Album

Uneasy listening by out-spoken wordstress

Influential pre-grunge landmark re-emerges after years in limbo

Expert Appalachian pickers on fire in '74

Tom Waits, Chrissie Hynde et al join gospel veterans on Christmas album

Like everyone, I'm prone to enthuse how utterly electric the jiggling phenomenon known as Beyoncé is. Yet the honeymoon's expiring, and those first doubts are creeping in. She is mutating into Mariah Carey, or, worse, Tina Turner. She does one magic single, then we turn a blind eye to three rubbish ones. She has the cold eyes of a mugger. She has another film out, and is tapping into the profitable gospel market.

Extraordinary hotel-room musings in vinyl-only form

1989 box set rejigged again

Two-CD compilation of best of 1970-76

Chilled follow-up to debut Passo Fundo

Incandescent instrumental rock from Austin, Texas