Viking Moses, 'The Parts That Showed' (Epiphysis)

Finally, a freak folkie who actually knows how to tell a good story.

Gorgeously recorded by Paul "brother of Will" Oldham, Parts is a you-are-there document of obsession and despair about a gold-hearted teen hooker and (fancifully) intended for Dolly Parton to sing. Brendon Massei (a.k.a.

The Mint Chicks, 'Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!' (Milan)

Smirking, pogoing Kiwis ponder life's rich, unruly tapestry.

Now settled in Portland, Oregon, this New Zealand–bred trio reinvigorate timeworn rock customs on their ardently cheeky second album (the first was Fuck the Golden Youth, FYI).

Julian Koster, 'The Singing Saw at Christmastime' (Merge)

You may be wishing for a silent night after this Xmas present.

Julian Koster's musical saw was part of the exhilarating ether on Neutral Milk Hotel's indie-rock landmark In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, but on this album of winter classics, the spectral instrument goes it alone, jarringly so.

Waylon Jennings and the .357s, 'Waylon Forever' (Vagrant)

Decent tribute to outlaw legend dad by outlaw wannabe son.

Seven years before his death in 2002, Waylon Jennings recorded these eight tunes with his then-16-year-old son Shooter, but it wasn't until Junior revisited them recently that there was any real interest in a proper release. A few Waylon standards have been given a rumbling, rock makeover, and the country legend's deep, sonorous voice sounds potent throughout.

Japanese Motors, 'Japanese Motors' (Vice)

Boarding brosefs take their skinny-tie jams out in the sun.

Like a West Coast beach-bum version of the Strokes, this Orange County foursome (with pro surfer Alex Knost on lead vocals) sing amiably about wearing one's hair in one's eyes and sitting in traffic on the 405 over poppy, sloppy garage-punk grooves that sound like they were written simply to score a fistful of drink tickets at Costa Mesa's Detroit Bar.

Jake One, 'White Van Music' (Rhymesayers)

Versatile 50 Cent studio hand ain't just about a gangsta party.

The debut album from G-Unit producer Jacob "Jake One" Dutton plays like a crowd- pleasing beat reel for future employers.

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