Editors' Choice for May 2009

Although imbued with melancholy, this is Au Revoir Simone's best album so far thanks to the band's strong songs and Thom Monahan's warm production.

— Rovi Staff

WHITE LIES FOR DARK TIMES is the first Ben Harper album to feature his rock-oriented Relentless7 group.

— Eric Schneider

BRICOLAGE can claim credit for inspiring 40 minutes of handclaps and swing dances.

— Kenneth Herzog

Eperimentally minded but accessible modern psychedelia akin to Animal Collective or Akron/Family.

— Charity Stafford

While Oberst's compositions are certainly the most memorable on OUTER SOUTH, those of his bandmates stand up well.

— Jim Allen

A fine last testament, a sturdy set of mainstream bebop with undertones of blues, gospel, and soul.

— Mark Keresman

NIGHTDUBBIN' is the 2009 dance compilation presented by Dimitri from Paris.

— Eric Schneider

Double Dagger deliver one of their rawest and most realized efforts with 2009’s MORE.

— Anthony Tognazzini

With assistance from producers the Dream and Tricky Stewart, this debut appeared in 2009.

— Anthony Tognazzini

The bright and cheerful sounds of these singles reveal that Gary Lewis & the Playboys deserve more than footnote status in rock & roll history.

— Rovi Staff

Six tracks each by two of the great country singers of all time.

— Charity Stafford

21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN is Green Day's follow-up to its punk-pop rock opera AMERICAN IDIOT.

— Eric Schneider

VECKATIMEST is the lauded 2009 album by the revered indie-rock act Grizzly Bear.

— Eric Schneider

FURTHER COMPLICATIONS is the second solo outing by former Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker.

— Eric Schneider

Mixing honky-tonk, funk, and soul in roughly equal amounts

— Jim Allen

A collection of 12 short pieces from countries undergoing wars, internal political conflicts, or both

— Charity Stafford

Setting his last writings to music, the Manics' tribute to Richey James is twitchy and cantankerous, yet with a feeling of comfort and even relief.

— Rovi Staff

Meth and Red stick to the formula, blending hardcore and commercial over hard-knock East Coast production.

— Matt Rinaldi

Immediately accessible and relentlessly rhythmic.

— Anthony Tognazzini

MANNERS is the 2009 full-length debut by the synth-pop act Passion Pit.

— Eric Schneider

A pleasing artifact of the late '60s, this generous 27-track collection by masters of L.A. soft pop showcases the era's breezy, easy sounds.

— Rovi Staff

Refines their approach, reining in the scattershot, darts-to-the-wall tactics of the past to reveal some of the most vibrantly melodic and robust songwriting of their career.

With airy and atmospheric songs, this naturalist's version of experimental techno is tied to obscure South American folk music, suggesting sounds emerging from rural Brazil.

— Rovi Staff

Multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Annie Clark makes a major creative leap with her second album.

— Charity Stafford

Steve Earle pays tribute to his mentor, the late singer/songwriter legend Townes Van Zandt.

— Jim Allen

Comedian proves his bluegrass leanings no joke on a reverent 2009 album of his banjo wanderin's.

— Jason Thurston

Axel Willner's sophomore outing as the Field sounds like techno produced by a dream pop/shoegaze freak; the result is warm, deep, and enveloping.

— Rovi Staff

Deluxe expanded (and retitled) edition of Sub Pop's classic document of the shambling Scottish guitar pop band.

— Nate Knaebel

Puente's best-known and best-selling album, released at the height of the mambo craze and the foundation for many great Latin artists that followed.

— Mariano Prunes

Elektra Records unveils a collection of key songs heard throughout Season One

— Mark Morton