Fleetwood Mac tribute, Rumer and the Kennedys
1 Various artists “Just Tell Me That You Want Me” A salute to the songs of Fleetwood Mac so creative, it deserves to inspire a sequel. 2 Rumer “Boys Don’t Cry” The young British star Rumer reimagines weepy ’70s ballads as Karen Carpenter might have sung them — with special melancholy.
3 “Searching for Sugar Man” This richly deserved documentary about the lost (and then strangely found) ’70s folkrock protest singer Rodriguez stirs in every sense.
4 The Old Ceremony “Fairytales and Other Forms of Suicide” The leader of this North Carolina band, Django Haskins, matches his unflinching vocals to gothic folk-rock tunes and words that look at fantasy askance.
5 Katatonia “Dead End Kings” They pledge allegiance to Sweden’s doom metal scene, but Katatonia’s brand of dark rock has a symphonic depth and a fallen beauty. 6
The Kennedys “Closer Than You Know” Maura Kennedy’s voice rests wistfully on music that makes Burt Bacharach-style somber pop jangle. 7
The Dunwells “Blind Sighted Faith” The U.K.’s harmonyhappy Dunwells dive into
American balladry with aching sincerity and melodic tics that recall Crowded House’s soft side.
8 Matthew E. White “Big Inner” White sings his slow and spacious songs in a remote hush, thereby contrasting his elaborate music with intimacy. 9 Jjmaz “Suicide Pact” You can’t pronounce their name, but you won’t forget their catchy California-bright pop tunes. 10 Mauricio Pessoa “Habitat” Rio-born, classically trained acoustic guitarist Pessoa recalls Caetano Veloso’s light-fingered bossa nova sway.