Jewel - Pieces of You

All songs written or co-written by Jewel Kilcher. Jewel was nominated for the 1997 Grammy Award for Best New Artist. "Who Will Save Your Soul" was nominated for a 1997 Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. When this Alaskan decided to give up her day job and move into her Volkswagen van in 1993, she began an almost storybook ascendance to the upper echelon of singer-songwriters. Like so many other aspiring musicians with a guitar and a story to tell, Jewel is a keen observer of human behavior. But it is her voice, a classically-trained instrument that has developed far beyond Jewel's 22 years, that makes her debut album--much of which was recorded at Neil Young's Broken Arrow Ranch with pieces of his Harvest Moon band--such a joy. Jewel's is a special voice, one that can portray enormous emotional range with only slight alterations in color and texture. She sings "I'm Sensitive" with coy innocence, and gives the title track a biting, scolding quality. "Amen," the album's finale, is perhaps Jewel's most stunning vocal display, with her gorgeous, ethereal falsetto lifting us into a world where beautiful voices can speak volumes.

Kula Shaker - Strangefolk

Kula Shaker are best known for the 1997 multi platinum 'K', which became one of the fastest selling UK debuts ever. Now, after a six-year absence, Kula have returned with the brilliant album 'Strangefolk'. Produced in collaboration with an all-star team of hit makers & Grammy winners, including Tchad Blake (Peter Gabriel, Crowded House), Sam Williams (Supergrass) and Chris Sheldon (The Foo Fighters, The Pixies), 'Strangefolk' consists of 13 songs that hurl themselves through the looking glass and down the rabbit hole, echoing with voices of protest and imagination.

Mark Ronson - Version

On the 2007 follow-up to his overlooked full-length '03 debut, HERE COMES THE FUZZ, London-born/New York City-based DJ/producer Mark Ronson presents an appealing and inventive set of cover tunes in collaboration with an eclectic array of artists. A hit upon its release in the U.K., the lively single "Stop Me" finds Ronson working with Australian R&B performer Daniel Merriweather on an intriguing club-oriented interpretation of the Smiths' "Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before" that deftly mixes in a chunk of the Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On." Other highlights of Version are Ronson's funky take on the Kaiser Chiefs' "Oh My God," which features a typically charming turn by British pop singer Lily Allen, and a horn-led rendition of Radiohead's "Just" that includes vocals by Phantom Planet's Alex Greenwald. With its dynamic track listing and guest shots, the entire album is a vibrant party-perfect outing that should win over many listeners outside of Ronson's loyal fanbase.

The Sea and Cake - Everybody

Fans bank on the shimmering, gorgeous pop of the Sea & Cake, and 2007's Everybody will disappoint no one. There aren't any radical departures from the band's smooth, meticulously constructed brand of highbrow sonic candy, but Everybody bears less overt experimentation than previous efforts, placing the emphasis instead on pop hooks and arrangements that wash over the listener like waves. In fact, Everybody more closely resembles a 1970s soft-rock album than it does the music of, say, Tortoise (Sea & Cake drummer John McEntire's post-rock main squeeze). But Everybody is unmistakably an album made by first-rate musicians with a vision. Opener "Up on Crutches" is a sunny, bouncy tune that plays like a summer breeze. The fuzz guitar tones in "Crossing Lines" offset the breathy melody, while "Coconut" spins a plaintive tune against chimed notes. In short, the Sea & Cake make pleasurable pop for smart people, and Everybody--bright, sweet, and beautifully textured--is as pleasurable as anything they've done.

Peter Murphy - Dust

Peter Murphy took six years in between his fifth and sixth solo albums, although the Recall EP and the live effort Alive Just for Love captured what would eventually come next. His 1995 release Cascade tested his dark rock & roll roots while adding musical elements of the Eastern world. It was stylishly optimistic and sonically gorgeous, typical Murphy. By the new millennium, he reinvented himself. Dust marked his spanking new sound, naturally and tastefully. Murphy and world instrumentalist Mercan Dede went for a vast mix of prog rock, trance, and classical music on Dust. Murphy's lyrical depth transforms into individual dreamscapes, particularly on the tribal beats of "Things to Remember." Murphy's spoken-word chant tangos the song's chorus for Dust and jazz bassist to rouse a raw desire. The rhythm escalates with a backing section made of distinguished Turkish and Canadians musicians. Violinist Hugh MarshJamaaladeen Tacuma guide Murphy's lyrical visions to a higher, spiritual place. "Your Face" is a swaggering mix of electronic textures, hauntingly similar to the dark beauty of Murphy's first album, Should the World Fail to Fall Apart. Older tracks "My Last Two Weeks" and the epilogue of "Subway" are reworked as well. Murphy has bravely restructured the simplicities of each song, introducing a massy richness. Dust itself materializes into a new chapter for Murphy. He's crafted a successful solo career to his own liking, never sticking to one formula. Dust is a stunning look into his exotic, sharp imagination and a vibrant effort for those who've watched him evolve.

The Mars Volta - Deloused In The Comatorium

Formed by Cedric Bixler and Omar Rodriguez from the ashes of their previous band At the Drive-In, the Mars Volta takes a dizzying journey to hell and back on this colorfully titled album, traveling inside the mind of a man who attempted suicide but went into a week-long coma before ultimately choosing death. As one might expect the ride is intense and at times disturbing. Galloping bass by Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) provides the rocky foundation for exploratory psychedelic guitar experimentation and keyboard soundscapes that paint an aural picture of madness. The centerpiece of Deloused In The Comatorium is the 12-minute plus "Cicatriz Esp." Its long, ambient middle section lulls you into a nervous calm before breaking out into a Santana-esque jam. Take care, though; trying to interpret the lyrics, or song titles ("Eriatarka") for that matter, in a literal sense will undoubtedly place you in the same deep psychic void as the subject. In an era where cookie-cutter bands pretending to be angry at life are the norm, the Mars Volta is a shining example of originality and talent.

U2 - The Joshua Tree

Recorded at Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin, Ireland. The Joshua Tree won the 1987 Grammy award for album of the year. After their arresting appearance at Live Aid, U2 album sales went berserk across the globe, and the world waited impatiently for their next release. The Joshua Tree arrived, and fans were not disappointed. There are few weaknesses, musical or lyrical, in this album. The pure power of the music and patent honesty of the lyrics steer the band clear of whimsy and self-indulgence. The anguish and questioning is shot through with faith as they chant and stomp and batter their way through instant classics such as 'Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For', 'Where The Streets Have No Name' and 'With Or Without You', leaving the listener bruised but elated.