That's Bjork on the cover, and she gets a nice feature inside this issue – as do the Penguin Cafe Orchestra, really presented with some great attention to detail and the way they arrived at their very unique sound! There's also a photo essay of a performance by Be Your Own Pet, a very long Gen-X graphic memoir by Marcellus Hall, the debut album of Wayne Phoenix, the two-wheeled skills of Chelsea Wolfe, the electronics of Pauline Anna Strom, the compositions of Annea Lockwood, and lots lots more – all presented with the crisp crackle that makes Maggot Brain so great! Magazine

Maggot Brain has a three-part feature on master archivist and freewheeling creative soul Harry Smith in this issue – with a fresh look at the continuing impact of his Anthology Of American Folk Music, an interview with his biographer John Szwed, and lots more – and they even found a previously unseen photo of the man himself for the cover, taken by Allen Ginsberg, one of the many Beat legends he inspired! It's a jam-packed issue too all around, with pieces on the recently departed Sixto Rodriguez and Pee Wee Herman, Lou Reed, Cat Power, Boygenius, a cool round-up review of cassettes, Orbital and more – with great photos & illustrations throughout! Magazine

A massive issue from Roctober this time around – filled with a wealth of information on unusual novelty and comedy records – plus lots of other odd vinyl too! There's a huge amount of interviews here – with Jimmy Lynch The Funky Tramp, Mr Lee, Neil Hamburger, Dave Alvin, Dr Demento, The 1985 Chicago Bears, Rappin Duke, and others – plus bits on Richard Pyror, Pedro Bell, Brother Dave Gardner, Andy Kaufman, and Jack White's Third Man Records – plus a massive stand up records discography, and loads lots more! Massive reviews and other bits too – and easily the best musical bang for your magazine buck. Magazine

A lengthy discussion with Chris James of the stellar seventies sweet soul act The Natural Four, Nardwuar vs Queens of the Stone Age, interviews with the last living brother of The Maddox Brothers and Rose, Mark Ridlen of 70s/80s Texas punk/psych band Lithium Xmas (also a member of Rapid Fire, the evil band from Ron Howard's "Cotton Candy"), New Orleans musical eccentric Quintron on his return to his ravaged city, Brazilian guitar legend Toquino, and Beach Boys' biographer Domenic Priore. Also, the scrapbook of Black punk legend Neon Leon, a Clancy Eccles tribute, hundreds of novelty celebrity records profiled, and a history of Diabolik. Plus, lots of great comix, including Freaky Bear by Plastic Crimewave, an incredible recreation of R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet" starring Batman by K. Thor Jensen, and lost comics and 70s rock writing by Funkadelic's Pedro Bell. Magazine

Another stapled, b&w, muy extrano rock screed from Roctober! This issue features a really nice paneled portrait sketch cover by Rob Syers, Jason Lutes, and others, the always entertain "Punk'n Head" strip by Jake Austen, features on lost Bee Gee Maurice Gibb, the late 60s circus-theme exploits of Buddah Records artist conglomerate the Kasenetz-Katz Orchestral Singing Circus, The Musical World of Sid Laverents, the wierd world of Gamma Goochee, an interview with Guy "the Armenian Mickey Katz" Chookoorian, Nardwuar Vs. Gene Simmons, and a lot more – plus the usual array of reviews, discographies, ads, and comics! Magazine

The most extensive Sammy Davis Jr. discography/filmography/TVography/bibliography ever published – with over 1,000 reviews of Sammy related material. To make the package more surreal, the issue looks like an 80s issue of the "punk bible" Maximum Rocknroll, with Sammy essays by MRR columnists Rev. Norb, Eugene Chhadbourne, Lali Donavan, Mike (Gearhead) Lavella, Jeff Bale, Vic (Articles of Faith) Bondi, George Tabb, Dr. Dante and Mark Murrman. Previous knowledge of Sammy or MRR not required! Articles include a profile on Grande Otello (the Sammy of Brazil), an interview with Mark (Unrest) Robinson on his Sammy collection, The Millionaire (Combustible Edison) discussing Sammy clothing he bought at auction, Cynthia Plaster Caster describing her session casting Anthony Newley's penis, a critical breakdown on Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis' "Colgate Comedy Hour" appearances, an illustrated catologuing of every Sammy appearance ever in Mad Magazine, plus comics and features about Sammy, Sinatra, The Rat Pack, Blowfly, James Brown, HR, Miles Davis, Reagan, De La Soul, AC/DC and more. Cover by Damon Locks! Magazine

Features mammoth Redd Foxx vinyl, CD, video, and TV discography of over 200 titles; a Rudy Ray Moore interview; Dickies interview; Pat Boone interview, with dozens of musicians and writers debating whether he should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; Swamp Dogg interview; Andre Williams meets Los Straitjackets; Cub Koda eulogy; Xuxa article; Maceo interview; Kid Creole interview; T. Valentine photo feature; and lots lots more! Magazine

That's the great Skip Spence on the cover – formerly of Moby Grape, creator of the classic Oar album, and given very big coverage here in a story that traces his development as a solo act! The issue also looks at the soulful duo Hedge & Donna, the cool prog group Andwella, and France's The Dogs – next to a cool set of 20 questions with the High Llama's Sean O'Hagan, a man who knows more about music than most! Plenty more too, all given the usual Shindig style – features on Mike Taylor, Gospelbeach, Daniel Romano, Danny Kirwan, and Barry Ryan – plus lots of reviews and other short spots too! Magazine

Moody UK group The Eyes finally get their due – served up here in a well-done feature that's filled with vintage images that really illuminate the story of their unique sound! The issue's also got a nice long look at west coast jamming psych geniuses Spirit – plus more on Bevis Frond, Joe & Bing, The Grays, and San Ul Lim – plus rare photographs from Ginny Winn, 20 questions with David Arnoff, and a look at 60 years of mod! Throughout it all, the issue's got a well put-together approach – great style and lots of images. Magazine

Electro soul pioneer and resurgent creative force Giorgio Moroder gets the front cover honor, and rightfully so – with classic electro-inspired Brooklyn instrumentalists Ratatat on the backside! This issue includes great features on both, plus pieces on Steve Arrington, Divine Styler, Van Hunt, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, the photography of soul jazz hero Les McCann, the too often underappreciated female voices of dancefloor soul legends Chic, and lots more! The always photo rich style of Wax Poetics is in full force here, too. One of the best issues in a while! Magazine