Certainly no one could accuse The Melvins of subtlety, but on their latest album guitarist/vocalist Buzz Osborne and the current iteration of the 25-year-old band opt for an interesting experimentalism. Their blistering riffmongering often gives way to oddly structured interludes or little sonic asides.  

If one needs proof of the existence of a cosmic overmind or benevolent deity, the recent re-emergence of Bettye LaVette should be all the evidence required. Her recent releases have been triumphs of the style she's been honing for four decades, but on her latest abum, 'Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook,' LaVette applies her stunning voice to some of the greatest songs in the Rock & Roll canon.