In an age of pristine and perfectly recorded CDs, Ryan Flaherty’s debut album, Dimestore Blues, is the kind of thing that would sound best on crackling vinyl. The did-it-himself collection of 10 songs – seven originals and three covers – has a rough charm that (intentionally or not) recalls the scratchy, popping recordings of the blues masters from many decades ago.

• Is the same old "rant and roll" getting you down, my friend? Is your mind feeling mauled by too many beats per minute? Has talk-radio bravado turned to babble? Turn off, tune out, and select a healthier diet in your food for thought.

• One of the most mesmerizing concerts from the past decade is getting the digital boost to DVD this Tuesday: Portishead's one-night-only session with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra from 1997, simply entitled PNYC Roseland New York.

• American Music Club founder Mark Eitzel is mad for covers this Tuesday as his new solo album, Courage & Confidence, is chock full of interesting interpretations by the somber bard. Ten oddly selected songs make up the New West Records release, including his pensive take on Curtis Mayfield's "Move on Up," The Flamingos' "I Only Have Eyes for You," Andrea True Connection's "More, More, More," Anne Murray's "Snowbird," Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine," and - dig this - Culture Club's "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?" • Both Robert Plant and Dolly Parton have announced that they too will be dipping into the strange cover waters, with Plant's upcoming album featuring his take on the Jimi Hendrix classic "Hey Joe" (itself a cover), Tim Buckley's "Song of the Siren," and the track "Morning Due," previously recorded by Tim Hardin and Jeff Beck.