Idolator

Welcome to On The Shelf, Idolator's weekly look at the new releases hitting store shelves and digital-music services. This week, we look at fresh albums from Maroon 5, The Used, KRS-One and Marley Marl, and the National, as well as the latest offering in the Kidz Bop series.

Maroon 5, It Won't Be Soon Before Long
The artist: Hall & Oates revivalists who command a nice chunk of change.
The sound: Blue-eyed soul with a lot of surface appeal.
The first in line: Suburban women who think Robin Thicke is a little too "edgy."

The Used, Lies For The Liars
The artist: Utahan rockers who have a brewing beef with My Chemical Romance.
The sound: The first-ever emo dis record. (We think.)
The first in line: Gerard Way.

KRS-One and Marley Marl, Hip Hop Lives
The artist: Godfathers of hip-hop respectfully offering a rebuttal to Hip Hop Is Dead.
The sound: Wise words and fresh beats being passed down to the next generation.
The first in line: Nas.

The National, Boxer
The artist: Brainy, blog-adored Brooklynites.
The sound: Weary, gorgeous, horn-tinged rock and roll.
The first in line: Weary, gorgeous, and brainy urbanites.

Kidz Bop Kidz, Kidz Bop Country
The artist: The cheeriest sixth-grade chorus ever committed to tape.
The sound: Scrubbed-up versions of "Jesus, Take The Wheel," "Life Is A Highway," and other twangy hits.
The first in line: Elementary school gym teachers in the heartland.

On The CD Front [Pause & Play]