The Superions "Destination...Christmas!

(Fanatic) Fred Schneider does his best to make his work with the B52s sound subtle, mellow, and tasteful with this X-mas album that you should probably keep away from the kids. Opening with a jingle-ized nod to Divine's hi-nrg classic "Jungle Jezebel," and closing (or, should I say, climaxing) with a Santa-fied take on Serge's Je T'aime," this is clearly the Christmas record for the family members who are strategically uninvited to Christmas dinner (or at least asked to leave their "roommate" at home). Highlights include a song where Yetis massacre the North Pole HQ, a get freaky under the tree jam, and some X-mas-themed stripper music. Perhaps this is more outrageous than good, but there's such a thing as being so outrageous it doesn't matter if it's good. Fruit! Cake!

Kid Creole and the Coconuts “Anthology Vol. 1 & 2”

(Rainman) Kid Creole (interviewed in these pages a few years back) is a fascinating figure, turning disco inside out with his beautiful backup Coconuts, with Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, and with some of the best live performances of the late 20^th century (drawing on the best of the early 20^th century). I suppose the act is still amazing, and if you saw them live you would be dying to throw money at them, so this CD would serve a great purpose. A double disc collection of greatest hits, covers, new songs, and good times is a winner. But these are re-recordings, not the original (a collection of which, spanning the career, would be better). But if I bought this from a scantily clad Coconut I sure as hell wouldn’t complain.

Mehran “Angels of Persepolis”

(www.flamencoguitarplayer.com) Flamenco-tacular! Though dramatic and moving, it’s hard to tell how these songs relate to Iranian history and culture outside of the titles. But it sounds great.

John McVey “Unpredictable”

(www.johnmcvey.com) This rootsy songwriter showcase is way better than the new albums by Steve E. Nix, Mik Fleetwould and Lynn Tse Buckinhand.

Mark Mansfield “It Happened One Evening”

(Lucid Veil) Mark is the man! Dramatic story songs, or story-like songs with madrigal like singing and sax or harmony or keyboard flourishes that make this fall somewhere between lo-fi Phil Spector drama and outsider art.

Treasa Levasseur “Low Fidelity”

(tressalevasseur) With a voice that recalls Carole King and a sensibility that recalls Candye Kane, this is some exquisitely recorded R&B meets singer-songwriter stuff that will groove you…deeply.

Kit “Invocation”

(Upset the Rhythm) Strange soundtracks for the happiest, yet consistently scariest, monster movie ever made. Bubbling. melodic. experimental jingles are the new punk rock.

Tall Grass Captains “In the Resistance”

(Ubique) On this odd, off-kilter, experimental, World Music abusing, skewed pop, haunting voiced journey, it’s tall gas, tall ass, or tall grass…nobody rides for free!

Fred Shafer “Resistor”

(MVD) Although I feel bad saying that this bland non-rock music shouldn’t even be made, I keep recalling that I felt bad having to listen to it.

David Newbould “Live From Austin

(www.davidnewbould.com)More bold than new, as like many Austin-ites David appreciates the route of the roots, and knows solid old time songwriting will get you there faster than taking the trendy highway.