Here’s a rundown of the essential albums available online and in record stores today:

Mastodon, Crack the Skye
Southern metal brutalists invoke sweet oblivion.
Read Review >>

The Decemberists, The Hazards of Love
The Decemberists go for baroque with showy foray into musical theater.
Read Review >>

Dan Deacon, Bromst
Off-the-grid scamp turns playfully serious composer.
Read Review >>

Peter Doherty, Grace/Wastelands
U.K.'s wasted bard returns to the land of the living.
Read Review >>

Royksopp, Junior
Cool Norwegians turn on the Technicolor.
Read Review >>

Swan Lake, Enemy Mine
Songwriting trio pass the mic with deft abandon.
Read Review >>

Fever Ray, Fever Ray
Swedish enigmas' sisterly half gets even eerier.
Read Review >>

Amadou & Mariam, Welcome to Mali
West African twosome get thrillingly eclectic.
Read Review >>

MSTRKRFT, Fist of God
Daft digi-punks greatly expand their guest list.
Read Review >>

The Vines, Melodia
Aussie rockers revived, no more highly evolved.
Read Review >>

Jeremy Jay, Slow Dance
Incurable romantic? Aspiring serial killer? Both?
Read Review >>

1990s, Kicks
Sense of humor betrays Scottish indie-pop jester.
Read Review >>

Jim Jones, Pray IV Reign
Diplomats capo angles to crash the hip-hop hierarchy.
Read Review >>

Condo Fucks, Fuckbook
Canny rock archivists stock cooler, press play.
Read Review >>

MORE ON SPIN.COM:
>> Exclusive: Mastodon Album Preview
>> Decemberists to Perform Entire New Album on Spring Tour
>> Dan Deacon Debuts 15-Piece Band
>> Free Download: Pete Doherty Goes Solo
>> Exclusive Song: Indie Supergroup Swan Lake
>> Knife Side Project: Album Details
>> Noise Pop '08: MSTRKRFT Score Big
>> The Vines Conquer Insanity
>> Exclusive Song: 1990s Debauchery!
>> Listen: Jim Jones, Hip Hop Great?