William Hung

Sounds Like: Satan's idea of elevator music.

See Also: Any local karaoke bar.

Inspiration

That's right. William Hung, that funny lookin' Asian guy who gave the all-time worst audition in "American Idol" history, has an album! The album is basically a compilation of Hung's favorite songs, including Elton John's "Rocket Man" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," as well as Ricky Martin jams "Shake Your Bon-Bon" and the infamous "She Bangs," which skyrocketed Hung to fame. But the cr�me de le cr�me is definitely the most painful rendition of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" ever attempted by a human being.

Playing this album in public will inevitably become a crime, so listen with caution. It's probably the worst album ever recorded. Why wouldn't you want to own a piece of history?

- Kylee Dawson

Matchbook

Sounds Like: Emo-riffic fun!

See Also: Thursday, Far, Taking Back Sunday

Stories and Alibis

I get the whole "emo" thing, I think. It's basically all about love and pain, right? Just kidding.

Matchbook Romance's newest album sounds like a romance novel on tape that's gone sad and electric. Every song's about love. Some woman must have burned this guy really bad. But at least we get some good tunes out of it.

It goes from blaring, electric chords to acoustic without warning. It's worth noting that the song "Tiger Lily" is unmistakably good. It's the only song on the album that did not make me feel bad about my life. You might have to be raw from a breakup to enjoy the rest of the album to its fullest.

But even though I am not in the midst of a horrible breakup, I still enjoyed it. And that says something.

- Celeste Meiffren

Muse

Sounds Like: Plush post Brit-pop redemption.

See Also: Radiohead, Starsailor.

Absolution

Word had it this three-piece was so dower it could make pigeons cry. Not precisely so. What some people mistake for pessimism is more often veiled optimism.

Groovy, funky and debilitatingly infectious at the same time, Absolution plays through so swimmingly you'll forget when you began it.Common themes include finality, realization, claustrophobia, new beginnings and insecurity. When these topics are discussed with such haunting and epic delivery on top of pounding piano keys, grinding guitars and bass, they sound more like exquisite proclamations than journal entries.

No, MUSE is not the next Coldplay or Radiohead. It is just a very good English band with a very solid third album.

- Kevin Smith

The O.C.

Sounds Like: A mix your friend might make for you.

See Also: Spoon, Doves, Phantom Planet.

Music from the O.C. Mix 1

Damn it! I enjoyed this CD. For being such a trashy teen drama, it has a surprisingly good soundtrack.

JEM, Spoon, Doves, Jet, The Dandy Warhols, Phantom Planet and other good indie bands make appearances on this album. So, for people who are not familiar with the "indie band scene," this is a good transitional album. This album is like indie music for beginners.

The highlights of the CD are "The Way We Get By" and "Caught By the River." Personally, I skip "Just a Ride" and "Dice."

If you're new to the indie scene, burn this CD from someone. Don't buy it for $15. But if you're already advanced in the indie scene, just play that mix you made for yourself two years ago, and you'll get the gist.

- Celeste Meiffren

Bob Schneider

Sounds Like: Jack Johnson all coked up.

See Also: The Ugly Americans, Elvis Costello, Pete Yorn.

I'm Good Now

If country artists had the balls to curse more on their albums, they'd probably sound like Bob Schneider. It takes a while to get into the Austin, Texas-based singer's second solo album. But by the last track, you can't help but admire the guy's eclectic sound, which effectively fuses rock, blues, jazz, funk and a little country.

Schneider's harsh voice is flexible enough for him to scream his lungs out on "The Bridge Builders," then do a tripped-out combo of Bob Seger and Louis Armstrong impersonations on "Getting Better."

With lyrics like, "I wanna get so high that I'll never come back down" and "I can see God ... with a great big grin and some great cocaine" ("God is My Friend"), it's obvious where this man goes for inspiration: Courtney Love's house.

- Kylee Dawson