The El Orbits | Dead Milkmen | Gits | Strummer And The Mescaleros | R.E.M. | Belle and Sebastian | Twilight Singers | Himsa | Stylex | Give Up The Ghost | Dan Sartain

Freedom Records
Written by Poizen Ivy

Add some zing to your holidays with the fourth release from Texas bingo ambassadors the El Orbits. Like Santa’s sack, this kid-safe, mom-approved CD is bursting with seasonal goodness. It not only includes traditional tunes like “The Christmas Song” and “Sleigh Ride,” but also the spirited rock ‘n’ roll of Herschel Berry’s “My Little Pretty Lips” and a jauntily festive cover of the Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass classic “Spanish Flea” (a.k.a. The Dating Game Theme). The Dazzling Pete Gray’s fabulous honky-tonk piano on “Run, Run, Rudolph” makes the Holiday Album a must-give for tiny tots and bingo mavens alike.

Restless/Ryko
Written by Ryan Kinder

A reissue of a 10 year old, self-released live/rarities collection, Now We Are 20 is an interesting look back into the 12 years of madness that defined the Dead Milkmen's career. Unfortunately, lackluster sound quality make this disc a must have for die hard fans only. The casual listener will be disappointed at the lack of "hits" (well, familiar songs, since the Dead Milkmen never had any bona-fide "hits"), and should be directed toward the band's 1997 collection Death Rides A Pale Cow. While not the best set of rarities the band could have put together (inexplicably missing are most of their b-sides including their stellar cover of Led Zeppelin's "South Bound Suarez"), Now We Are 20 offers up some true gems such as "Labor Day" - a swipe at Jerry Lewis' annual telethon, "Stupid Mary Anne" - a twisted love song, and a 1993 cover of The Specials' "A Message To You Rudy" - taken from the Metaphysical Grafitti sessions. A fun collection, but really for the serious fan only.

Broken Rekids
Written by Ryan Kinder

Not a new album by any means, but newly repackaged, remastered, and released on a new label with bonus live tracks and previously unavailable material. The Gits were one of those bands that you always heard of (most likely due to the tragic rape and murder of front-woman, Mia Zapata in 1993), but never really heard. Discover, for the first time (or rediscover, if you're really down) what made the Gits so great. Blazing punk rock guitars with Zapata's fierce, original riot girl vocals. There's a reason so many Seattle bands list The Gits as a major influence. Highlights are Zapata's solo acoustic version of the band's most well known song "Social Love," and the band's haunting rendition of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come."

Hellcat Records
Written by Luke Fretoluco

Joe Strummer managed to successfully evade the long shadow cast by the Clash's legacy by marrying his three minute/three chord rebellions to world music. This post humous release boasts 10 passionately bombastic songs, including the bittersweet Marley cover "Redemption Song", and the current single "Coma Girl" that leave you missing Joe long after the disc has ended.

Warner Bros.
Written by Luke Fretoluco

Stipe and company release a disc that serves as a summary of R.E.M.'s flirtations with arena Rock anthems. Some fans will enojy this retrospective, though it may leave long time devotees Yearning for the days when Stipe had a hairline, Buck wasn't hurling deli trays on International flights, and The guy with the uni-brow was still keeping the backbeat.

Rough Trade
Written by Scott Otto

This is better than their last two albums, but that isn't saying a lot. There are exactly two good songs on this album. The rest are more of the same sub-Burt Bacharach-ish, annoyingly high pitched stuff you've come to expect. Is that really worth your fifteen bucks?

One Little Indian
Written by Scott Otto

There's no doubt Greg Dulli is one of the sexiest motherfuckers around. Now he's made another album with a lot of cool people to prove it. Really dark and melodic and ready to go whether you're hiding in your house after a binge or cruising down a sunny street. Don't miss it.

Prosthetic Records
Written by Frank Realitos

Forget whatever you thought you knew about Himsa. This isn’t childish hardcore, but rather, a band that has completely reinvented their sound and been reborn as a Swedish via America metal band. Dueling lead guitars, brutal guttural vocals, and enough double bass to please even the most jaded Slayer fan. Toss in some dark, verging on gothic, lyrics and you’ve got one of the best metal records this year. Recommended listening for fans of At The Gates, The Haunted, and Darkest Hour.

Action Driver
Written by Frank Realitos

For everyone who was disappointed with the last Faint record, take heart…this record is looking for you! But it would be unfair to pass this off as a Faint soundalike (copy of a copy?), for it’s a far cry from that. Imagine the driving electro force of The Faint with a much more genuine retro-ness to their sound and a more organic rhythm pulsating beneath it all. The result is a beat filled, but slightly more guitar propelled approach to a madness not too far from what Les Savy Fav deliver.

Equal Vision
Written by Frank Realitos

Formerly known as American Nightmare, Give Up The Ghost (GUTG) have sloughed off the confines of their debut album and have created a much more developed, mature record without losing the intensity which garnered them their large following. Not content to plow ahead with 12 tracks of standard hardcore, GUTG have broadened their appeal by incorporating altering tempos, intricate guitar rhythms, and a more varied vocal approach than that last witnessed on 2001’s Background Music. Less meathead, and more diverse, don’t write this one off as yet another tough guy record.

Swami
Written by Frank Realitos

While not quite a household name (but he should be), Dan Sartain has recorded a dark record of primal rock n roll with just a touch of garage swagger and the insight only a solo troubadour can bring to life. Recorded with the help of a who’s who of the San Diego rock scene (John Reis of Rocket From The Crypt, Gar Wood of Hot Snakes, Mario Rubalcaba of Black Heart Procession), Vs. The Serpientes is a mature, yet ragged album of honest music and biting intent.