James Gelfand Convergence (DSM/Unidisc)A "jazzman looks at the classics" that really works. 9 (LD)

Like Wow Burn, World, Burn (Psycho Teddy/Triage) If Jim Thompson played swampy lounge blues and psychobilly... 8.5 (JC)

Ozric Tentacles Swirly Termination (Madfish/SRI) God bless these last holdouts in the classic instrumental prog-rock space jam department. 8 (RB)

Tomas Jirku Variants (Alien8) More fun with minimalist post-techno and anti-club dub. No, really. 8 (CY)

The Dickies Stukas Over Disneyland (Triple X/Song) It's no Incredible Shrinking, but this 1980 reissue from these O.G. funnypunks merits its 20 candles. 7.5 (RB)

Automatic 7 Beggar's Life (Vagrant) New/old school punk fuelled on Face to Face and Social Distortion. 7 (JC)

12 Rods Separation Anxieties (V2/BMG) A power-pop group who only succeed with ballads? Hey, it worked for the poodle set. 7 (CY)

Full length reviews...