Bollywood by Liz Phair, from Funstyle (independent); streaming at YouTube: Liz Phair is still whip-smart. A rapped, tabla-tastic freak-out against the record business is fun stuff - and if you don't agree, your sense of humour just might be M.I.A.
Big Red Heart by Tracy Bonham, from Masts of Manhatta (Engine Room); streaming at tracybonham.com: Cowbells, heartbreak and funky California folk rock imagines Sheryl Crow making War with Fleetwood Mac. New from the Mother Mother singer.
Ready to Start by Arcade Fire, from the forthcoming The Suburbs (Merge); streaming at musicforants.com: "I would rather be alone, than pretend I feel all right." Win Butler, in a young Roger Daltrey voice, wallows to a brooding eighties bass-driven bounce, taking his time as the song builds to announce his new beginning.
Brad Wheeler