CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN La Costa Perdida [429] It’s not really a surprise Camper Van Beethoven’s first new album in nine years is full of quirky sounds and whimsical, borderline satirical lyrics. Effectively the mischievous older sibling of founding frontman David Lowrey’s other famous band, Cracker, CVB sounds as if they never went on hiatus. Following in the lyrical footsteps of its best-known songs—”Where the Hell Is Bill?” and “Take... 

NEW YORK DOLLS Dancing Backward in High Heels [429] Dancing Backward in High Heels continues the New York Dolls’ remarkably unexpected, and just plain remarkable, reunion. On their third 21st-century release—more than they managed during their original ’70s run—surviving original members David Johansen and Syl Sylvain are joined by returning reunion-era drummer Brian Delaney, onetime Blondie guitarist Frank Infante and bass player Jason Hill.... 

DR. JOHN AND THE LOWER 911 Tribal [429] The advance hype on Tribal posited it as Dr. John’s funkiest and earthiest in years, as if anything Mac Rebennack touches could possibly not be funky and earthy. But there is something to be said for the rest of the hype. The album more than vaguely recalls those early records when he was still billed as “Dr. John the Night Tripper”—a time when his mesh of otherworldly, slinky voodoo and the deepest...