Punk, even the sophisticated variety to which this aspires, needs attitude.

Johnny Hi-Fi and his fine band cranked out a tight set of melodic rock that brought to mind a slightly less crunchy, more lyrical Weezer.

I get some pretty weird CDs to review, but Vashti Bunyan’s story and music seem almost not of this earth. After connecting with Rolling Stones manager and legendary producer Andrew Loog Oldham, Vashti was given a Jagger-Richard song to record and flash-hyped as “the new Marianne Faithfull” in 1965. When …

Soul music is alive and well. No "neo-" prefix is needed.

See it even if you don't follow, or even like, indie rock.

In the age of George W. Bush and Al Qaeda, it’s easy to lose sight of what is ultimately the most important conflict of all: the battle to save the environment.

Keb' Mo's style enables him to find a place in today's pop(ular) consciousness, and that's a tough thing to do without compromising artistic integrity. More power to artists like Keb'Mo' who can do it.

This is an upbeat pop-rock CD from Connecticut singer-songwriter Melissa Mulligan. The best songs, especially “Dark Horse” and “Janie,” could be radio hits, and Mulligan’s maple-syrup voice reminds one of the sometimes underrated Paula Cole’s. “Borrowed Wings” is another catchy number, with airier, Sarah McLachlan-ish vocals. “Girl,” a dramatic rocker …

The extremely talented but still very young David Jacobs-Strain writes, plays and sings in traditional forms, but (because, I suspect, of not having yet lived the life of which he sings) he sounds like he’s trying too hard. The result is a great-sounding CD that fails to convince. The problem …

"Kate Bush crossed with Brian Eno" might hint at what to expect here, but it wouldn't convey the full range of musical idioms blended by this duo.