CC recommends

Dave Bazan, Curse Your Branches. Bazan’s confessional songwriting is dark and intense, but his impeccable craft makes it a pleasure. Bazan has put out album after album (many as Pedro the Lion) of precisely described internal turmoil set to spare rock and roll—with delectable pop hooks, here more confident and lilting than ever. Branches is a post-evangelical twist on a breakup record, chronicling in messy detail Bazan’s traumatic loss of a deeply personal faith. It’s moving to hear him wrestle with questions of theodicy within the confines of personal-relationship theology: God is either his very good friend or his very bad enemy.

Steve Earle, Townes. Notorious for his outspoken activism and his past substance abuse, Earle is also one of the best country singers alive. Here he pays tribute to his mentor, Texas songwriter Townes Van Zandt. The subtle, mostly acoustic arrangements make their plugged-in moments count (notably in a guest appearance by guitarist Tom Morello). It’s a great set from a peerless catalog and well performed. The only flaw is that Earle avoids the excellent gospel numbers from late in Van Zandt’s career.

Monsters of Folk, Monsters of Folk. The ensemble vocals are the highlight as indie folk stars Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes, Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket and solo artist M. Ward join in shimmering harmonies and spirited choruses. Many of the songs are pretty good, too, especially Ward’s unique takes on classic folk melody and pre-war pop whimsy. The album focuses frequently on spiritual themes in a way that, if not especially mature, is inquisitive, creative and good-humored.