SOUND BITES

6  OKAY Ever since they released "the black album" a quarter century ago, Metallica has been embattled with legions of "fans" who claim everything they've done from that point "isn't metal". With that in mind, it seems every five to eight years we get an over-the-top attempt to appease the closed-minded, a contrived attempt at recreating a feeling that died with their first multi-platinum seller; a borderline tantrum to anyone saying "not metal", a petulant "is too". Hardwired may be the most contrived, desperate and disingenuous thrasher Metallica have turned out in the last 25 years. It's also a calculated bid at shushing the haters that almost works. The thing is, as decent as the tune is (and let's not get it twisted, it's a decent tune), there's that underlying feeling that it's all surface; at the end of the day (or, in this case, nearly eight years of waiting), it's thrash-by-numbers, with ...

7  GOOD Now that it's been a couple years and change since Pixies' comeback bid Indie Cindy , maybe those fickle minded fans who poo-pooed the notion of Pixies without Kim Deal on bass have relaxed. For what it's worth, the first single from the forthcoming Head Carrier LP is perfectly serviceable, with a nimble and crunchy riff and some trademark Black Francis quirkiness. New bassist Paz Lenchantin (veteran of A Perfect Circle and Zwan among others) is suitable here, and her vocals gel well enough with Francis'. It's no Where Is My Mind or Wave of Mutilation , but what is? Take it for the light slice of punk-n-roll it is, and get stoked for the fall. Head Carrier is out September 30 on Pixies Music.

7 GOOD It's better than nothing at all, but having two new songs from Brand New in as many years while we wait for the full-length follow-up to 2009's Daisy is kind of a cruel tease. That said, I Am a Nightmare takes on a completely different flavour from last year's hard and spiky Mene ; it has an almost pop-punk lean that sounds kind of like the band's early material (although sprinkled with a little Interpolesque indie spice). It sounds good, though, and feels good too. If this ends up being the only music we get from Brand New this year, I suppose it'll tide me over until that long gestating fifth LP finally sees light of day.

5 MEDIOCRE Well, this might be the most indifferent I've ever felt about a comeback single. After 22 years, one of Britain's most lauded bands finally returns with... a song? A song with a chorus, and all the musical instruments playing notes in proper places, and a beginning and end. Yes, this is most definitely a song. A song that I would never in 22,000 years rank over the singles from their two studio albums, but All for One is 100% certifiably a song. What am I supposed to say? After two decades plus away it's nice they're back but the tune is lazy, uninspired and doesn't accomplish anything in terms of the Stone Roses' legacy positive or negative? That it's just kind of there? Okay, so I said it; in summary, All for One is a song that is there.

8  GREAT Afraid of Heights , title track from Billy Talent's forthcoming fifth LP, is a typical lead single on the surface; a snappy, subdued version of their familiar guitar attack, the kind of song that gives off heavy "we need a single" vibes. However, upon further inspection, it's more than that; it's a natural maturation of their core sound and the paydirt unearthed from the exploratory impulses heard on Dead Silence . More to the point (and unlike a few past singles), it's an incredibly accessible Billy Talent song that doesn't sound forced or neutered. Afraid of Heights comes out July 29. Pre-order options can be found here .

7  GOOD It doesn't appear as though much has changed for Chevelle as they ramp up to the release of their eighth album; that said, Joyride makes good on earlier promises that the trio would bring the heavy. It's not particularly melodic or nuanced, but that hasn't really been Chevelle's M.O. for some time; Joyride prefers to get the job done with brute force, and get the job done it most certainly does. The North Corridor is coming out sometime in July.

5 MEDIOCRE Like Radiohead, the Chili Peppers worked with Nigel Godrich on their new album (mixing here rather than producing though; that's left to Danger Mouse). Also like Radiohead, the Chili Peppers released their first new single in five years this week. ALSO like Radiohead, the Chili Peppers' new tune has a noted increase in orchestral flavour. That's where the similarities end, though, because Radiohead's new single gives me hope for a vibrant, interesting and challenging record whereas Dark Necessities is like a corpse: bloated and lifeless. Oh sure, it's passable and might even grow on me; but, if the goal was to build excitement for the June 17th release of The Getaway (complete with that horrendous cover you see to the left), this song misses by a country mile.

8  GREAT If the first official taste of Radiohead's imminent ninth album is any indication, we're in for a more orchestral take on their hallmark sound. Burn the Witch isn't necessarily a rousing single, but its theatrical and sinister sonic backdrop most certainly make it an interesting listen (especially after several listens reveal more and more tension and nuance); and, coming five years after the rather dull and coolly received The King of Limbs , it definitely does its part to sate the hunger of rabid fans, who have grown delirious with anticipation for whatever is coming next.