STORY OF THE YEAR

“The Constant”

***

HEADBANGING metal is safe in the hands of St. Louis rockers Story of the Year, fronted by singer Dan Marsala. The quintet’s new record is well titled, because SOTY hasn’t exactly reinvented the electric guitar since the band’s 2003 mainstream bow, “Page Avenue.” The new collection sticks with their tested formula, one that balances the assault of metal with an appreciation for pop hooks.

Opener “The Children Sing” references Pink Floyd’s youth choir in “Another Brick in the Wall.” Here, the kids have that same “Lord of the Flies” evil in their voices as they sing the chorus “Don’t take this world away from me.” With its wall of guitar and drumbeats, this tune sets the metal bar for the rest of the album.

Although the band falters when it gets a little too radio-friendly, as it does on the piano ballad “Holding On to You” and the power pop of “I’m Alive,” this album finds Story can still make news.

VARIOUS ARTISTS

“Preservation”

****

IN New Orleans right now, Mardi Gras is raging: There’s dancing in the streets, beads are getting tossed to revelers from parade floats, and Dixieland jazz is everywhere. For an alcohol-free sip of the Big Easy, check out “Preservation,” a traditional, upbeat Dixieland jazz album that bows on Fat Tuesday. This timeless masterpiece features the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band on each track getting vocal help from an all-star guest list.

There isn’t a dud among the 19 tracks. Still, if there had to be one pivotal performance, it’s Tom Waits’ cover of “Tootie Ma Is a Big Fine Thing.” The song, a mix of tradition and today, is inspired, from the rolling drums and blasts of brass to Waits’ unusually sexy gravel-growl. It’s a close call on who’s delivered the most beautiful vocals here: Richie Havens is very smooth on “Trouble in Mind,” and Merle Haggard has fun with “Basin Street Blues,” but Angelique Kidjo singing in French for “La Vie En Rose” is stunning.

JULIANA HATFIELD

“Peace and Love”

***

EXPECT nothing, and you’re rarely disappointed. Juliana Hatfield never sold loads of records — even when she was the mastermind of the Boston indie outfit the Blake Babies — so her new effort, “Peace and Love,” has an undeniable quality of nothing-left-to-lose freedom. The singer/songwriter turned this album into a complete solo project by playing all the instruments, producing and engineering the music in her apartment.

The approach paid off, resulting in a stripped-down collection of very personal music that seems to be all heart and soul. There’s also musical variety, from the coffeehouse hum-and-strum style of the opening title track to the electric guitar solo on “What Is Wrong.” This record has a simple, relaxed undercurrent that suits Hatfield’s emotional, honest delivery.