THIS WEEK

Other new releases

Justin Roberts: Recess (Carpet Square; photo by Todd Rosenberg)
He writes tough power-pop tunes. He just happens to write them for kids (read: “families,” in the preferred parlance of current “kindie” rockers). That doesn’t make these 12 tunes any less excellent. In the photo above, Justin’s the guy with the guitar, surrounded by his crackerjack band, the Not Ready for Naptime Players. They’re all ready to rock listeners of any age. So, if those back-to-school ads that are already showing up on TV have you sweating, then pack everyone in the minivan, pick a favorite drive, slide Recess into the CD slot, and (with a nod to elder statesman Alice Cooper) sing along with the chorus to Track 11: “There’s no doubt that school’s out.” Cuz, attention, all you TV mad men: It’s still summer, and school’s still out.

Marc Anthony: 3.0 (Sony Latin)
Salsa album.

Selena Gomez: Stars Dance (Hollywood)
She turned 21 yesterday, and after three pop albums with the Scene, she now turns solo and ramps up the dance indeed.

Grant Hart: The Argument (Domino)
Ex-Hüsker Dü drummer releases a 20-track concept album based on John Milton’s Paradise Lost.

Guy Clark: My Favorite Picture of You (Dualtone)
Veteran singer/songwriter’s first studio album in 4 years. The title track refers to his wife of 40 years, who died in 2012.

Sara Hickman: Shine (Kirtland)
Her primary collaborator here is L.A. producer/writer/multi-instrumentalist Jim Jacobsen.

The Winery Dogs: The Winery Dogs (Loud & Proud)
Power trio of drummer Mike Portnoy, bassist Billy Sheehan, and guitarist/vocalist Richie Kotzen.