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SPIN THIS

Published: Nov 2, 2007

LIARS - :

LIARS

(MUTE) ♣

Liars traveled from "hot" to "challenging" to "impenetrable" over the course of its first three albums. Accessible might not seem like the next logical stop, but after 2006's "Drum's Not Dead," there likely wasn't anywhere else to go except completely over the edge.

Not that you'll catch "Liars" bumping up against "alternative" acts such as The All-American Rejects - there's still no hint of concession in the group's sound. But this time out, they've graced their arty outbursts with harmonies and hooks and hammered them into something approaching traditional pop song form.

Welcome back to musical terra firma, boys.

Download this: "Plaster Casts of Everything"

Curtis Ross

JOSH TURNER:

EVERYTHING IS FINE

(MCA NASHVILLE) ♣

It's a Nashville tradition to compare breakout stars to country music's legends, so it's a high compliment when Josh Turner's canyon-deep baritone is compared to Johnny Cash.

But to do so is to ignore Turner's unique range and touch with a song. The vocals on his third album are warm, accessible and soulful, especially on such songs as "Everything Is Fine" and "Firecracker." Anyone with an Adam's apple can sing low; just ask Randy Travis. It takes a special artist to employ it sparingly and then impress with the top of the vocal range.

This album isn't perfect. Turner overreaches to establish his backwoods credibility on "Trailerhood." But the collection is still a solid listen.

Download this: "Nowhere Fast"

Jeff Houck

H.I.M.:

VENUS DOOM

(SIRE) ←

H.I.M. frontman Ville Valo never met a goth cliche he didn't embrace. Graveyards, tombs, castles and blood all make repeat appearances on the Finnish guitar-goth band's latest, "Venus Doom."

The album, the band's first since 2005's "Dark Light," finds the boys returning to the same decomposing ground. Only this time, the musings sound too much like the eighth-grade poetry of the creepy kid in the corner.

And even the one or two good songs are ultimately undone by lyrics such as "My heart's a graveyard baby/and to evil we make love." Sure, it's campy fun, but H.I.M. needs to dig up some fresh material soon, or else they'll kill off their remaining fans.

Download this: "Passion's Killing Floor"

John W. Allman