Nietzsche said that without music life would be a mistake. Get it right and start listening to these five albums.
> The Rapture, In The Grace of Your Love. After a five-year hiatus, the N.Y.C. dance-rockers rejoin their original label and reemerge with a set of euphoric disco bangers, guitar rock, and straight-up pop. (Out now, DFA)
> Blondie, Panic of Girls. The legends return with their ninth studio album, a collection of breezy reggae tracks. Don't let the mellower direction fool you--the band backs away from the bong long enough to deliver an onslaught of uppercuts during the choruses. (Out now, Eleven Seven)
> Tori Amos, Night of Hunters. Our favorite pianist kook recruits a chamber orchestra--and her 11-year-old daughter, Natashya--for a record inspired by classical pieces spanning the last 400 years. (September 20, Deutsche Grammophon) Read our interview with Tori Amos here.
> Bjork, Biophilia. Iceland's finest pop export gets interactive on her latest: She'll release 10 corresponding iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad apps for the album's 10 tracks, each featuring "an interactive game based on the song's scientific and musical subject matter" where users can manipulate what they're listening to. (September 27, Nonesuch/One Little Indian)
> Penguin Prison, Penguin Prison. Chris Glover -- a.k.a. Penguin Prison -- grew up on a steady diet of country, disco, and punk rock, so it's not surprising the sound of his debut is unclassifiable. No matter -- this mix of technology-driven pop and introspective lyrics is undeniable. (October 11, Downtown Records)
