Kelly Clarkson All I Ever Wanted (RCA)

All I Ever Wanted doesn’t completely abandon the tougher rock edges of My December, but it does ditch the brooding in favor of angry spunk, all the better to prove that the girl who sang “Since U Been Gone” is back.

Cursive Mama, I’m Swollen (Saddle Creek)

Just announced: Cursive at the Firebird April 24

Omaha’s Cursive is smart and sophisticated, with moments alternately hushed and exhilarating.

Bell Orchestre As Seen Through Windows (Arts & Crafts)

Recorded with John McEntire (Tortoise/Sea & Cake), As Seen Through Windows continues the sextet’s exploration of various classical styles and non-traditional musical forms to create a panoramic soundtrack.

Elvis Perkins in Dearland s/t (XL)

Elvis is joined here by a talented trio of friends, all clearly influenced by a range of American roots music.

Handsome Furs Face Control (Sub Pop)

Playing Monday at Off Broadway

Juxtaposes cold, metronomic, electronic beats, courtesy of Alexei Perry, with the jagged, dissonant and frail, broken or breaking, guitars of Dan Boeckner.

Madeleine Peyroux Bare Bones (Rounder)

Madeleine Peyroux’s fourth album isn’t the normal mix of standards (contemporary or traditional) with a few songs of her own composing.

The-Dream Love vs Money (Def Jam)

Rap

Chris Cornell Scream (Interscope)

Alt rock

Arbouretum Song of the Pearl (Thrill Jockey)

Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Alternative Country-Rock

BLK JKS Mystery (Secretly Canadian)

Indie Rock

Steve Earle Live at the BBC (Hip-O)

Heartland Rock, Americana, New Traditionalist, Roots Rock

John Wesley Harding Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead [Bonus CD] (Rebel Group)

Alternative Folk, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Urban Folk, Contemporary Folk

Sources: AMG, inSound