The Strokes

Long-awaited new music from The Strokes; a first-ever solo studio CD by former Kinks frontman Ray Davies; Tortoise and Bonnie Prince Billy collaborate on a new CD; Richard and Linda Thompson's son Teddy Thompson; Irish fiddle music from Liz Carroll; A cappella Ladysmith Black Mambazo; A saxophone improvisation by Assif Tsahar; Whimsical, trippy rock from The Earlies; Hardcore and soft, but Tender Forever.

It certainly is the age of the song. The days of the MP3 aren't so different from the days of the 45 rpm. You pay a buck; the quality is good, but not as good as its more expensive counterpart. Back in the days of the 45, you'd stack your faves on a round 45 adapter, best side up, and one by one they would play, the tone arm lifting off the record long enough for the next 45 to magically fall onto the platter and play. You'd hope it wouldn't skip. The days of the 45 or even mix tapes seem antiquated in the age of the iPod and homemade CD's. We've "streamed" our picks for 2003's best songs, so click to listen and hope it doesn't skip!

First Impressions of Earth is the third album by the Strokes. The record offers some self-criticism — and some frantic career adjustment in the midst of the music. The Strokes begin a 17-city tour on March 3.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Is This It, the debut CD of the New York quintet, The Strokes. (RCA Re