Album

Paul Simon – The Paul Simon Songbook

Long unavailable album recorded in London in one hour in May 1965, between Simon & Garfunkel's Wednesday Morning 3am and Sounds Of Silence

Bob Dylan

"Through the camera of Bob Dylan's drummer, Mickey Jones," the opening credits promise. Yes, Jones was there. But the problem is he was more interested in filming hotels and tourist haunts than chronicling Dylan's progress. Then, when it came to the incendiary shows, he was to be found behind drum kit rather than camera. Not much Bob, then. But Dylanologists will still be fascinated by Jones' eyewitness account as he talks us through the electrifying events all over again.

To Rococo Rot – Hotel Morgen

Elegant seventh album from German post-rock/electronic trio

Eagles Of Death Metal – Peace Love Death Metal

Devil-worshipping southern boogie, courtesy of Josh Homme

Ssh! Art In Progress

First CD release for forgotten '71 psych-folk masterpiece from short-lived Aussie group

Pretenders

A close-to-classic 'intimate' set, filmed in the mid-'90s at London's Jacob St Studios. Chrissie Hynde and trusted band, assisted by a string quartet, loll luxuriously through such sultry charmers as "Kid","Private Life" and "Lovers Of Today", while Damon Albarn trots on as guest star to tinkle the ivories. There's also a stab at Radiohead's "Creep", with Hynde in sublime voice. A rock icon who's also one of the great white soul singers.

Pietra – Montecorvino

Traditional Neapolitan melodies fused with North African rhythms

Tortoise – It’s All Around You

Post-rockers' fifth album, and first since 2000. Lovely cover, shame about the music

Johnny Cash – The Living End

This belated sequel to 2002's triple-album retrospective Love God Murder features 18 songs that might easily have fitted under one or another of that set's individual headings. Not, perhaps, "Murder"—the only death here is that of the Native American hero of Peter LaFarge's "Ballad Of Ira Hayes", a war hero allowed to fall into alcoholism and ignominy after he'd helped raise that iconic flag at Iwo Jima—but certainly "Love" and "God".

Run-Dmc

Run-DMC did more than anyone to bring rock into hip hop in the mid-'80s. Greatest Hits shows the band at their best (the Tipper Gore-baiting "Mary Mary") and worst (the cutesy "Christmas In Hollis"). The purists sneered at the Jason Nevins makeover of "It's Like That",but those warehouse visuals will have turned a new generation of suburban 13-year-olds on to hip hop.
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