The Essential “Weird Al” Yankovic (Legacy Recordings). Review by Tim Wardyn.

The Sound The Speed The Light (Matador Records). Review by Carl F Gauze.

Scott Adams finds this compelling history of Merge Records, the underdog label that beat the odds and succeeded, to be insanely readable.

Brand New and Thrice play the first of a pair of sold-out Orlando dates.

Hurrication EP (Olympic). Review by Carl F Gauze.

In author Pete Blecha’s new examination of the gnarled roots of Seattle rock music, he posits that it all started with the slurred words “Louie Louie.” Scott Adams obviously approves.

Greg Prato’s new oral history of Seattle music (or “grunge” to you and me, bucko) strikes the right balance between bratty humor and pathos, thinks Matthew Moyer. And was the bassist from Guns N’ Roses really in the Fastbacks? Read on,,,

Ten (Legacy Edition) (Epic Records). Review by Tim Wardyn.

Skin, spit, and sweat were on board for a recent These Arms Are Snakes show that Jen Cray soaked up in Orlando.

Following up his not-so-kid-friendly Heavy Metal Fun Time Activity Book and Gangsta Rap Coloring Book, Aye Jay is back with another fun-filled edition for all you punkers out there. So what did Tim Wardyn think of the Punk Rock Fun Time Activity Book? F—-n’ brilliant!

Live at the Paradiso - Amsterdam (Vanguard). Review by Tim Wardyn.

Are you ready to scream your lungs out?! Dave Grohl was. So were over 80,000 fans as they packed Wembley Stadium for a performance that was two parts ferocious rock and one part classic rock. All this makes Tim Wardyn want to go to a Foo Fighters concert so badly that he can taste the sweat flying off the TV. We’ll let him explain.

With a stage show more akin to performance art than rock concert, Of Montreal is anything but subtle. Jen Cray did not wear a pink leotard or face paint to the Orlando show, but she enjoyed it all the same.

Reunited after a 2001 breakup and toting a new album and tour (alongside People in Planes), The Toadies bring grunge back in a big way. Jen Cray is one of many Orlando fans reveling in the murky merriment.

Pale Moon Gang (Fast Loose). Review by Jen Cray.

You think copyright infringement’s today’s hot topic? Tad’s been there and done that, and they’re so over it, they’re over it. Scott Adams drinks a nameless, fizzy soft drink in toast to Seattle’s grunge pioneers.

Losing Daylight (A-F Records). Review by Jen Cray.

Legendary proto-grunge nihilists in “having fun” shock! Scott Adams wouldn’t have believed it either. The proof is in the pudding with this archival release of vintage Flipper concerts.

EP (Housecore). Review by Jen Cray.

Dead Confederate EP (The Artists Organization/Razor & Tie). Review by Jen Cray.