Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

There’s a quiet riot going on—and it’s not heavy metal. It’s the resurgence of American folk music, seen in the popularity of Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom and in Bruce Springsteen tackling ditties like “Froggie Went a-Courting” on The Seeger Sessions. Cooder, ever the musicologist, goes one better, producing an entire album of animal-themed folk songs about a feline named Buddy Red Cat and recruiting banjo legends Mike and Pete Seeger and other guests to join him. It’s a hootenanny and it’s heating up. Mar. 13

Elkas earned his performance stripes fronting Montreal indie rockers Local Rabbits, before winning serious songwriter cred with his solo debut, Party of One, a collection of sensitive pop that drew comparisons to Ron Sexsmith. Elkas’ excellent sophomore effort, produced by Charlie Sexton, also hints at Sexsmith’s influence. But songs like the soulful title track, with its slow burn and sweet falsetto, is reminiscent of Bill Withers, while the tender, slinky “Something Beaming” suggests Jesse Winchester. Folky, funky, r&b bliss. Mar. 13

They used to be known as Rainbow Butt Monkeys, but then the dudes from Burlington, Ont. came to their senses. Or maybe not. Anyway, Finger Eleven could care less ever since its ballad “One Thing” became such a monster hit. The alt-rock band’s fourth album offers more of the same, predictably shifting, hard-soft dynamics on songs like “Lost My Way” and “Easy Life.” And the monotonous thump of “Paralyzer” threatens to make that track as ubiquitous (and irritating) on the airwaves as “One Thing.” Pity. Mar. 13