Death Cab for Cutie
Narrow Stairs
(Atlantic)

Seventh album from Death Cab - and the second after being called up to the majors - finds them in familiar territory: anthemic arrangements, crisp Walla production and heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak.

Dosh
Wolves and Wishes
(Anticon)

If you've seen Andrew Bird live, chances are Peter Dosh was backing him up. His album of electronic music features appearances by Bird, Will Oldham and others.

The Grails
Take Refuge in Clean Living
(Important)

Seems like instrumental (read: "post-rock") bands are a dime a dozen these days, but the Grails are worth checking out, combining the psychedelic scope of early Floyd with the ambience of Eno.

We Are Scientists
Brain Thrust Mastery
(Astralwerks)

With its third album, the duo of Keith Murray and Chris Cane looks to shake the hipster/dance-rock also-ran feeling that accompanied the modest success of With Love and Squalor.