1. The Verve, Forth
(Manchester rockers make their first new album in 10 years, and it's actually good. Gazing, thumping, and somehow totally stuck in the 1990s... they still manage to sound relevant.)

2. One Day As a Lion, One Day As a Lion EP
(Rage Against the Machine's Zack de la Rocha and Mars Volta's Jon Theodore hint at a side project that could be explosive, on this collection of five new songs. De la Rocha brings the rhymes, Theodore brings the beats, and together they unleash a melodic and abrasive new sound.)

3. The Walkmen, You and Me
(New York hipsters scale back their noise for an organic and smart new album. It breathes like it has holes in it, but the holes come from comfort and experience.)

4. Ladytron, Velocifero
(Straight out of Liverpool, these electro-rockers keep it goth, dark, and pretty. "Ghosts" could be the rock single of the summer.)

5. Richard Swift, Ground Trouble Jaw EP
(Enigmatic singer/songwriter delivers a new EP for free. It's outfitted with retro soul and '60s pop. Mysterious, surprising, and very good.)

Hey Matt,
Check out SEPPUKU PARIDIGM from France. They did the MARTYRS soundtrack and it sounds amazing:
http://www.myspace.com/seppukuparadigm

Enjoy! Best, S.