Sound Bites

Radio 4, Stealing of a Nation: Something tells me the 12 new songs from this rhythmic Brooklyn indie act must be experienced live because they sound like little more than stoned indie rockers messing around with Acid loops for the first time. There's just enough Gang of Four-style instrumentation here to faintly resemble the band's former self. Otherwise, this spit-shined follow-up to 2002's invigorating Gotham! is lacking Radio 4's gritted groove, spastic energy and impassioned delivery.--MP

The John Butler Trio, What You Want. Alert! Alert! White guy with dreads! Pop this disc in, though, and you'll find yourself forgiving homeboy for the Wonder Bread nap. What You Want is as pleasantly potent as a parking-lot spliff at a Phish show. Think Dave Matthews with a few extra chest hairs, a fang or two; better yet, Butler has an ability to leap up an octave without mewling like a baby seal. What You Want's six jams whirl with their own home-brewed sense of the exotic, familiar but adventurous, and frequently exhilarating.--AK