Dangermouse and Cee-Lo are back again as the infamous Gnarls Barkley. Taking the playful creativity that distinguished the duo's 2006 debut and expanding on that energy, "The Odd Couple" explores the forbidden underworld of popular music and human psychology. It starts with the intersection of pulsating hooks and pure emotion, and commences on the beat of the hypnotic lead single "Charity Case." This odd couple's sophomore album showcases thirteen songs that advance Gnarls Barkley's vital, unpredictable mission.

Eschewing everything but the pursuit of fun, The B-52's burst onto the new wave scene, way back in 1979. Their mix of '50's/'60's kitsch and pure pop instincts produced some classic campy tunes and the band's popularity hit new peaks with "Cosmic Thing." Their first album in 16 years, "Funplex" reanimates a familiar fusion of post-punk and bizarrely conceived songs of the oldest, yet most honored, new wave.

For the follow-up to 2005's "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out," Panic at the Disco holed up in a Las Vegas studio with renowned composer Rob Mathes (Avril Lavigne, Ghostface Killah, Hot Hot Heat). What they created, the 60's pop-inspired "Pretty. Odd," is nothing short of a masterpiece. This time around, the band opted for real instruments over Pro Tools, citing influences as The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan and The Beatles.

With Justin Townes Earle's pedigree come mixed blessings. As the son of legendary singer/songwriter Steve Earle, high expectations are the name of the game and he's shown that he is up to the task on "The Good Life," crafting stark portraits and narrative tales with elements of blues, classic country and rock n' roll. A modern-day troubadour, Earle blends genres seamlessly, framing his songs in warm musical settings and creating tunes that could easily be mistaken for classics.