Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Another husband-and-wife pairing, Ghost Stories is Kreviazuk’s fourth CD and her first produced entirely by hubby and Our Lady Peace frontman Raine Maida. Recorded in the couple’s Malibu home studio, the album provides an intimate showcase for Kreviazuk’s emotional brand of piano pop. Although the addition of lush strings on the title track and “Waiting for the Sun” seems like an unnecessary burden, songs like the rhythmic “Spoke in Tongues” and the gospel-like “So Cold” are stark reminders of her confessional talent. Aug. 22   

Led by husband and wife Dave Azzolini and Jessica Grassia, Toronto’s Golden Dogs has been winning an enviable buzz as a frenetic live act in clubs and festivals. The band’s second album, with a myriad of pop influences, should solidify that reputation. “Runouttaluck” has a driving, new-wave-style urgency, while “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five” is a rollicking rendition of the Paul McCartney & Wings classic. And “Construction Worker” would not sound out of place on a New Pornographers album. Aug. 15

Recorded at Lee’s Palace in Toronto, this double CD proves Neko Case right when she calls The Sadies “the best live band in North America.” The songs, a mix of covers and originals from the psychobilly band’s albums, are mostly played at breakneck speed, with Dallas and Travis Good pushing each other to frenzied heights. Guests include family bluegrass greats The Good Brothers, Blue Rodeo, Band organist Garth Hudson and Case herself, who graces seven tracks with her breathtaking vocals. A thrilling two-hour ride. Aug. 8

Teng is a Stanford grad and former computer geek who worked for software giant Cisco Systems in California’s Silicon Valley. But you’d never know it listening to this album, which is neither soulless nor calculating. Rather, the 27-year-old singer-pianist, working with producer Larry Klein (Madeleine Peyroux), crafts emotionally rich songs like the celebratory “City Hall” and the exquisite “Whatever You Want.” Add string-laden numbers like “Now Three” and her music sounds like a kind of luxurious chamber folk. July 25

San Francisco musician-activist Franti has never pulled his political punches (one of his songs, “Bomb the World,” even drew the ire of the FBI). Franti’s latest, inspired by travels to Baghdad, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, is radical stuff, with the singer-rapper calling for revolution on the incendiary title track. But Franti sweetens his message with bubbly reggae rhythms from Sly and Robbie and guest vocals from Pink on the joyous pop gem “One Step Closer to You.” Like Bob Marley crossed with UB40. July 25   

Jerry Garcia’s band had their Deadheads, while Jimmy Buffett has his Parrotheads. The fans of Tex-Mex rockers Los Lonely Boys are known as “Loopies,” who’ll undoubtedly be pleased with this followup to the group’s 2004 multiplatinum-selling debut. The Garza brothers, guitarist Henry, bassist Jojo and drummer Ringo (really), recruit Willie Nelson and their father, Tejano musician Enrique Garza Sr., on the country-rocking “Outlaws,” while tracks like “Oye Mamacita” bear an uncanny resemblance to (what else?) Santana. July 18   

The Minneapolis alt-rockers were once overshadowed by fellow homies Hüsker Dü and The Replacements. But that was before frontman Dave Pirner started dating Winona Ryder and the band topped the charts, amid cries of sell out, with the slick “Runaway Train.” Soul Asylum’s first album since the death of bassist Karl Mueller isn’t going to win back old fans. Songs like “Stand Up and Be Strong” and “Crazy Mixed Up World,” which Pirner wrote on becoming a dad, are overly earnest, instantly forgettable anthems. July 11

Buffalo’s fiercely independent, openly bisexual punk folkie makes albums that are equally political and personal. DiFranco’s latest is no exception. The title track and “Millennium Theater” both cite the curse of patriarchy, while the cautionary “Decree” urges, “Step up and forfeit your frontal lobe to the sexed up strobe of celebrity.” Just when her stridency begins to irritate, DiFranco delivers a jazz-tinged, poetic ballad like “Hypnotized” so tender that she could win over the most jaded, non-partisan listener. July 11

Still ramblin’ at nearly 75, Elliott’s been around since Woody Guthrie. A onetime cowboy turned hobo, he’s hung out with beatniks and Deadheads and starred in Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder roadshow. His flat-picking is vintage folk-blues and his voice, now deliciously craggy, bears the mark of many traveled miles on songs like “Arthritis Blues” and “Leaving Cheyenne.” Despite the presence of fans like Lucinda Williams and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea, Elliott, a bona fide living legend, owns the whole spotlight. July 11

Toronto has long been the beneficiary of a pipeline that brought top-notch musicians from Kingston to Canada. This handsome compilation, the first in a series, digs up the best soul, funk and reggae recorded in the T-Dot from 1967-74. Standout numbers include Jackie Mittoo’s funky keyboard nugget “Grand Funk,” Noel Ellis’ sweet reggae “Memories” and the Mighty Pope’s soulful workout “Mr. Fortune.” But tracks by Lloyd Delpratt, The Cougars and Jo-Jo & the Fugitives are equally crucial, rediscovered gems. July 11