New Albums

* Michelle Shocked, “Deep Natural,” Mighty Sound. Miles from her old epistolary folkiness, but her passion, vision and appeal galvanize and unify what may be her most ambitious album.

Also:

Apex Theory, “Topsy-Turvy,” DreamWorks

Doc Watson and Frosty Morn, “Round the Table Again,” Sugar Hill Records

Tami Hart, “What Passed Between Us,” Mr. Lady

The Mars Volta, “Tremulant” (EP), GSL

Shana Morrison, “7 Wishes,” Vanguard

Regency Buck, “Deliverance,” DreamWorks

The Reputation, “The Reputation,” Initial

Stew, “The Naked Dutch Painter and Other Songs,” Smile/Image

Otis Taylor, “Respect the Dead,” NorthernBlues

Tweet, “Southern Hummingbird,” Elektra

The Walkmen, “Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone,” Star Time

Various artists, “This Is Where I Belong: The Songs of Ray Davies and the Kinks,” Rykodisc