King Khan & the Shrines/Hell Shovel/Obnox

For nearly 15 years, Montreal-born King Khan has led his grungey garage rock outfit the Shrines to drink from the same musical well that inspired jazz freak Sun Ra and funk soul brother James Brown. The band's latest album, Idle No More, is its most refined yet. But that's not to imply that Khan has lost his edge. Opening number "Born to Die" sounds like the Doors but ups the quotient of psychedelic-ness. Jangly numbers such as "Bite My Tongue" and "Better Luck Next Time" have pop tendencies that turn them into songs you could actually sing along to. Khan reportedly entered therapy before making the album. While we wouldn't want to insist he take that approach each time he records a new album, it certainly reaped dividends this time around. (Niesel)