Exploring the great wide open with Trampled by Turtles and their Southern and Western musical neighbors.

My Morning Jacket walks the live wire, and Archers of Loaf return in full ‘Decline.’

Wild Pink loves you, and Plains leads listeners on a walk.

Alvvays keeps moving, and Open Mike Eagle does right by himself—and us.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs cool it down, while The Bad Plus plays it hot.

Beth Orton creates quiet, stormy symphonies while Nikki Lane gets high and low.

Iron and Wine offers a bit of consolation, and a chance to peer into Joan Didion’s notebook.

Joshua Redman more than gets by with the help of his friends.

The Gaslight Anthem charges on, and an Irish author vacillates between “Haven” and hell.

Ezra Furman’s “Flames” burn bright, while Katie Gutierrez examines the many lives within one person.