TV On the Radio, “Halfway Home”
Brooklyn rockers mash up New Wave guitars, doo-wop vocals and nursery-rhyme melodies for a genre-exploding anthem that’s thoroughly modern.
[Review]

Jackson Browne, “Off of Wonderland”
A lovely, soft-rockin’ jam that celebrates the best of the Sixties, from MLK and RFK to the days of living “ankle-deep in contraband.”
[Review]

Jenny Lewis, “Jack Killed Mom”
Finger-snapping acoustic blues that’s sharper than the knife Lewis brags about brandishing. Murder ballads never sounded so sexy.
[Review]

Blitzen Trapper, “Stolen Shoes & a Rifle”
Channeling Neil Young circa Harvest, these Oregon kids spin the prettiest-ever folk tribute about a giant tree-shaking bird.
[Review]

Jamey Johnson, “High Cost of Living”
Whores, motel raids, coke binges — it’s just another day for this gothic country crooner. Shooter Jennings, meet your new drinking buddy.
[Review]

[From Issue 1062 — October 2, 2008]

Related Stories:

• Album Review: TV on the Radio, Dear Science (4 stars)

• Album Review: Jenny Lewis, Acide Tongue (4 stars)

• Album Review: Jackson Browne, Time Conqueror (3.5 stars)