Their previous albums Whatever Makes You Happy and Wish in One Hand received excellent reviews and demonstrated that singer/songwriter Jeff McGregor has a versatility found only in music's best. The Solipsistics' latest album Careful How You Go further supports the notion. The album investigates unconditional love and loss, and is filled with a variety of musical genres. McGregor's lyrics are charming and when paired with music that ranges from folk to pop, the result is an album that is unpredictable yet enjoyable. For more info, check Frigidisk.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that this self-titled album is Pulley's first. These five guys have recorded together on two previous albums, although neither received as great a response as this one. Pulley takes its listeners through the frustrations of everyday life. From the first track, "Working Class Whore," to the last, "Sick," their hard-core punk style never ceases to express the scorn that we all can relate to at one time or another. Don't get me wrong – the album isn't bleak or dark. Rather, the band has the liveliness and appeal of a Greenday or Rancid without imitating. Pulley stays true to their own personalities and experiences, producing a distinctly enjoyable listen. For more info, see Epitaph.

First off, David Emmets' voice could pass for Gordon Gano (Violent Femmes) and how can you go wrong with that. The similarities end there, however. Emmets' self-produced album, Does the Word Love Mean Forever, is soulful and slow. His sadness and frustration are supported by beautiful piano, a mellow drum beat and heartfelt lyrics. The album picks up for a song or two, particularly with the track "The Wall Is Down," an edgy song that rings with bitterness. My favorite number is "Misunderstood" which sounds a bit like the Cure. In short, if you've just been dumped, this is the album for you. It's slow, sad, and touches a chord in anyone who's been through the wringer. For more info, check the David Emmets Website.

This album is like an all-you-can-eat buffet – there's a little something for everyone. With 20 tracks of music that range from pure heavy metal to hard rock to punk to techno, this is the ultimate smorgasbord of rock music. The record has everything, including a sample of dialogue from the film Seven which begins a song that could easily be mistaken for Korn. Another track starts out with a passage derivative of Jimi Hendrix's "Star Spangled Banner." The album, aptly titled Redefine the Rockstar, does just that. It deftly manages to cover a wide range of rock without losing the quality we love most about the genre – its edge. You may not like every track, but the album's versatility is, nevertheless, clearly its virtue. For more info, contact Mike at 3:16 Productions.

Mmmm – Psychedelic bubble gum and ghosts are what come to mind when I listen to these three girls (Melissa Lou, Marilyn Older and Nancy Tarr – backed by a male drummer). They flow through a range of sounds that are groovy, ethereal and haunting – hence their name Dead Girls and Other Stories. It is difficult to describe the way each song swirls around your head – it's more like you're watching the music rather than listening to it. The band combines smoky harmonies with funky bass, guitar and organ sounds. The lyrics are feministic, yet soulful. The song that best captures the mood of the entire album would have to be "Garbage Can." It is no wonder that these girls got to take the stage at Lilith Fair. They possess a good dose of Girl Power and remind you that "You (too) can be a Dead Girl." For more info, check the Dead Girls Website.

There is a pug on the cover of this album who is so ugly he's sweet. He also pretty much sets the mood of the album. Lead vocalist, Jonathan Spottiswoode's voice is smooth and deep like bittersweet chocolate. Backed by instruments ranging from violins and cellos to electric guitars, the lyrics to his tunes all share a common trait of longing and desire. It's not unlike listening to Morphine with a touch more of the blues. Over the course of the record, Spottiswoode experiments with his vocals and music, but never loses the dark cloud that hangs over the album as a whole. It sucks you in slowly – before you know it you are listening to it again. I found myself liking it more each time – just like that pug. For more info, go here: Spottiswoode.

Elvis is alive!! He's not at Kmart… he's been in the recording studio. For all those people who wondered what he would sound like in the '90s, The King – ironically his name is James Brown – just may have the answer. Judging by this CD, he would be paying homage to some of the greatest fallen artists from all genres of music. Gravelands covers everything from Nirvana to Frank Sinatra in true Elvis Vegas style. With the guidance of producer Bap Kennedy, The King has released an album that will make you shake your pelvis like Elvis. He's not just a dime-a-dozen impersonator, The King nearly resurrects the dead. P.S. You can never go wrong with Elvis. For more info, to listen to the music or order the CD, check Ark 21 Records.

Ballistic Cabaret's New Vacuum is a unique blend of goth and '80s new wave. Lailamaria Maximo's voice sounds trained and operatic and backup musician Dr. Grew is excellent on drums and synthesizers. The lyrics provide a cynical and humorous look at life in the '90s and when laid over pop music, the result is an unconventional mix. It sounds like a funked out version of Sunday mass combined with an edgy and condescending reevaluation of '90s ideals. It's not for everyone, but it is definitely interesting stuff (for those who would rather jump out a window than watch Seinfeld or Friends). For more info or to order the CD, check out the band's Website.