Reviews: Music/Comedy Recordings

In their debut album, Titus Andronicus may have went into hipster overload with spoken word Albert Camus and Shakespeare. But with their release of "The Monitor," these Jersey kids prove that they've grown up and moved on to more mature territory.

The second coming of Matt Skiba is here; the band has finally made it out of their goth kid phase and gone back to their roots of slick (but sincere) pop punk.

Fan Death, a Brooklyn born, Canadian based band, released their five-track EP “A Coin For The Well", a subpar release that is comparable to a forgetful 19-minute faux-rave.

"One Life Stand" by Hot Chip leaves a lot to be desired. Andy Polhamus explains why this album makes him compare the band to a ballplayer who peaked in Little League rather than the big leagues.

Whether it's hip-hop or surfer rock, Beck is always full of surprises. In "Modern Guilt", Beck teams with producer Danger Mouse who is known for his poppy, sample heavy hip-hop work with artists like MF Doom and Jemini. The result is a psychedelic, foot-stomping, hand-clapping sometimes futuristic, sometimes Southern-folk infused album.

Well, they were not kidding with the title. The Vivian Girls’ second studio release, "Everything Goes Wrong" is simply awful. Over-driven guitars, up-tempo drums and distorted lyrics dominate this train wreck.

“Raditude” easily tops last year's “Red Album” and might be Weezer’s strongest showing since “Pinkerton.” Its worth a listen even if you're one of those fans who stopped listening after the "Blue Album."

The Lovely Feathers' new album, "Fantasy of the Lot," is basically the same song played over and over. Listening to the boring lyrics and chord progressions through my headphones gave me an uncomfortable trapped feeling. I had musical claustrophobia.

Ghostface Killah’s eighth studio album, "Ghostdini: The Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City," is in stores now and fans of Killah's debut album "Ironman" should rush to listen.

The Raveonettes' latest release offers a twisted blend of plushy pop and raw emotion that reduces the racy themes of rape, suicide and drug abuse to concert-ready chants.

Every few years, Long Island based alternative band Brand New, releases a new album that doesn’t sound anything like their previous work. "Daisy," the band’s most recent album is no exception.

Le Loup's sophomore album offers a unique blend of rustic charm and new-age experimen -tation. The album was released on Sept. 22.

Living on campus is about more than being walking distance to your classes; it becomes your life, and it hangs on you like that last sad shirt before laundry day. Being a student on campus is a daily struggle that evokes all sorts emotions- let music be the wingman to your grief...

When Taking Back Sunday released their third album, "Louder Now," in 2006, the members noted that it was a turning point for the band. The band left behind its alternative, at times “emo,” nature to pick up a more traditional sound.

Joan of Arc is like a garden of annuals that looks different every time it re-grows. The Chicago band seems to reconstitute itself around singer Tim Kinsella every couple of years, with new lineups, new instrumentation, a common knack for occult complexity and no plan. Whatever album they make is a product of whatever is in the air.