• With an overflowing crush of CD releases in the next two months, new artists and new albums will have to fight for the back-to-school dollar against a host of exciting, expanded CD re- issues. Honored as the best rock album of the 1980s by the editors of Rolling Stone, The Clash's London Calling from 1979 was a life-changing experience for many, in a magical time when these godfathers of punk walked away from the mangled production of 1978's Give 'Em Enough Rope and said: Why not a double album then, and a triple-album set next (in 1980)? Due next month on Epic's Legacy label, the bonus material is to die for, with demos from the era recently discovered by guitarist Mick Jones, rare photos, and new writings reflecting on this 25th-anniversary edition.
• Like Leonard Cohen channeling the ghost of Jacob Marley, this Tuesday's release of Bubblegum by the whiskey-throated Mark Lanegan is an early contender for my top 10 of the year. Mesmerizing as the voice of Seattle's Screaming Trees, and as the sorcerer of a handful of haunted solo albums in the 1990s, Lanegan's lonesome pine comes from one who's walked the walk of addiction, with each breath like a sandy step along an endless beach toward redemption, Judgment Day, or whatever comes next.
• This Tuesday the United States of Distribution imprint releases four CDs in its new BUZZOLA series, collecting vintage recordings into cleverly themed 18-track treasure troves. With songs reaching back as far as 1923 and into the Cold War era, each CD is meant to tickle, or caress, a different part of your brain and heart.
• Everything's gone cover crazy this Tuesday with a mother lode of new interpretations to wrap inquisitive ears around. Paul Weller, mod icon and founding member of The Jam and the Style Council, is prepping the September release of his all-covers collection, Studio 150, with an advance import-only EP this week.
• I wish I were a fly on the studio wall as plentiful guest stars dominate a handful of new and upcoming releases. The Dwarves' upcoming CD on Sympathy for the Record Industry, Dwarves Must Die, features the original Space Ghost, Gary Owens, alongside guests Nash Kato of Urge Overkill, Dexter Holland of The Offspring, Nick Oliveri of Queens of the Stone Age, Vandals drummer Josh Freese, and rapper San Quinn.
• Perfectly timed for a cool breeze through the warm summer air, three new CDs are taking the acoustic route. The implosion of this summer's Lollapalooza tour was a big disappointment for me, as I was really looking forward to seeing Michael Franti & Spearhead, a smart political voice in the dialogue on race and our common humanity since his days fronting the Beatnigs and Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy.
• The brightest promise for the future of punk rock, Authority Zero, releases a sophomore masterpiece this coming Tuesday, with wicked cover art lampooning Norman Rockwell's classic "No Swimming" image - painting the three summer lads in gas masks, liberty spikes, and the American flag.
• With the first dates only a month away, it's not too early to make plans to attend this summer's Lollapalooza tour. Celebrating its ninth year, the festival run by Perry Farrell has a new twist for the wandering tribe, as each city stop will be a two-day affair, showcasing twice the stars and up-and-coming acts.
• Anyone who's thrilled to Cheap Trick's juggernaut power pop will delight this coming Tuesday, as the band releases a terrific DVD documenting last year's tour of Japan. Instead of going for the straight live-concert approach, From Tokyo to You is just as playfully nutty as the band, blending concert performances with hilarious documentary-style interviews with all four members.
• Two fantastic new albums from sons of the surf have me lost in their music and cool waves. Formerly the frontman for sonic surf demons 40 Watt Domain, Andrew Heilprin has a new solo moniker - Blue-Eyed Son - and his West of Lincoln album on Eenie Meenie Records.

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