Best Albums: Franz Ferdinand, Soundgarden’s Ben Shepherd, The Dodos

This week’s best albums

– After a four-year layoff, Franz Ferdinand returns with a more matured take on its slinky, guitar-driven songs.

Soundgarden bassist Ben Shepherd makes a solo debut, a diverse LP from an unsung songwriter.

– Following the death of second guitarist Chris Reimer, The Dodos find solace in productivity, releasing a fifth album in seven years while emphasizing electric-guitar tones.

Honorable mentions

Black Joe Lewis: Electric Slave (Vagrant)

Disappears: Era (Kranky)

Goodie Mob: Age Against the Machine (The Right Records)

Puscifer: All Re-Mixed Up