Deftones  Saturday Night Wrist

Fans that enjoyed the Team Sleep disc will definitely dig the Deftones' newest CD.  Chino gets his vocals down to a nice, forceful tenor (without the screamo singing that heavily characterized the band's first few discs), and the guitars and drumwork are more atmospheric than ever.  I'm geeking out here, but my favorite track on the disc?  The bonus song, a really creepy yet highly effective cover of The Cars' "Drive."  Don't knock it til you try it.

 Jay-Z Kingdom Come

Kingdom Come is a good album, and admirably shows Jay-Z’s skill on the mic (there’s some pretty intense rhyming going on during “Oh My God” and “Trouble”), as well as incorporating some interesting guest spots (Beyonce, which is less interesting than…Chris Martin?)...and anyone who listens to the radio knows the undeniable catchiness of "Show Me What You Got."  The production is tight and crisp as always, thanks to Kanye West, Dr. Dre, the Neptunes, and Just Blaze at the reigns, but it lacks the edge, rawness and shocking charisma that were the highlights of The Black Album, thanks to Rick Rubin’s gritty production/direction.

Tom Waits Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards

I know I always sound like a silly schoolgirl when it comes to Tom Waits, with all of my lavish and gushing praise, but this collection is amazing – I know I have been criminally late with a review, but expect a proper one (that does the collection justice) within the next few days.

Plus, you know he totally deserves all the lavish and gushing praise.  You know he's just that good.