Harry Nilsson's wonderful 1967 debut album, Pandemonium Shadow Show, didn't sell a lick, but it caught the attention of the Beatles. Lennon and McCartney's keen interest helped get the follow-up Aerial Ballet made, and it further showcases Nilsson's sophisticated vocal style, far-reaching musical interests and keen sense of humor. While the album didn't sell well initially, the entertainment industry took notice. Three Dog Night had a big hit with "One," while Nilsson's cover of Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin'" became the theme song to Midnight Cowboy. Harry Nilsson would finally become a star. Editor: Nick Dedina
Boy, k.d. lang sure knows how to show adult alternative who's boss, doesn't she? On her 10th studio album, the indomitable ms. lang revisits each of the styles she's conquered: jazz (the easy, breezy "Sunday"), vaguely vintage pop ("Je Fais la Planche," which is so freaking crammed with whimsy you'll want to pinch its cheeks) and country (sort of; nothing's as twangy, or torchy, as her early material, but the front-porch folk-blues of "Jealous Dog" seems like an homage). As always, her interpretations are graceful and exquisitely subtle. This is what adult alternative should be. Editor: Rachel Devitt
Kocani Orkestar and Taraf de Haidouks are two of the most astounding Balkan brass bands going. Rarely does music both challenge you intellectually (try following their time signatures) and make you want to kick over the table and pound a liter of Slivovitz. Great producers remix them on this excellent release, but it's still really -- and rightly -- their show. Editor: Sarah Bardeen
Long the beneficiary of overly generous indie-rock buzz, Canadian New-Wavers Wolf Parade has released a new album that gives greater justification for the hype. More Details
We have to admit: We have a hard time taking romantic ballads and lovelorn slow jams seriously when they come from teenagers. Which is kind of illogical, considering teenagers spend a lot of time obsessing about their broken hearts. But thankfully, Vanessa Hudgens doesn't devote too much of her second album to puppy love, although "Don't Ask Why" is pretty sweet and the Dr. Luke-produced broken-heart-with-a-beat jam "First Bad Habit" is compelling. Ms. High School Musical's best tracks -- like the Fergie-fied "Hook It Up" -- are all about going out, having fun and flirting. Editor: Rachel Devitt
After 50 Cent's artistically and commercially disappointing last album, Curtis, no one wanted an unfocused album bloated with appearances from affiliates like Mobb Deep, Hot Rod and M.O.P. Apparently 50 agreed, limiting mic time to original members Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks and (recently ousted) Young Buck. The result is a cohesive blend of belligerence and lyrical mayhem that resembles stellar material from the group's acclaimed mixtapes. Songs like "Straight Outta Southside," "Piano Man" and "You So Tough" won't get much airplay, but they'll go a long way in restoring the G-Unit brand. Editor: Toshitaka Kondo
Chicks dig Mayer. If all the sexy girlfriends didn't convince you of that, Where the Light Is will. Ain't no alpha males squealing between crowd pleasers like "Waiting on the World to Change" and "Daughters" -- it's ladies' night all the way. But hey, you gotta give it up for him. In an age when concerts aren't the communal extravaganzas they once were, Mayer plays his skinny butt clear off for, like, hours. There's three whole sets here: solo acoustic, John Mayer Trio and the full band from Continuum. Yowza. Editor: Justin Farrar
