The Godfather of Punk explores his intellectual side, reaching to literary influences and flirting with jazz in Preliminaires.

A must-have for superfans of Rasputina.

Perhaps no artist alive embodies the creaky, creepy, ornately detailed steampunk aesthetic more than Rasputina's Melora Creager. Instantly recognizable on stage in her bloomers, petticoats, and vintage corsetry, Creager has been creating compelling cello-fueled art rock since the early 90s, with help from a rotating cast of supporting cellists and drummers.

It's difficult to listen to the incomparable soul stylings of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings and not think their energetic recordings came out of a vault somewhere. But even with all their gritty authenticity, Jones and company are no '60s relics.

Mike Skinner's (aka The Streets) quirky new album is a throwback to the electro-rap pyrotechnics and surprising arrangements that made him a favorite in the UK.