Even something as mediocre as the most recent Hot Chip album would be interesting.

Mark E. Smith of Britain's marathon-running post-punk agit-prop outfit The Fall, is nothing if not consistent.

Singer Sharon Jones and band the Dap-Kings have made a name for themselves by reviving the essence of funk and soul music's heyday from the 60s and 70s.

Originally from capital city Freetown, Allstars founder Reuben M. Koroma and his wife found themselves in a refugee camp in neighbouring Guinea during the late 90s.

On his seventh album Nathan Haines is a hardened jazz head, a seasoned rump shaker, and sometimes, a purveyor of fine elevator jazz.

All systems go on solo outing by Sigur Ros frontman.

Infectious US guitar pop-rock which connects with Dunedin and elsewhere.

Grand ambition, okay songs from Aussie guitar hero.

A rare singer-songwriter who can be elegant or erotic with ease.

Slash has roped in many of his accomplished and famous mates to create an album that is often inspired but at times weak.

The second part of hip-hop-soul diva Erykah Badu's New Amerykah series is a far more soulful and subtle offering than 2008's 4th World War.

Opening with a quick tempo and dusty vocals that could have been plucked from a 60s track, It's Working is the first sign MGMT no longer see themselves as a New York pop duo on a sugar-high.

Still sounding like AC/DC, with hints of Iron Maiden and Motorhead, and a small dash of sweaty Australians, Cold Chisel and the Angels.

There was a time when Black Rebel Motorcycle Club were a hazy and psychedelic rock band, then they became porch song bluesmen on Howl before ramping it up again on Baby 81.

If you were swept away by the broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera La Boheme, then Gerald Finley's Marcello may have been one reason for the intensity of your pleasure.

Scott Kara reviews new album Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae

Scott Kara reviews new album Ali and Toumani from Ali Farka & Toumani...

Jacqueline Smith reviews new album The Magician's Private Library from Holly Miranda

Christopher Owen, the brains and voice behind San Francisco's Girls sounds sad - about girls.

The debut album Alive of two years ago by this photogenic Chinese singer was a mish-mash of electro-pop, slightly twee vocals, Chinese folk, new age blandness and deadening over-production.

Let's take a trip back in time to when ravers wore gas masks, and if you weren't wearing a mask you were blowing a whistle, while dancing to yabbering happy hardcore and banging beats that send you raving mad.

It's been a decade since British electronic act Goldfrapp - singer, synth player and clothes horse Alison Goldfrapp and producer Will Gregory - released their debut album Felt Mountain.

Baltimore duo Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally produce the kind of music that confuses your sound receptors at the same time as comforting them.

The Truckers inspire great loyalty, but fans may be tested by this outing which was knocked off quickly and suffers for it.