New Albums

* Mia Doi Todd, “In a Foreign Land,” Columbia. The major label debut from the Silver Lake, California resident. Todd’s lyrics are often intensely intimate--sometimes uncomfortably so, sounding like pages from a personal journal not meant for others to read, from the declaration of strength that is “Independence Day” to the startling post-sex poetry of “Poppy Fields.” The music is just as arresting, generally eschewing the standard pop verse-chorus structures. At the center is her remarkable voice, a full, round instrument that shows her childhood operatic training and seems all the more stunning coming from this slight, meek-seeming woman.”

*

Also:

Berlin, “Voyeur,” iMusic

Bjork, “Greatest Hits,” Elektra

The Blind Boys of Alabama, “Higher Ground,” Real World

Aaron Carter, “Another Earthquake,” Jive Records

Idaho, “We Were Young and Needed the Money,” Iahomusic/

Retrophonic

The Negro Problem, “Welcome Back,” Smile Records/Image Entertainment

Nightmares on Wax, “Mind Elevation,” Warp

Supreme Beings of Leisure, “Divine Operation System,” Palm