JEFFREY MORGAN’S MEDIA BLACKOUT #617.258!

Various Artists – Sin-atra (Armoury) :: Not since fellow inmates Charles Manson and Phil Spector went into Corcoran State Prison’s recording studio to record Evilis: A Burning Tribute To The King has there been such a cloven collection of cover versions! These twelve over the top metal permutations of every Old Screw Eyes classic ranging from “New York, New York” to “Strangers In The Night” are warbled by twelve over the top metal performers ranging from Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider (“It Was A Very Good Year”) to Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander (“Fly Me To The Moon”). Take it from me, pallie: this is one platter that’s sizzling whether you like it or not!

David Lee Roth – “That’s Life” (Warner Bros.) :: Meanwhile, back in 1986, Diamond Dave was paving the way with this Sinatra single that hit number 85 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Warm Ghost – Uncut Diamond (Partisan) :: I don’t know which is the more amazing achievement: that this six track EP dares to merge the synth suaveness of Gary Numan via the mordant melodies of Trent Reznor and the arch artiness of David Sylvain via the doomed romanticism of Bryan Ferry—or that it all somehow actually manages to work.

The Jeff Healey Band – Get Me Some (Eagle Records) :: Sure this one’s over a decade old now but, strangely believe it, it’s still fresh enough to sound like it was recorded five minutes from now. Prepare to get deliriously giddy with delight as you listen to how Healy effortlessly switches gears from rock to blues to ballads with equal authoritative aplomb.

Marillion – Live From Cadogan Hall (Eagle Records) :: If you’re one of those snooty prog rock adherents who always felt that Marillion died when Fish left, then it’s time to undrape the crêpe and embrace the saving grace that this double disc offers. With a sound quality that’s past pristine and a song selection that’s practically pluperfect in every way, there’s no reason why you should wait any longer at the window for your favorite former singer to reappear so douse that candle before you torch the curtains, kid.

SIZZLING PLATTER OF THE WEEK: Krissi Moses – Freak! (self released) :: She coos...just like a woman, yes she does. She chirps...just like a woman, yes she does. And she cajoles...just like a woman. But she breaks your balustrade into a puddle of oozing mush like a little girl with a sledgehammer in her vengeful mitts because this titanic tart isn’t a super freak by any stretch of your feeble imagination: she’s a super ultra mega freak who reeks with enough pouty ’n’ perky vocal punk attitude to slaw your drooling slack-jawed visage a permanent skin peel while her band cranks out enough primo power pop to make you wanna grab her by the hand; track down a preacher man; and change her name so that you can be her next willing victim.

Be seeing you!