New Albums

* Red Hot Chili Peppers, “By the Way,” Warner Bros. Lacks the striking spareness of “Californication,” but when they head into the landscape of the eternal hangover, the Peppers provide comfort even as they search for it.

Also:

Bobby Bare Jr., “Young Criminals’ Starvation League,” Bloodshot

Counting Crows, “Hard Candy,” Geffen

Cousteau, “Sirena,” Palm Pictures

DJ Spooky, “Optometry,” Thirsty Ear

Glassjaw, “Worship & Tribute,” Warner Bros.

Kieran Kane, “The Blue Chair,” Dead Reckoning/Compendia

Mario, “Mario,” J

Mighty Mighty Bosstones, “Jackknife to a Swan,” Side One Dummy

Abra Moore, “No Fear,” J

Orbital, “Back to Mine,” DMC

Dolly Parton, “Halos & Horns,” Sugar Hill

Tabla Beat Science, “Live in San Francisco,” Palm Pictures