Soundcheck Podcast

Radiohead drummer Philip Selway has offered a record of his own: Familial, a quiet and nearly percussion-free effort that is nuanced and introspective. Some of us may find it a wee bit boring, but there's a backstory to it that makes all the difference. 

Damien Jurado's solo album St. Bartlett was produced by Richard Swift, himself a successful independent singer-songwriter. The duo spent a few days together at the end of August and banged out another record of cover songs, written by acts as diverse as John Denver and Kraftwerk, and they make them completely their own. Confused? We unravel it all.

Crazy For You, the latest from Best Coast, is awash in good vibes and reverb. Is it too much, or too little, of a good thing? You podcast pals engage in a triumphant discussion.

You Are Not Alone, the latest from gospel legend Mavis Staples, adds just the right amount of Now to a whole good lotta Then.

Becoming A Jackal, the full-length debut from Villagers, is lyrically rich, thematically brilliant and musically delightful. Don't miss it -- or this equally rich, brilliant and delightful podcast about the record.

Infinite Arms, the follow-up to 2007's Cease To Begin, features Ben Bridwell's latest lineup as Band Of Horses. We like it, on the whole, but that doesn't stop us from picking some nits. We also welcome our colleague Jenna Carlesso to the podcast fold.

High Violet, the latest from The National, is getting crazy buzz, but how does it stack up to 2007's Boxer? And, regardless of that, is it worth listening to? We tell you!

Brooklyn duo Das Racist has released a mixtape called Shut Up, Dude. Dudes, it's awesome. It takes rap to a very smart place with wicked rhymes and devastating -- but wry and entertaining -- social commentary. What's not to love? Well, it's Regine's last podcast. That's not to love.

Congratulations, the latest from hipster-darlings MGMT, is a record that deserves nothing of the sort, according to at least two of us.

The latest from Ted Leo and The Pharmacists, The Brutalist Bricks, definitely qualifies as ass-kicking rock-and-roll. But how does it stack up to the band's previous efforts? 

The Winter Of Mixed Drinks, the latest record from Scottish band Frightened Rabbit, is one of the best records we've heard this year. Heck, it's one of the best records we've heard in a very long time.

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, led by the former Pussy Galore frontman, hit New York City in 1990. To celebrate its first 10 years, the Explosion has released a greatest hits record titled Dirty Shirt Rock and Roll. It's awesome sexy, or it's just terrible noise masquerading as art rock. We discuss -- and we might even use some totally appropriate dirty words.

Norah Jones' latest record, The Fall, released in -- uh, the fall, shows her development since 2002's knockout Come Away With Me. But how do they compare? Can they compare?

Joanna Newsom has blessed us with three records' worth of ... well, listen to the podcast and hear our take on exactly what these 18 songs are.

The Golden Archipelago, the latest record from Austin band Shearwater, is an epic trip through islands of the earth and of the mind. The drums pound, the voices soar, the music crescendos and we swoon.

IRM is a record from French actress Charlotte Gainsbourg. Or is it a Beck record sung by a French actress? In any event, is it worth a listen? At least one of us thinks so.

Teen Dream, the third album from Baltimore dream-pop duo Beach House, is going to be one of the best albums of the year. Can we say that in February? Oh yes.

Vampire Weekend's first record was all that. Is their second record all that too, or is it all this?

Her November album "Rated R" was one of the most anticipated releases in the waning months of 2009, but did Rihanna's latest live up to the hype? One of us thinks yes, one is more lukewarm and one didn't really care. But which is which?

Lady Gaga is huge and tremendous, and she proves it with Fame Monster. We are, to varying degrees, in awe.