Editors' Choice for February 2011

Album cover for The Great American Songbook

The Great American Songbook

Arista / Columbia / Legacy
R&B

A succinct sampling of Franklin's early-'60s output for Columbia, featuring interpretations of "God Bless the Child," "Skylark," and "How Deep Is the Ocean."

— Andy Kellman

Album cover for End It All

End It All

Anticon
Rap

Producers like Four Tet, Clark, and Interpol’s Sam Fogarino help the underground rapper deliver this challenging but very rewarding effort.

— David Jeffries

Album cover for Evening Tapestry

Evening Tapestry

Slumberland

Fans of orchestral pop will find much to love on the band's debut record, from excellent arrangements right through to the very hooky tunes.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for Zonoscope

Zonoscope

Modular Recordings

The group's third album adds more pop to the dance-rock equation and, thanks to a batch of great songs, almost equals the dizzy heights of previous album In Ghost Colors.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for Tryptych

Tryptych

Modern Love

The Lancastrian terror alchemists combine and expand their three continuously mesmerizing releases from 2010.

— Andy Kellman

Album cover for You Are the Beat

You Are the Beat

Kanine Records

Dream Diary's debut album is a treat for fans of indie pop as originated by Sarah Records in the late '80s, full of great songs and wonderfully sensitive vocals.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for The Gate

The Gate

Concord Jazz / Universal Music

Kurt Elling's The Gate makes a convincing case for new jazz standards with innovative readings from the canons of rock, pop, and soul.

— Thom Jurek

Album cover for La Sera

La Sera

Hardly Art

La Sera's debut album is a hauntingly beautiful collection of songs written and sung by Katy Goodman of Vivian Girls.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for Bitches Brew Live

Bitches Brew Live

Columbia / Legacy / Sony Legacy

Bitches Brew Live compiles two different performances from the Newport and Isle of Wight festivals with three unreleased cuts.

— Thom Jurek

Album cover for Mondo Amore

Mondo Amore

Razor & Tie

Atkins' second release is a solid breakup record, with guitar-driven arrangements and fiery vocals to match the songs' content.

— Andrew Leahey

Album cover for First Four EPs

First Four EPs

Vice Records

Keith Morris captures the raw aggression of old-school hardcore with his new project, Off!

— Gregory Heaney

Album cover for Let England Shake

Let England Shake

Island / Vagrant

By turning her focus from the personal to the political on these angry, mournful songs, Harvey reaches new artistic heights.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for Howlin' Gang

Howlin' Gang

Sacred Bones

Like fellow Australians the Birthday Party, Slug Guts fill their sophomore outing with dark, fractured post-punk.

— Jason Lymangrover

Album cover for Party Store

Party Store

In the Red Records

Party Store is a tribute to the founders and innovators of Detroit techno done loud and raw Dirtbombs style.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for Rolling Blackouts

Rolling Blackouts

Memphis Industries

The group's third album features inspired guest appearances, a revitalized sound, and their catchiest songs to date.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for Smart Flesh

Smart Flesh

Nonesuch

Intimate Americana album whose recording location -- a vacant factory -- added resonance to the band's close harmonies and folk songs.

— Andrew Leahey

Album cover for Underneath The Pine

Underneath The Pine

Carpark Records

Toro y Moi's second album is less chillwave and more space age bachelor pop (à la Stereolab) with a couple disco tracks thrown in for good measure.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for Pop Ambient 2011
Various Artists

Pop Ambient 2011

Kompakt

The Kompakt label's 12th ambient compilation features some new blood in the form of Crato, Barnt, and Bhutan Tiger Rescue.

— Andy Kellman

Album cover for Yuck

Yuck

Fat Possum Records

Yuck's update on shoegaze and Amer-indie guitar rock of the early '90s is spot-on and often thrilling.

— Tim Sendra