History teacher’s heartfelt tales get a focused, melodic punch. (READ REVIEW)
- Bart Davenport, Palaces
Cali indie popper unexpectedly reaches smooth-groove bliss.(READ REVIEW)
- Fujiya & Miyagi, Lightbulbs
The funkiest soundtrack to a cultural studies seminar ever.(READ REVIEW)
- The New Year, The New Year
Indie rock’s answer to Ambien: You rest well, but sheepishly.(READ REVIEW)
- Parenthetical Girls, Entanglements
Sweeney Todd make you wanna cut your own throat? May we suggest… (READ REVIEW)
- Shaky Hands, Lunglight
Jumpy indie kids enthusiastically imitate crabby, world-weary burnouts.(READ REVIEW)
- The Subways, All or Nothing
Former first couple of NME punk-pop embrace their teen spirit.(READ REVIEW)