New Release Tuesday
'Tis the season, already, for record companies to inundate the shelves of Target and Wal-mart with gift-worthy releases of greatest hits, Christmas collections, and repackaged favorites. You already know about the huge releases by Destiny's Child and Eminem, and we're betting that critics' darling Rufus Wainwright will be covered extensively elsewhere. Here are some of the releases that intrigued and amused us for the week of November 16th.
In the "Best Of"s category, we recommend The Verve's "This Is Music: The Singles 1992-1998" (click here to preview). Actually, we recommend you buy their old albums, starting with the masterpiece "Urban Hymns", and branch out from there. If watching Dig! made you curious or nostalgic about The Brian Jonestown Massacre, you can now buy their two disc retrospective "Tepid Peppermint Wonderland." Fans of "Greatest Hits"-type compilations can put any of the following on the holiday gift list: "Fit To Be Tied: Great Hits by Joan Jett," Michael Jackson's "Ultimate Collection," Neil Young's "Greatist Hits," Pearl Jam's "Rearviewmirror: Greatest Hits 1991-2003," and two releases we didn't think possible: "Awake: The Best of Live" and "Best of Mandy Moore."
Not to tread on Jon's territory, but there are several music DVDs out this week. Eagle Vision releases "Live at Montreux" DVDs from Charles Mingus (1975), Curtis Mayfield (1987), Shane McGowan (1995), and Al Di Meola (1986, 1989 and 1993). If you're so inclined, you can also look for new DVDs from Kenny Loggins, Europe, and Yes. NOFX's "Ten Years of F*&@in Up" is also now available on DVD.
In perusing this week's new releases, we discovered the baffling phenomenon of instrumental tribute records. Now, Victory Records' release of "Dead and Dreaming: An Indie Tribute to Counting Crows" doesn't bewilder us too much; Counting Crows is an influential band and Victory artists usually have loyal followings. But tell us, exactly who is the target audience for such releases as "Smooth Sax Tribute to Jennifer Lopez," "Guitar Tribute to Modest Mouse" and "String Quartet Tribute to the Darkness"? And who is going to buy "Served Acoustic: A Tribute To Warrant" featuring a bunch of no-name bands like Bad Hair Day and Chris Heaven? If you see someone in possession of any of these albums, please alert SFist immediately.
Lastly, we leave you with today's debate topic, the title of Bon Jovi's brand new 5 disc box set. True or false: "100 Million Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong." Discuss.