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New Beck, Melvins worth hearing

Beck

"Modern Guilt": The most anticipated new release of the week, Beck comes through with moody beats and jangly pop undertones; low, ominous vocals and "ooo/ahh" backup harmonies that, together, wrap up "guilt's" paradoxes in a nice, neat package. And that's just from the single "Orphans." Per Beck's style, he experiments with lots of pop elements and successfully makes sing-alongs from brooding internalizations, humanizing himself in the some of the most effective, bizarre ways possible.

The Melvins

"Nude With Boots": You probably know this band for its sludge metal, its comparisons to grunge-era heroes and slow, squirming rock beats. Well, kick off your boots, because these West Coast rockers kick it up a notch on "Kickin' Machine" and try to hold it there as long as possible. Expect the same chorus of deep vocals you're used to and lots of old-school rock riffs that, thankfully, sound just as stripped down as the album name implies.

Danger Radio

"Used and Abused": Let's call it dance pop for power-funk junkies. Danger Radio manipulates, squashes and expands synths to produce a high-energy beat fest with hooks that jump beyond catchy to addictive levels. The last band in recent memory that so effortlessly created such guilty-pleasure pop songs is Fall Out Boy. But, be warned: This harmonizing boy band abandons Patrick Stump's traditionally non-whiny vocals for something targeted at tween heartthrobs. These are pop-punk pipes, baby. It's up to you to look past them.

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