Skip the tame first installment of Ray Davies’ polarizing rock opera for this sprawling, stunningly produced conclusion to the battle between Mr. Black and Mr. Flash for control over England. Highlights include the tuba and clarinet-driven “Scum of the Earth” and the swinging “Slum Kids.” To be honest, “Preservation Act 2” is definitely no “Tommy” as rock operas go—one very confused listen might be enough.

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“Crack the Skye” – Mastodon (2009)

Although not as aurally abrasive as 2006’s “Blood Mountain,” this recent release from prog-metal’s ambassadors has a storyline that the writers of “Doctor Who” would probably reject as too bizarre. A paraplegic flies too close to the sun, ends up having his soul transplanted into the body of Rasputin, and meets the Devil after failing to usurp the throne of the tsar. A true standout among the swath of Russo-Icaro-Hawkingpunk records released in the past few years.

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“The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars” – David Bowie (1972)

Over forty years later, the lyrics are still weird. Only the Thin White Duke can write lines like “So where were the spiders while the fly tried to break our balls? / Just the beer light to guide us,” off the album’s sort-of title track. Fans looking for another way to appreciate this monument of glam-rock should check out Seu Jorge’s acoustic and Lusitanized covers of its songs produced for Wes Anderson’s “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.”

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