New and Notable

Billy Bragg & Wilco, “Mermaid Avenue Volume 2,” Elektra. This second foray into the vaults of Woody Guthrie’s “lost” lyrics might be even better than the original. Bragg and Wilco are more comfortable with the territory, crafting music that is stamped with their own identities yet always serving Guthrie’s words perfectly. (Steve Hochman)

Eminem, “The Marshall Mathers LP,” Aftermath/Interscope. The rapper puts on disc all the forbidden thoughts and scandalous scenarios that accompany adolescence and just watches the fallout. The creative advance is in the way he weaves more autobiographical elements into the lyrics. (Robert Hilburn)

Gloria Estefan, “Alma Caribena,” Epic. Estefan’s voice has gained in color and depth over time, and she sounds reassuringly at home with this Afro-Caribbean material. (Ernesto Lechner)

Don Henley, “Inside Job,” Warner Bros. Despite some grating social commentary, this is personal and affecting music. Henley is most rewarding in a series of songs about a family man’s blessings. (Robert Hilburn)

Lucy Pearl, “Lucy Pearl,” Pookie Records/Beyond Music. Sexy fun from this modern R&B; supergroup, in the neighborhood of D’Angelo or Maxwell, but more like hanging out on the street than cocooning in the boudoir. (Natalie Nichols)

Various artists, “Music From and Inspired by Mission: Impossible 2,” Hollywood. Limp Bizkit’s crafty treatment of Lalo Schifrin’s television theme and Metallica’s maiden voyage into soundtrack waters help this deftly assembled collection accomplishes its mission in blockbuster style. (Sandy Masuo)