This week’s best albums
– With performers that range from Jack White to Sparks to Marc Ribot, Beck breathes the eclectic life into Song Reader that he pined for since its inception back in 2004.
– The sophomore album from Shabazz Palaces exhibits similar experimental-hip-hop ambition but with greater organization.
– Mark Lanegan Band displays the versatility that fans have come to expect, pushing against the constraints of the letters “EP.”
– The latest from Jenny Lewis shields a core of highly personal—but quite universal—storytelling.
Honorable mentions
Tyler Bates: Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack (Marvel / Hollywood)
Demonic Resurrection: The Demon King (Candlelight) [import]
Sara Jackson-Holman: River Queen EP (Expunged)
Fela Kuti: Finding Fela soundtrack (Knitting Factory)