Three Album Reviews in 75 Words or Less

The Decemberists, The Crane Wife

Everyone’s favorite nautical-themed, Alexandre Dumas-reading lit-pop indie rockers from Oregon are back. With The Crane Wife, they’ve delivered their major-label debut, which takes a page from both the Who and Pink Floyd songbooks, resulting in a prog-rock stunner with all the meandering experimentation of Dark Side of the Moon, but with the powerful immediacy of Who’s Next. Plus, their songs are about murderous butchers and magical women who transform into birds. What’s not to love?

Beck, The Information

Beck returns with the real “return to Odelay” record after the faux-nostalgia of 2005’s mediocre Guero. But there’s so much more to love than just blasts from the past. On The Information, Beck walks a tightrope between the shameless psychedelia of Midnite Vultures and the heart-on-my-sleeve frankness of Sea Change. It’s a gamble, but it pays off. Check the last track for bonus dialogue about spaceships, between filmmaker Spike Jonze and humorist Dave Eggers.

Jet, Shine On

Jet are musical chameleons. Their Oasis tracks sound just like Oasis, their Beatles tracks just like the Fab Four. Is there any band these guys can’t sound like? Yes, themselves. Still, it may be imitation, but damn it if it ain’t good-sounding imitation. Leadoff single “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” is their catchiest tune yet, and the title track achieves a climax second only to “Hey Jude.” Damn it, another imitation!