Source: AMG

Flight of the Conchords “Flight of the Conchords” (Sub Pop)

Stars of the HBO series Flight of the Conchords, Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement unleash the songs from season one on their new full length produced by Mickey Petralia (Beck Midnight Vultures, Ladytron Light & Magic.) A parody of everyone from Shabba Ranks to Hall and Oates, most of the best cuts are here, and the music is funny and diverse enough to keep even the biggest haters of New Zealand digi-acoustic funk folk thoroughly entertained.

Billy Bragg “Mr. Love & Justice” (Cooking Vinyl)

Billy Bragg sounded confident and all but unbeatable on his first few albums in the ’80s, but political and creative uncertainty has dominated much of his work since then. Thankfully, 2008’s Mr. Love & Justice, the Brit singer-songwriter’s first full-length studio effort since his disappointing 2002 effort England, Half English is a return to form. The scope of the album is often modest, but it speaks with grace, wisdom, and heart, and finds Bragg a bit older, a bit wiser, and still committed to fighting the good fight.

The Replacements “Let It Be” [Deluxe Edition] (Twin/Tone/Ryko/Rhino)

At long last, the Replacements’ catalog is getting the deluxe reissue treatment, beginning this week with their Twin/Tone catalog: their debut Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash, the mini-LP Stink, their messy breakthrough Hootenanny and the undisputed classic Let It Be. All the CDs are remastered, contain excellent bonus tracks (such as Sorry Ma getting Paul Westerberg’s early acoustic gem, “If Only You Were Lonely”) and have great liner notes.

Ashlee Simpson “Bittersweet World” (Geffen)

With her third album Bittersweet World, Ashlee Simpson has undergone another makeover, both in image and in music. Last time around, she was dour and dark, now she’s all bright and happy, fashioning herself as a Gwen Stefani wannabe, revving up both the dance beats and the retro new wave sounds. She winds up with a record that’s cheap, trashy fun.

Tokyo Police Club “Elephant Shell” (Saddle Creek)

Although previously modeled after the gritty rock & roll of the Strokes, Tokyo Police Club widen their reach on this full-length debut. Words like “tessellate” and “australopithecine” may require the use of a dictionary, but the band’s brainy lyrics are balanced by a mix of angular guitars, dancefloor drums, and the occasional detour into slow, shoegazing territory. For those who were winded by the Lesson in Crime EP, Elephant Shell gives you the chance to dance and periodically catch your breath.

Tab Benoit “Night Train to Nashville” (Telarc)

Louisiana Blues, Modern Electric Blues, Swamp Blues, New Orleans Blues

The Jealous Girlfriends “The Jealous Girlfriends” (Last Gang)

Indie Rock

Lyrics Born “Everywhere at Once” (Anti)

Alternative Rap, Hip-Hop, Neo-Soul

Jonathan Richman “Because Her Beauty Is Raw and Wild” (Ada/Vapor)

Alternative Singer/Songwriter

Story of the Year “The Black Swan” (Epitaph)

Emo, Punk Revival, Screamo, Post-Grunge

Tea Leaf Green “Seeds” (Ada/Surfdog)

Roots Rock, Jam