You’ll have to wait until Friday to pick up a copy of Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown, but we assure you it’s worth the wait: The San Francisco punk trio’s follow-up to 2004’s Grammy-winning American Idiot earned a four-and-a-half star Rolling Stone review from writer Rob Sheffield, who said the album is
even better than its rock opera predecessor, “so masterful and confident it makes Idiot seem like a warm-up.” Telling the story of two lovers on the run in post-Bush America, Breakdown finds the perfect crossroad between punk thrash and classic rock. The band merges Queen, Mott the Hoople and Sweet on the title track and then conjure up the Clash on first single “Know Your Enemy.” Produced by Nevermind producer Butch Vig, this 18-track musical odyssey is a must-hear.

Also out this week is Steve Earle’s tribute album to folk legend Townes Van Zandt, appropriately titled Townes.  Having once been Van Zandt’s protégé, Earle knows the material intimately, with the covers album earning a three-and-a-half star review from RS. Earle was so indebted to his mentor, he went on to name his son — who duets with his father on “Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold” — Justin Townes Earle. Other highlights include “To Live Is To Fly” and “Lungs.”

For the hip-hop set, this week ushers in the return of Cam’Ron with Crime Pays. Still one of rap’s most compelling eccentrics, Crime Pays doesn’t reach the heights of ‘Ron’s 2004 masterpiece Purple Haze, but tracks like “I Hate My Job” helped the new LP earn three-and-a-half stars from RS.

Finally, we have Time Turns Elastic from Trey Anastasio. How did we grade the new disc from the Phish singer-guitarist? Check out our Reviews section to find out.