For 17 years now, Built to Spill has produced album after album of twisting and turning, multi-layered, experimental rock music for an ever-growing fan base. There Is No Enemy is a high note for the band, whose current sound continues previous records’ trajectory and features a more matured and cultivated style.

You might expect the Strokes’ frontman Julian Casablancas to be a little groggy after awakening from a three-year artistic hibernation, but instead, he calmly brushes the dust off his leather jacket, Casiotone keyboards and mic stand to deliver a punchy and refreshing solo debut with Phrazes for the Young. Infectious energy and meticulously crafted arrangements abound through the 40-minute album as Casablancas pieces together classically catchy compositions, sprawling country waltzes and hypnotic electronic blitzes to create one of the years more engaging releases.

After losing their record label to Chapter 11 bankruptcy and changing guitarists during a busy 2008, The Cinematics have resurrected themselves and produced Love and Terror, their second full album. Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, the Cinematics have a post-punk sound reminiscent of bands like The Cure with an added darker, heavier element, almost grunge-like bass and lead singer Scott Rinning’s deep rhythmic voice.

Detroit’s Royce Da 5’9” sounds real hungry on his fourth solo album. While a lot of cookie cutter rappers are out there right now talking about how much money and what they do with it, Royce tells stories and welcome us into his world. And he sounds like he means every syllable of what he says. 5’9” comes with a raw energy that most couldn’t muster if they worked their whole life.

From the first song, “Gun Harmonizing,” on which he bursts onto the album with sputtered scatting and verbal gun sounds, Royce Da 5’9” sounds like he’s attacking the mic. Snapping snares and a hard-hitting kick drum compliment Royce’s verbal attack very well.

I get it indie rock stars. You need to make money. And teen sagas involving vampires make lots of money. So obviously getting your music into said sagas equals money! But really, the New Moon OST? I’m positive your intentions were not to try to redeem a lame movie via the soundtrack. I’m even more positive you’re all definitely in it for the money and you have to feel at least a little bit dirty for contributing to this one. Better yet, you must even be feeling a little bit of regret after the “almighty” Pitchfork gave your soundtrack a measly 5.4. That’s rough.

You won’t find this album on sale at any store in America: it is only available in the UK. Here’s a little heads up — Mr. Hudson is one of the best new artists to hit the scene this year. You may have heard him on Jay-Z’s new song “Young Forever,” and now his solo career has exploded. His debut album, Straight No Chaser, is executive produced by Kanye West and features songs fitting for Kanye’s album 808’s and Heartbreak. Don’t let Kanye’s influence fool you though — Mr. Hudson thankfully succeeds where he miserably failed.

You won’t find this album on sale at any store in America: it is only available in the UK. Here’s a little heads up — Mr. Hudson is one of the best new artists to hit the scene this year. You may have heard him on Jay-Z’s new song “Young Forever,” and now his solo career has exploded. His debut album, Straight No Chaser, is executive produced by Kanye West and features songs fitting for Kanye’s album 808’s and Heartbreak. Don’t let Kanye’s influence fool you though — Mr. Hudson thankfully succeeds where he miserably failed.

I should preface this by saying that I have never read any of the books in the Twilight series, nor did I see last year’s Twilight film. More then that, I have no desire to ever read a word that Stephanie Meyer has written about the turbulent love affair of Edward Cullen and Isabella Swan, or see any film adaptation of the story. I’ve come to this decision on my own without ever having direct exposure to the work, because like it or not, Twilight has become ingrained in our poplar culture as a nation, spawning a vampire-centric craze unseen since the glory days of my beloved Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This vampire frenzy that dominates our media, from HBO’s True Blood to the confusing new John C.

MTV has unleashed many horrors upon the world: all the variations and spin-offs of The Hills, casts of the Real World that are actually pretty fake and immature brats on My Super Sweet 16. One of the only good things to come out of the network was the band Cartel, whose previous album was produced in Band in a Bubble. Once merely remembrance of the emo-pop phase, Cartel has returned with a new album, Cycles, with the desire to remain relevant.

Don’t worry. Normal as Blueberry Pie – A Tribute to Doris Day is a reference to a line from “Wonderful Guy,” and an ironic acknowledgment of the fact Nellie McKay is about as kooky as they come. Thank goodness.

All too often, tributes to classic musicians consist of some sort of gimmicky imitation, and result in a shtick that is actually “as corny as Kansas in August.” Nellie McKay does not succumb to this common pratfall. In her tribute to Doris Day, McKay captures the spirit of what made Day so wonderful. Her clean vocals, relaxed phrasing and ebullience suit this project perfectly.