3/11/2026

Squeeze- Trixies (2026)- ***1/2

U.K.- Danger Money (1979)- ****
(I've always considered the band's debut the better record because I love Bill Bruford so much. But Terry Bozzio is no slouch, and this has better songs.) 

Quarteto Novo- S/T (1967)- ****
(One and done with Airto Moreira, Heraldo Do Monte, Theo De Barros and Hermeto Pascoal. Fantastic!
Thanks pmac.)

Paul Gilbert- WROC (2026)- ***
(How's this for a concept--George Washington's Rules of Civility as 13 rock anthems? Good fun and, of course, amazing guitar playing throughout. Might have gotten another 1/2 star if it was 37 minutes long instead of 57 minutes long.) 

Todd Rundgren- White Knight (2017)- ***1/2

Frumpy- All Will Be Changed (1970)- **
(Lots of overplaying with no real songs. Like Deep Purple, with worse everything.)

Dr. Z- Three Parts To My Soul (1971)- **
(The cheapest original copy of this prog "classic" is currently going for $3100...plus $15 shipping. All Music said this, "At its most inventive and textured, however, Three Parts is an excellent example of early-'70s prog at its deepest and darkest, as inventive as it is occasionally magpie-like." I'm a fan of progressive rock, but I guess others use that term more loosely than I do. This record did nothing for me. The playing isn't particularly exciting. The drum solo in track three is not even as good as Little Ricky's was on "I Love Lucy." To my ears, this is Spinal Tap, only not funny. Check it out.)

The Lemon Twigs- A Dream Is All We Know (2024)- ****
(The kids have a new single out now and a new record in May. Love the single.)

Faces- Long Player (1971)- ****

Elvis Costello & Lucinda Williams- Crossroads (2002)- ****
(While digging for the "Spectacle" audio, I found this too. It's good! It's HERE, if you want it.)

3/10/2026

v/a- The Bestacle Of Spectacle (2026)- ****
Jackson Heights- Ragamuffins Fool (1972)- ***

New Age Doom feat. H.R.- Angels Against Angels (2026)- ****
(I was unaware of this "drone metal" band prior to this record and it only caught my eye because I am a Bad Brains fan. I really enjoyed this collab. Trippy and dubby, nasty and atmospheric, with H.R's unique vocalizing. I won't try to sell this to you, but it hit the spot...for me.)

Marvin Gaye- What's Going On: Kevin Gray Master (1971/2022)- ****
(Good news is, this record never gets old. Bad news is, this record never gets old.)

Fugazi- Albini Sessions: Benefit For Letters Charity (2026)- **1/2

APB- Something To Believe In (1985)- ****
(Compilation of some of my favorite singles of the early 80's.)

 

 

Davey Lane- Finally, A Party Record (2025)- ****
(One of my favorites of 2025, I think I like it even more now. This lost traction pretty quick on Burning Wood. I think if you missed it, you need to listen.)

 

Joe Jackson- Presents Max Champion In "What A Racket" (2023)- ****
The Kinks- Could've Been New Album: An hpunch Creation (2025)- ***

 

3/9/2026

The Who- Sell Out: Japanese True Stereo (1967/2021) - **** 

The Smiths- Essentials: Edit (2024/2026)- **
(I didn't like this band then, and I don't like them now. Actually, the band is fine. Morrissey is just a horrible vocalist. Unbearable at times.)

v/a- Jin Records: 1966-1967 (2026)- ***1/2
The La's- S/T (1990)- ****
Mike Keneally w/Andy Partridge- Wing Beat Elastic: Remixes, Demos & Unheard Music (2012)-***
Radiohead- The King Off Limbs (2011)- **
Elvis Costello & the Attractions- Blood & Chocolate (1986)- ****
The Rascals- Groovin': MONO (1967)- ****
Elton John- Honky Chateau (1972)- ****

3/8/2026

Mavis Staples- One True Vine (2013)- ****
Aretha Franklin- Aretha Arrives (1967)- ****
Peter Tosh- Wanted Dread & Alive (1981)- ***1/2
Split Enz- Stuff & Nonsense: A Personal Playlist (2026)- ***1/2
Manfred Mann Chapter Three- S/T (1969)- **1/2
Todd Rundgren- Faithful (1976)- ****
Psychedelic Furs- Mirror Moves (1984)- ****
Tomorrow- S/T (1968)- ****
Robyn Hitchcock- Shufflemania! (2022)- ****
Mod Lang- Borrowed Time (2026)- ***
The Slits- Cut (1979)- ****

3/7/2026

Duwayne Burnside- Red Rooster (2025)- ***1/2
v/a- Trojan Presents: Mento & R&B (2011)- ****

Flashcubes- Pop Masters (2013)-****
(Fun power pop covers collection featuring a few special guests from the original bands who songs are covered.)

The Kinks- Picture Book AND: An hpunch Compilation (2025)- ****
(Thoughtfully compiled by the biggest Kinks fan I know. Solid collection of stray tracks.)

Jesper Lindell- 3614 Jackson Highway (2026)- ***
(Ex-football player turned Swedish soul singer records an album in Muscle Shoals with Swedish musicians and a tracklist of songs from Memphis and Nashville and liner notes written by Joe Henry. Alrighty then. Not a bad listen, just a bit confusing. He's a good singer for a football player I guess, but he's no great singer.)

Billy Bremner- Bash! (1984)- ****
Agitation Free- 2nd (1973)- ***1/2
Split Enz- Time & Tide (1982)- ***1/2
Bad Brains- I Against I (1986)- ****
The Legal Matters- Lost At Sea (2026)- ****
Motorhead- Bomber (1979)- ****

3/6/2026

Squeeze- Trixies (2026)- ***1/2
Southern Culture On The Skids- Dirt Track Date (1995)- ****
NRBQ- All Hopped Up (1977)- ****
Squeeze- Trixies (2026)- ***1/2
 

3/5/2026

Brave New World- Impressions On Reading Aldous Huxley (1972)- ****
(This was new to me, another excellent find in Vertigo's first 100 releases. Best described as Kraftwerk meets Yusef Lateef during the "Atom Heart Mother" sessions. Incredibly effective.)

Squeeze- Trixies (2026)- ***
(This needs a few more spins before my final decision. But first pass was underwhelming.)

Genesis- Wind & Wuthering (1976)- ****

Paul McCartney & Elvis Costello- Flowers In The Dirt Demos (2017)- ****
(The nine demos on the deluxe version of "Flowers In The Dirt" are some of my favorite things of all time. But there are more, with three appearing on a limited cassette, and two from U.K. singles. I had to have them all in one place, so I made a mix, which is HERE for you, if you into it.)

The Hi-Risers- In The Spotlight (2001)- ****
(Greg Townson's band before Los Straitjackets on a rec from my friend Jeff K. This snapped me out of my record-breaking stupor. Here are two faves.) 

 


Paul McCartney- McCartney II (1980)- ****

The Masonics- You Can Tell, Its... The Masonics: 18 Rock 'N' Roll And Rhythm & Blues Greats Of The '50s And '60s! (2026)- **
(These guys just don't have it. Great songs to cover, but they sucked the life out of most of'em. Listen to The Hi-Risers instead.)

Crash Street Kids- Little Girls (1982)- ***1/2