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Jane's Addiction Kettle Whistle (Warner Bros.)
As first offering from a new subsidiary of Sub Pop's empire, this debut disc walks in carrying a lot of weight on its nimble shoulders. Thankfully, the Murder City Devils chuck any sense of responsibility when they step up to kick out these brawling, rough 'n' raw jams ("Murder City Riot," "Boom Swagger Boom"). Death to the cocktail nation at last! 7/10 (Lorrie Edmonds)
Featuring the High Times hit "Just A Bud," Race's debut has been remixed for re-release on the Grim Skunk collective's new local label. Race's blend of roots reggae, thrashy ska, Bad Brain-ed punk metal and slo-mo hip hop is potent enough to send you reeling, proof positive that this Hamilton band smokes from the same bowl that once coughed up fearless freaks like Fishbone. 6.5/10 (Lorrie Edmonds) Incantation The Forsaken Mourning of Angelic Anguish (Relapse) Instead of a lump of coal in his stocking, why not leave this piece of blasphemous black metal tucked in dad's old sock? While the rest of the family are crooning "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" and other Yuletide clap-trap, you can defiantly groan along with "Scream Bloody Gore." Or why not gather the whole family around the CD player for a coupla verses of "Blasphemous Creation" on the baby Jesus's birthday? 7.5/10 (Johnson Cummins)
After 18 years, Jello Biafra's D.I.Y. record company is still alive--and still kicking status-quo ass. This power-driven comp pairs new tracks (from NoMeansNo, Lard, Half Japanese, Zen Guerrilla and more) with the cream of punk classics (Dead Kennedys, Crucifucks), then tempers the mix with highly charged spoken-word pieces by Mumia Abu Jamal and the late environmental activist Judi Bari. Reactionary and rebellious, all in one box! 8.5/10 (Lorrie Edmonds) Various Physical Fatness, Fat Music Vol.3 (Fat Wreck Chords) Why not mosh around the tree this year with this compilation of the finest hummable hardcore that fat Mike and the rest of the folks at Fat Wreck have to offer? I found the majority of this to be a yawn, but then again my days of battling rampant acne are long over, so what the hell do I know? If you get this compilation boasting a roster featuring NOFX, Propagandhi and Lagwagon for your younger sister/brother, you'll be the hippest sibling around. 5.5/10 (Johnson Cummins)
Three solid CDs of two solid concert recordings featuring solid performances from a solid line-up of alt.rap stars (from U2 to KRS-One, Fugees to Foo Fighters, Beck to Björk, Jon Spencer to Ben Harper, Alanis Morissette to Yungchen Lhamo...), all for a solid cause--Beastie Boy Adam Yauch's Milarepa Fund. But it intrigues me why anyone would ever want to consume such a salad (solid?) in one sitting. 5/10 (Chris Yurkiw) Swell Too Many Days Without Thinking (Beggars Banquet) Looking for the perfect gift for your myopic older brother who still lives with your parents? Look no further, Swell is here. Swell's fourth release can now stand up to their incredible debut Well? In fact, they have actually surpassed themselves and released one of the best alternative records you'll probably never hear. But when singer David Freel sings "I'm living off my paper route" in "Fuck Even Flow," don't be surprised if you hear sobs emanating from your brother's room. Yes, the gift of giving never felt so good. 9/10 (Johnson Cummins)
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A secret history of Perry Farrell's original vehicle (ol' demos, live stuff and out-takes) or quick product for the reformed version to flog (two new tracks)? Whatever--Jane's Addiction was and is a contradiction wrapped in an oxymoron draped in some very bad clothes. Their '91 farewell tour (the first Lollapalooza) consolidated the alt nation, yet they were an art-hippie metal-jam band, and this retrospective still leaves Farrell's '90s legacy unclear. 6/10 (Chris Yurkiw)
Murder City Devils Murder City Devils (Die Young Stay Pretty/Sub Pop)
Race Race (Indica/Outside)
Various The Virus That Would Not Die! (Alternative Tentacles)
"Tibetan Freedom Concert" Various artists (Grand Royal/Capitol)