Lou Reed American Poet (NMC Music/Fusion III) Lou live in Hempstead, NY, at the end of '72. Between the Velvets "hits" and the first solo steps, this is a definitive moment. 8 (RB)

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club self-titled (Virgin) Walls of dark, melodic guitar noise à la Jesus and Mary Chain with slack psychedelic grooves. Smack-tastic! 7.5 (LC)

Baby Blue Soundcrew Private Party Collector's Edition Mixed CD Vol. 2 (Universal) A private party collector's edition CD with songs you and nine million other people have had on tapes for a year now. 6.5 (SC)

Mia Doi Todd Zeroone (City Zen Records) Stark, fem-folk poetry lovingly sung over equally bare and dark guitar/voice arrangements. Effective but lacking variety. 6 (LC)

Turk Young and Thuggin' (Cash Money/Universal) I feel like Mannie Fresh keeps putting out the same record over and over and over again. 5 (SC)

Mayor McCa Me Is He (Sonic Unyon) Third album by self-appointed mayor of his own childlike, musical fantasyland. A mess of folky, retro pop with a couple of stabs at rap-rock, metal. Not very good, not very funny. 4 (LC)

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