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Artist: EELS
CD: Hombre Lobo: 12 Songs of Desire
Genre: Indie-Rock
****
When Mark Oliver Everett rasps, "Girl, I want it bad," he's not kidding. The seventh CD from the eternally overlooked Eels is a 42-minute paean to the pain of unrequited love. But E's longing isn't short on volume: While there are some intimate ballads here, the bulk of the set is devoted to twisted distorto-blues stompers and howling garage-rock raveups. Hey, love is strange.
Download: Tremendous Dynamite, Fresh Blood
Artist: PHOENIX
CD: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Genre: Dance-Rock
****
Their CD title nods at Mozart. The first two tracks reference Lizst and the year 1901. But don't worry, these Versailles hipsters haven't traded in classic pop for classical. Their fourth disc is their sleekest work yet, with 10 stylish tracks of dance-floor pop-rock elegantly fashioned from chiming guitars, disco grooves, lush waves of synthesizer and Thomas Mars' adenoidal mewl.
Download: Lizstomania, 1901
Artist: YUSUF
CD: Roadsinger (To Warm You Through the Night)
Genre: Folk
***
Today's bearded-troubadour-with-an-acoustic-guitar trend? Cat Stevens was doing it 30 years ago. And now, as Yusuf Islam, he's doing it again.
His second album since returning to the mainstream expands upon 2006's An Other Cup, with tighter songs set against sweeping arrangements -- but starring the same warm vocals. Get up on the peace train, Iron & Wine fans.
Download: Everytime I Dream, This Glass World
Artist: CSN
CD: Demos
Genre: Folk
***
Neil Young isn't the only rich old hippie trading on his past these days. His sometime bandmates David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash have also raided their closets for this roundup of acoustic-guitar demos from a dozen of their '60s and '70s solo and group classics. Granted, it's a lot less extensive than Young's recent Archives box. Then again, it's a lot less expensive too.
Download: Marrakesh Express, Music is Love
Artist: RHETT MILLER
CD: RHETT MILLER
Genre: Roots-Pop
****
Maybe you know Miller as the singer-guitarist of jangly alt-country outfit Old 97's.
As always, his self-titled fourth CD strikes a poppier and mellower pose than the 97's, with lightly sanded vocals and sharp lyrics set against gently strummed guitars and richer, more soulful melodies. So now you know.
Download: Happy Birthday Don't Die, If It's Not Love