TS And Past Haunts - EP: No substitute for a new Piebald album, but far from terrible.

System Of A Down - Toxicity: Easily the best nu metal album I've ever heard. Still a few tracks too long.

Off - Four EPs: Fantastic early Black Flag.

Go Rydell - The Golden Age: A bit more gravelly but an easy substitute for those missing Kid Dynamite. I know I am.

Beatles - Decca Audition: Historically essential, but nothing more.

My Chemical Romance - Danger Days: Drops remaining pretense of being a punk band, opting for a pop album. And it's fantastic.

Jordaan Mason And Horse Museum - Divorce Lawyers: Obviously NMH inspired, but without any if the euphoria it's a tough listen.

Crazy Arm - Born To Ruin: Modern Against Me! without the arena-level hooks.

Kanye West - Beautiful Twisted Fantasy: Somewhere in the middle it lost me and was never able to recover.

Wovenhand - The Threshing Floor: Another solid album for fans of Califone.

Tom Waits - Closing Time: Sometimes perfect execution can mask a lack of innovation.

Vampire Weekend - Contra: Epitome of a sophmore slump, failing to achieve any of the high water marks found on their debut.

Titus Adronicus - The Monitor: Very rewarding, but sometimes flawed execution of a perfect blend of Two Gallants and Hold Steady.

Wrong Side - Of The Tracks: Mosh-heavy hardcore reminiscent of Death Threat.

Wolfmother - Cosmic Egg: Save yourself some time and listen to Muse.

White Stripes - Under Northern Lights: Too good to feel so short.

White Lies - To Lose My Life: The album Interpol always wanted to make?

Jim Ward - In the Valley, On the Shore: Refreshing to hear him out of arena mode.

War Pigs - Degeneration: Hardcore that didn't live up to the high expectations, namely for its seeming self indulgence.

Volcano Choir - Unmap: Radiohead-esque meets (obviously) Bon Iver.