... 7-inch, Vinyl record

The first proper album by Americana rock supergroup Golden Smog – featuring members of Wilco, The Jayhawks & Soul Asylum among others – very much living up to the kind of trends-be-damned album that would come from these guys circa 1995 – inspired by the best acoustic-leaning classic rock of the 70s, sans cliche and feeling fresh all over again! There's a lot to love here for fans of pre-Summerteeth era Wilco and American Recordings era Jayhawks – which is to say it soundly ignores the noisier sounds of the rock mainstream at the time for a more down home vibe. Includes "V", "Pecan Pie", "Glad U Sorry", "He's A Dick", "Red Headed Stepchild", "Williamton Angel", "Friend", "Nowhere Bound", "Radio King" and more. CD

Trini Lopez blew up in pretty big way in the early 60s, circa "If I Had A Hammer", but in the preceding years he cut a slew of great singles for King & DRA – early rock style rumblers and moodier numbers that are just as great – collected here nicely by Ace! Trini's vocals are charismatic as can be, whether it's the slyly menacing way he does on this set's title track, or on more yearning, romantic stylist, and always with cool guitar work. Many of those tunes were released with overdubs, but these rawer, superior versions are seeing reissue for the first time in a generation here. Includes "Sinner Not A Saint", "Rock On", "Where Can My Baby Be", "The Club For Broken Hearts", "Rosita", "Chain Of Love", "Sweet Thing", "My Runaway Heart", "You Broke The Only Heart That Ever Loved You", "It Hurts To Be In Love", "Since I Don't Have You", "Don't Go" and more. 29 tracks in all. CD

Prime classic Springsteen double album, circa 1980! The River finds Bruce a few years removed from the massive breakthrough that was Born To Run, and seemingly starting to let go of the darker tone of Darkness On The Edge Of Town, though still with some shadows of it. Definitely a creative high point, and a record we're always happy to revisit. Includes "The Ties That Bind", "Hungry Heart", "Out In The Street", "Fade Away", "Ramrod", "Drive All Night", "Wreck On The Highway", "Independence Day" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Early punk rock work from Ultravox – a record that's a lot sharper-edged than some of the group's later, more electronic pop! The guitars are very much upfront in the mix here – and although some tracks show a nascent love of synth, it's often mixed in with noisier, more driving sounds that are very much the best spirit of the British underground, circa 1977! And while it might be a stretch to call this a strictly punk rock record, it does stand very nicely next to some of the best mainstream punk releases from the same generation – and in a way, the stylistic complications of the set almost make it more appealing over the years – a bit of a label-less effort that still sounds plenty unique! Titles include "Rockwork", "The Frozen Ones", "Fear In The Western World", "The Man Who Dies Every Day", "Distant Smile", and "Hiroshima Mon Amour". CD features 6 bonus tracks too – including "Young Savage", "Hiroshima Mon Amour (alt version)", "Quirks", "The Man Who Dies Every Day (live)", and "Young Savage (live)". CD

The second album by The Black Crowes – and as the title suggests, they take a somewhat deeper step with the southern rock swagger, though still proudly wearing the influence of their Brit heroes on their sleeves! There weren't a ton of prominent neo-classic rock bands making such big waves, circa '92 and the Crowes well earned it – good songs with irresistible choruses, a real love for gritty soul in the vocals, and a fleshed out sound thanks the the addition of a full time keyboardist. Includes "Sting Me", "Remedy", "Thorn In My Pride", "Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye", "Hotel Illness", "Black Moon Creeping", "No Speak No Slave", "My Morning Song" and "Time Will Tell". (Cassettes, Rock) Cassette