The Word self-titled (Ropeadope) A raucous brawl between God's gospel and the devil's blues, with John Medeski's organ, Robert Randolph's lap and the North Mississippi Allstars' rhythm method mediating. 8.5 (RB)

The Two-Minute Miracles Volume II (Teenage USA) Est. 1989 in London, Ont., this band dishes out homemade alt-country, so get comfy in your groovy indie rocking chair. 8 (LC) At Casa Del Popolo on Mon., Nov. 26, 9pm.

Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions Bavarian Fruit Bread (Rough Trade/EMI) A new setting for Mazzy Star's sombre songstress. Picked acoustic guitar and a hint of strings sweeten the dark, pastoral scenery. 7.5 (LC)

The Smashing Pumpkins Greatest Hits (EMD/Virgin) Relive the birth of the Pumpkin's patented ebb 'n' flow style--ride the emotional wave back into Billy's own pre-Nosferatu '90s. 7 (GP)

Kittie Oracle (Artemis/Sony) Shouldn't these Satanic teenagers be babysitting or something? 6 (JC)

Ensign The Price of Progression (Nitro) New-school hardcore that offers absolutely nothing new. 4 (JC)

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