In her own librarian-like way, Laura Veirs has gradually carved out a niche for herself as a pastoral indie folk hero. On her sixth album, the qualified geologist certainly has her rockier moments (musically) with her band, the Saltbreakers, while producer Tucker Martine manages to keep Veirs' musical vision anchored in the ocean. Cellos make whale sounds, violins sound like nightingales and flying fish flit across the top of the mix. Veirs, meanwhile, sounds impassioned - like Suzanne Vega OD'ing on wheatgrass shots. It's revenge of the nerds all right. Download: 'To The Country', 'Saltbreakers', 'Pink Light' Neil Dunphy Modest Mouse We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank SonyBMG (45m 43s) .I've had the fifth album from Isaac Brock and co on my iPod for the past two months and I still can't fathom it. Musically, lyrically and vocally frantic, this is a major letdown from a band that in some parts it is a treasonable offence to criticise. Johnny Marr (yes, that Johnny Marr) is present but audibly absent, while James Mercer of the Shins brings harmonies to a few tracks. But so what? The songs stumble from one to the next, lacking any cohesive melodies, ultimately drowning in their own delusions of grandeur. Download:

'Fire It Up', 'Missed The Boat', 'Education' ND Air Pocket Symphony Virgin (52m 03s) . . . .

From the opening notes on French duo Nicolas Godin and Jean-Beno�t Dunckel's fifth full album it is clear that this is the real follow-up to 1998's crossover hit 'Moon Safari'.

A little way in, the comforting minor chord electronica becomes embellished with a deliberately offkey Jarvis Cocker. Air know that all a late-night lullaby needs is a simple melody. Dunckel, perhaps realising that his voice is more soporific than dreamlike, later allows Neil Hannon's baritone to work its Xanax-like charm. And all is right with the world. Download:

'Somewhere Between Waking And Sleeping', 'Napalm Love', 'Photograph' ND Alison Krauss A Hundred Miles Or More Rounder Records (67m 37s) . . .

Hayseed Dixie excepted, Alison Krauss has over the past 20 years helped to make bluegrass music hip (again? ). And if you haven't the time to trawl the 10 albums she has made since 1987, the 16 tracks here are a good entry point.

Highlights include 'Down To The River To Pray' from the 'O Brother Where Art Thou?' soundtrack plus the 1984 global No1 hit 'Missing You' with John Waite. There are also a number of previously unreleased tracks that will please country lovers. Download: 'Simple Love', 'Missing You', 'Down To The River To Pray' ND