Bloc Party “Nextwave Sessions” Frenchkiss/Co Op It is always a shame when a band’s best work comes in its debut — such high hopes for the future, so much potential hinted at, yet the band can never seem to put it together again. Hi, Bloc Party. The group’s 2005 “Silent

Hugh Laurie “Didn’t it Rain” Warner Bros. Yeah, that Hugh Laurie always has been pretty up front about his musical leanings and has been involved in several musical projects, the most notable of which was the group Band From TV, and his current work with The Copper Bottom Band. Laurie

Buddy Guy “Rhythm and Blues” RCA Calling Buddy Guy a blues legend is to be simplistic and reductive. But sometimes an artist’s talents so far outstrip those of a humble scribe, that to be simplistic and reductive is all we’re left with. For “Rhythm and Blues,” his new two-disc release,

The Wheelers “The Wheelers” Maximum Ames Records The Wheelers are lo-fi indie pop with a punk mentality. The band’s ethos — get in, keep the noise under three minutes, get out — serves the album well. When it works, like it does on “Ride by Fire” and “Braveheart,” The Wheelers

Annalibera “Annalibera (EP)” Independent Annalibera’s EP — much like the band’s music — is a slight and insubstantial thing. With a scant 13 combined minutes of music, the fact that it’s being reviewed at all is a genuine tribute to the band’s ability to deliver a big impact in a

The White Elephant “The White Elephant” Independent Taking a page from Weezer’s playbook, The White Elephant has opted to self-title both of its albums thus far. Call this one “The White Album” (2011’s debut was black) or “The Fly Album” or whatever you wish, but don’t forget to call it

Dylan Sires and Neighbors “No One” Independent Waterloo-based Dylan Sires is a great example of unapologetic pop music. It can be difficult working with something so light and seemingly insubstantial, because you run the risk of having the entire thing collapse under weight that the songs aren’t equipped to handle

King of the Tramps “Wicked Mountain” Old School King of the Tramps throws so much at you over the course of “Wicked Mountain” that it’s impossible to not find something to love. The Tramps are a bunch of supremely talented musicians, and “Wicked Mountain” is littered with influences pulled from

Kanye West “Yeezus” Rock-A-Fella/Def Jam Fatherhood does mysterious things to men. At least, that’s the reason I’m prepared to go with to explain the evolution being exhibited by Kanye West in “Yeezus.” Bombastic, maybe-just-a-touch-crazy title aside, “Yeezus” is a markedly less absurd album than West’s past fare, and the result

Black Sabbath ‘13’ Mercury On paper, there’s absolutely no reason why this album shouldn’t be the greatest thing to happen to music since the treble clef. First off, it’s Sabbath. Then there is the fact that it is Sabbath WITH OZZY. Toss legendary producer Rick Rubin into the mix, and