The Mars Volta: Deloused in the Commotorium

Former At The Drive-In members create a morbid twisting tale of psychosis by weaving together the aggressive emotion of post-punk progressive rock with the energy of latin music.

The band goes beyond the barriers of radio-friendly tracts with songs that change style and genre four and five times in eight minutes. The result is a highly experimental acid-trip with addictive hooks that puts the listener into a trance.

Thursday:War All The Time

The sophomore set from the New Jersey based group is audibly a more mature take on the same deep subject matter. The screaming is still present, but in a more palatable form and is replaced with strong vocals and the signature voice overs. The smoother sound is gained without sacrificing any of the band’s original intensity. The album will make you think, cry and want to protest human rights abuses, but don’t expect to laugh.

Radiohead:Hail to the Thief

In what may be the finest effort by what has been called the greatest band in the world, Radiohead has done the unthinkable: reinvented themselves without alienating fans. The latest offering by the English band is hauntingly familiar while producing a completely new sound. The album is instrumentally full-bodied and lush and is paired with the signature biting lyrics to produce an intense and beautiful hour-long experience.

The Fire Theft:Self-titled

Former Sunny Day Real Estate frontman, Jeremy Enigk, has created a masterpiece in the first album from his newly formed band. The tracts range from delicate to driving. Grand pianos mix with electric guitars and distortion machines create an overall feeling of transcendence more often found in ambient noise.

The result is chilling and sadly beautiful. It is an album worth falling in love with.