Possessed

Ol' Blue Eyes bootlegs go legit

It's an odd time to evaluate Paul Simon's solo career in light of his successful 2004 reunion tour with Art Garfunkel. But maybe all that boomer nostalgia needs a little levity, and the sweep of his solo work proves Simon has never dwelled on the past. The Studio Recordings 1972-2000 is that rare bird—an attempt to collect an artist's entire oeuvre.

Haunted house shocker from Japan

Smart pop from eight-strong collective of Swedish waifs and strays

Debut album from Jeffrey Lee Pierce's twisted blues-punk quartet remains strikingly relevant

Long-awaited return of New England philosophy major-cum-troubadour

Gene Vincent was the real deal and, together with his backing group The Blue Caps, fronted The First Gang In Town. With Cliff Gallup and later Johnny Meeks on lead guitar, they, as much as The Crickets and Chuck Berry, defined the sound of rock's classic three guitars and drums line-up. Though originally pushed as Capitol's answer to Elvis, Gene wasn't nearly as orchestrated as the Memphis Flash.

Minor shocker (made for TV) from Wes Craven, starring Linda Blair as a schoolgirl whose boyfriend and family get taken over by her evil cousin, a backwoods witch. Only Blair's horse and friendly supernatural expert Macdonald Carey can tell the possessed from normal people. Also known as Stranger In Our House, and for Blair and Craven completists only.

NYC's queens of kitsch mine classic-rock vault

A valiant and moving last hurrah from the sadly departed Clash hero