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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    

Roxy Music’s elegant clotheshorse has always had his nostalgic side, tripping down Tin Pan Alley to tackle Gershwin and others on 1999’s As Time Goes By. Ferry’s also done Dylan before, but goes hog wild here with an entire album of Bobsongs. Some are bad choices, including the overdone “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and Ferry’s rocking rendition of “The Times They Are A-Changin.’” But “Positively 4th Street” gets some cool string embellishments and Brian Eno works his sonic magic on “If Not for You.”