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'Warren Zevon' gives again

Above: Warren Zevon, Jackson Browne and an all-star backup band in 1976.

His first big-label album was not Warren Zevon’s best, but as much as any that followed, it exhibited the traits, techniques and impulses that made him a cult star and anti-pop hero.

New CDs: Eagles 'Long Road,' Dylan soundtrack

Several recording giants have new records out today with their names on them. Topping the list:

The Eagles (above), who released "Long Road Out of Eden" but only in your local Wal-Mart -- or you can order it at the band's Web site here.

Bob Dylan, who is the focus of a two-disc tribute via the soundtrack to his biopic, "I'm Not There."

Carrie Underwood, who drops her sophomore album, "Carnival Ride."

Levon Helm, who works with friends Steve Earle and Buddy and Julie Miller on "Dirt Farmer."

Avenge Sevenfold, "Avenge Sevenfold."

And as if it were 1998 all over again, Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys also release records today.

New CDs: Foo Fighters, Jill Scott, Steve Earle

Today isn't one of those Super Tuesdays, but several noteworthy bands and singer/songwriters released new CDs, today:

Steve Earle: "Washington Square Serenade". Listen to the entire album here.

Foo Fighters: "Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace". Listen to the entire album here.

Iron & Wine: "The Shephard's Dog". Listen to the entire album here.

Jill Scott: "The Real Thing: Words and Sounds, Vol. 3"

Billy Joe Shaver: "Everybody's Brother"

KINGS OF LEON: "TIMES" IS GOOD

Above: Caleb and the Followill boys storm-troop through "Black Thumbnail," a cut off the brand-new "Because of the Times," which comes out Tuesday.

| KINGS OF LEON

‘Because of the Times’

(RCA)

* * *

Even before they released their debut album in 2003, the Kings of Leon faced a challenge: Create music that is as interesting as the stories and myths that surround it.

The Kings are four members of the Followill clan: three brothers and a cousin from Tennessee with religion, scandal and backwoods pathos in their past. A synopsis of their lives might read: “Three brothers and a cousin start successful band despite spending part of their boyhoods living in a car with their itinerant father/uncle, Leon Followill, a defrocked Pentecostal minister who hated rock music.”

Whether it was the music or their bio or both, the first Kings’ album, “Youth and Young Manhood,” stirred up some heavy pre-release buzz. Its stripped-down vibe, however, inspired lots of lazy comparisons to the Strokes and other rock revivalists of the time. The followup, “Aha Shake Heartbreak,” was more of the same musically but with raunchier blues and better songwriting.

CD REVIEW | 'L TUNES: MUSIC FROM THE L WORD'

After the jump hear two tracks from "L Tunes: Music From and Inspired By The L Word." Tim reviewed it in Tuesday's FYI section.

The tracks: PJ Harvey's "Down By the Water" and Tori Amos' "A Sorta Fairytale."