Download-worthy discs

Ryan Adams Easy Tiger (Lost Highway)
The disturbingly prolific Adams puts forth yet another collection of Americana rockers and heartbreaking ballads, both of which nicely showcase his broad, moody voice. (Jun 5)

Dizzee Rascal Maths & English (XL)
Dizzee’s older, wiser and better on his excellent third album, and with guests ranging from Texas rapper Bun B to Lily Allen, he could please both the street and the charts. (Jun 5)

Art Brut It’s a Bit Complicated (Downtown)
Eddie Argos continues his reign as one of indie rock’s most charming frontmen, talk-singing funny (and embarrassing) tales of the everyday over the band’s Fall-inspired rock. (Jun 19)

The White Stripes Icky Thump (Third Man/Warner Brothers)
After the Raconteurs, Jack White reconvenes with his “sister,” cranks up his guitar and reminds listeners of the savage power of his main gig. (Jun 19)

Pharoahe Monch Desire (Universal)
It was worth the eight-year wait: One of hip-hop’s most creative lyricists, Monch spits hard and smart over 13 tracks that truly will move bodies and minds. (Jun 26)

Velvet Revolver Libertad (RCA)
Three years after its chart-topping debut, Velvet Revolver has gelled into a band that amounts to more than a potent cocktail of what worked best in Stone Temple Pilots and Guns N’ Roses. Libertad proves that Big Rawk is alive and well: It’s the perfect soundtrack for cruising to the beach with the windows down and the knob cranked to 11. (Jul 3)

Common Finding Forever (Good Music/Geffen)
For once, the Brooklyn rapper doesn’t shoot for a statement-driven masterpiece but simply concentrates on songs. The lack of ambition suits him well—as do contributions from Lily Allen, the late J Dilla and Sir Kanye West. (Jul 10)

Interpol Our Love to Admire (Capitol)
Now that Interpol is signed to a major label, have the members gotten all fancy and started wearing suits and stuff? Oh, wait… Actually, the local quartet hasn’t changed in the slightest, playing slick, dark songs stuck in 1982. Or perhaps 2002. (Jul 10)

Smashing Pumpkins Zeitgeist (Reprise)
Meet your reunited Smashing Pumpkins: Billy Corgan, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin and…some new guys! If not a proper reunion, this album does return Corgan to the massive, angry guitars that made Smashing Pumpkins Chicago’s biggest band in the early ’90s. He sounds as irked as ever. (Jul 10)

Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (Merge)
The long-running Austin group has stopped reinventing itself, but continues its strange mission to make indie rock sound groovy. (Jul 10)

The New Pornographers Challengers (Matador)
The Brooklyn-Canada conglomerate features two distinctive songwriters—Carl Newman and Dan Bejar—not to mention a decent-enough occasional female lead, Neko Case. All bring their A-games to this chipper indie-pop paradigm. (Aug 21)

Aesop Rock None Shall Pass (Definitive Jux)
Enormously popular with the backpackers for his intricate wordplay, local MC Aesop Rock raps over cleaner and—dare we say it?—catchier production on his first full-length in three years. He’s lost none of his brainy fire, and this time you can understand all his lyrics! (Aug 28)

Also in this issue:

• Ticket masters: Trying to score seats to a sold-out show? Savvy concertgoers reveal eight proven strategies to get you in.
• Win our concert tickets: Want to see some of the hottest acts of the summer? One great photo is all you need.
  • Contest 1: the Police (Meet our winner.)
  • Contest 2: Lily Allen (Meet our winner.)
  • Contest 3: Rock the Bells (Meet our winner.)
  • Contest 4: Live Earth (Meet our winner.)
• Attack of the McVenue: This summer, you’ll find seven fresh clubs, many with connections to big corporations. Does this signal a golden age or Golden Arches for live music?
• Live from New York: The stage, the bathroom and everything in between: Our music staff grades seven of the summer’s newest spots for live music.
• Are new clubs a good thing?: We want to know how you feel.
• Boogie knights: Escort ditches the DJ, bringing back live disco (that’s a good thing, we promise).
• Download-worthy discs: These albums are dropping like it's hot—because it is!
• Summer concerts: June: Your comprehensive calendar to this month's music in New York
• Summer concerts: July: Your comprehensive calendar to this month's music in New York
• Summer concerts: August: Your comprehensive calendar to this month's music in New York
• Summer performers on YouTube: You've heard the songs, but how do these artists stack up live? We give you a taste of their performance mettle.
• Take it outside: Download a block-rocking map of this summer’s outdoor concert venues