Various Modmania (Sony) Kinks, Jam, Clash, Booker T., Aretha, Curtis, Specials, Datsons, Temptations, Flashing Lights, Suede etc. A confused comp (and no damn Who!) but frickin' ace nonetheless. 9.5 (LC)

Zen Guerrilla Shadows on the Sun (Sub Pop) The undisputed leaders of the soul/rock movement. 9 (JC)

Bill Hicks Philosophy: Best of... (Ryko/Outside) Best bits from the late Hicks, who brought focus, fury and footing back to stand-up comedy. 9 (RB)

David Bowie All Saints: Collected Instrumentals 1977-1999 (EMI) Almost all the vox-less tunes, with a few previously unreleased Eno collaborations. 8.5 (LC)

The Mad Capsule Market OSC-DIS (Oscillator in Distortion) (Palm/Outside) Blistering, full-bore anarchist digi-punk. The Japanese Atari Teenage Riot. 8 (RB)

The Moldy Peaches self-titled (Rough Trade/EMI) Quirky, quiet folk-pop with eccentric outbursts and lotsa laughs. 7.5 (LC) With the Strokes at Cabaret on Sun., Sept. 30

Strike Anywhere Change Is a Sound (Jade Tree) Nice combo of melody and the new school of hardcore crunch. 7 (JC)

U God Golden Arms Redemption (Wu Tang) Poor U God. Ignored, overlooked and forgotten--and then this pitiful excuse for an album. 5 (SC)

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