Sources: InSound, AMG

Fleet Foxes “Fleet Foxes” (Sub Pop)

They may be from Seattle, but on their self-titled debut album, Fleet Foxes create a world that’s part Olde England, part Blue Ridge Mountains, mixing British and Appalachian folk with ‘60s rock and 2000s indie-pop. Despite drawing from so many sources, there’s a striking purity to the band’s sound that rings true in their flawless harmonies, chiming guitars and throughout this very satisfying album.

Jewel “Perfectly Clear” (Valory)

Perfectly Clear finds Jewel — who only five years ago was making like Britney — turning herself into a country singer with the assistance of producer John Rich, best known as half of Big & Rich. It sounds like an extreme makeover but it’s not, as the country form focuses her, helping her deliver concise, pretty poppy tunes that are reminiscent of her hit debut Pieces of You.

Ladytron “Velocifero” (Nettwerk) (At Pageant on 6/16)

On Velocifero, Ladytron sounds as aloof, glamorous, sinister and bittersweet as ever, crafting dark-yet-sparkling electronic pop that takes on a bit of an industrial edge thanks to collaborator Alessandro Cortini, formerly of Nine Inch Nails. Though Ladytron doesn’t really make a big step forward with their sound on this album – a first for them – Velocifero won’t disappoint fans.

Aimee Mann “@#%&*! Smilers” (SuperEgo)

Unlike The Forgotten Arm, Aimee Mann’s @#%&! Smilers isn’t a concept album, it’s a simple collection of songs. Together, they play more like a pop album than a singer/songwriter record, as the production is brighter and fuller than most recent Mann records, but the songs remain exquisitely crafted and benefit from from some healthy cynicism, the same kind the surfaces in the censored profanity of the title.

Radiohead “The Best Of” [US Limited Edition] (Capitol)

2008 might have been a slightly early point in time to release expanded editions of the first several Radiohead albums, so Capitol greased the reissue pipeline with The Best Of, a 17-track disc with a track list that is as debatable as any other. The disc does cover just about all of the basics: all the singles and emphasis tracks, from Pablo Honey’s “Creep” through Hail to the Thief’s “2+2=5,” along with a small assortment of the band’s better-known album cuts.

Gavin Rossdale “Wanderlust” (Interscope)

Scared by the lack of success of his post-Bush outfit Institute, Gavin Rossdale relies on his own name for WANDERlust. He also abandons the hard, churning guitars that have been his stock in trade since the days of MTV’s Buzz Band, opting for a smooth AAA adult-pop designed to appeal to listeners who know him as the hot husband of Gwen Stefani from reading US Weekly.

Weezer “Weezer (Red Album)” (Geffen)

Like the two eponymous color-coded albums that precede it, Weezer’s The Red Album serves as a point of reintroduction as the band has decided to shake things up in the wake of the oversized, highly buffed Make Believe. Every one of the guys takes lead vocals on a song, while Rivers Cuomo serves up some of his catchiest and funniest pop songs in a while and, in the suite “The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived,” one of his weirdest, all adding up to pretty infectious restatement of purpose for Weezer.

Shearwater ‘Rook’ (Matador)

Shearwater’s latest for Matador Records is pastoral prog-folk with hints of Talk Talk, Nico, and John Cale and Van Morrison. This album is a dark fairy tale encased in a cycle of songs featuring lush sonic gorgeousness with harp, strings, and woodwinds.

The Futureheads “This Is Not the World” (Nul)

After the mature, introspective territory of News & Tributes, the Futureheads go in the opposite direction on This is Not the World, streamlining and polishing their songs so much that they’re far more straightforward than any of their previous work. At times, they almost sound too simplified – especially compared to all the harmonies, quick tempo changes, and razor-sharp riffs they crammed into their first two albums – but when This is Not the World connects, it makes an indelibly catchy impact.

Yoshida Brothers “Best of Yoshida Brothers” (Domo)

East meets West as the duo plays the ancient, three-stringed banjo-like tsugaru-shamisen with the fervor of Jimi Hendrix.

Dr. John and the Lower 911 “City That Care Forgot” (429)

New Orleans R&B, New Orleans Blues, Electric Blues

Pinetop Perkins & Friends “Pinetop Perkins” (Telarc)

Piano Blues, Chicago Blues, Acoustic Blues, Boogie-Woogie

The Pinker Tones “Wild Animals” (Nacional)

Spanish Indie Pop