Hey, guess who decided to show his face again after all of this "off" time? Yeah, I know, I know. But I'm back, and it should be a while before I take another of those long ones off. Let's start with the ill-fated Neil Diamond Poll.

We received 14 emails. One email added that the reason that Neil is so unpopular as an "album" guy is because he is so visible as an artist with a ton of hits. This might be it but who knows. Bottom line? Neil Diamond's albums do not push the buttons of many fans of his hit songs. This one becomes quite easy. So here we go:

• Serenade (3) - I have to say that I'm immensely pleased to see this as the top selection. The album's lead-off single, "Longfellow Serenade" is a delightful ND tune. What's best, it's accompanied by the brilliantly written "I've Been This Way Before," and followed by "The Last Picasso," the listenable "Reggae Strut," "Yes I Will," and three other excellent tunes. Serenade, while not the only deserving ND album for the top spot (several more could easily fit here), is a shiny gem in ND's body of work. I still listen to this one more than the rest.
• Hot August Night (2) - Ok, this is a Live album, BUT, as Live albums go, this is a classic one. It sold well and it reveals a super hot Neil Diamond performance over several long players. Yes, it does fit here even if it is not a studio album. Sometimes, a Live album defines a career. This one certainly shines a light on Diamond.
• The Jazz Singer - The immensely popular soundtrack to a so-so film, but the songs are quite good. Including the excellent "America."
• Stones - This is more an album of covers but the hits that came off this make it a compelling work.
• Tap Root Manuscript - This is a fantastic album with a few charting hits that moved Neil Diamond closer to his approaching stardom. Yes, it is good!
• Velvet Gloves & Spit - "Shilo" and "Brooklyn Roads" are here. Those alone are good arguments for a very good early album.
• I'm Glad You're Here With Me Tonight - An interesting choice. I have always believed this album to be the greased skid into the '80s string of hits that some liked and others did not. I enjoyed most songs on this album including the solo version of "You Don't Bring Me Flowers." "Desiree" was an ok song (for me) and I did like Neil's version of Mitchell's "Free Man in Paris."
• Beautiful Noise - This is a great album, produced by Robbie Robertson (with almost equal billing on the cover). Every track was fun to listen to. It also got Neil an odd spot on The Last Waltz stage.
• Moods - Every track on this album (including the great "Song Sung Blue") is memorable. Who could refuse?
• 12 Songs - A great comeback effort that does a good job in corralling Neil Diamond back into a realm that many of his '60s/'70s fans appreciated.
• Home Before Dark - Another good effort in the vein of 12 Songs. But I'm hoping for a different Neil next run.

Hopefully, our next poll will deliver a greater round of participation.

We have a new review for you of one of the remastered Neil Young albums (Mark Squirek will individually address each of the albums). This review is of the debut, S/T album, Neil Young.

When we come back, I'll have a usual statement that I developed over the time off. Plus, we'll have a new selection of Great Album Covers, and mayhaps a new review...or two. Always thinking. See you on Wednesday.

We have a new set of Great Album Covers.

Troy M:

Roadrunner Records have a few new albums from some classic bands arriving. On September 15, fans of Porcupine Tree will score The Incident, while fans of Megadeth will be able to air guitar to ENDGAME.

Rhino Records have a 4CD Various Artists set coming called Where the Action Is!: Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968, which is currently planned for September 22.

DGC will release the upcoming AFI album, Crash Love, on September 26 in several versions of CD, and an LP issue.

Island Records have Among the Living (1987), a reissue for Anthrax, arriving on October 13.

Rounder Records have a series title coming for George Thorogood & the Destroyers. The collection is called Essential Recordings: One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer. It is scheduled for September 22. The same date will also bring Essential Recordings: Sleepy-Eyed Joe for Norman Blake.

A&M Records will release a CD version of Live at Woodstock for Joe Cocker on October 6. It's Woodstock Nation all year long!!

DD copies of Rolling Stones titles (Bridges to Babylon; Black and Blue; A Bigger Bang) are planned for August 18 by UMe.

Arista Nashville will release a 'best of' for Brooks & Dunn called #1s...And then Some, on September 8.

Time/Life will release Mountain Soul II for Patty Loveless on September 29.

Nonesuch Records will release vinyl LP for Bill Frisell with Good Dog, Happy Man. Reprise Records will release standard LP and 180g/Black vinyl LP of the recently re-released re-mastered S/T debut of Neil Young. All LP titles are planned for September 29.

Rhino Records will reissue two classic Elvis Costello with bonuses on September 22. The titles are Spike, and Mighty Like a Rose. Included with those will be a 'best of' collection called Extreme Honey: The Very Best of the Warner Brothers Years.

Roadrunner Records plan the release of Billy Talent III from Billy Talent. The album is scheduled for September 22.

Rhino has scheduled The Manassas Pieces for Manassas to issue on September 22.

Fervent Records will release Love & War by BarlowGirl on September 22.

Hollywood favours an industrial style of music when soundtracking for their high energy action films.  Good reasoning as that style of music is like audio adrenaline and seems to engage the listener with heart-pounding effect.  And within a film that stars the current energetic action hero, Jason Statham, such music just seems right.

Composed and performed by Mike Patton of Faith No More/Fantomas fame, this experimentally  industrial 32-track set is the wired, standalone music from the Statham vehicle, Crank: High Voltage.  It is a definite fan-set as it is quite musically inconsistent, transitioning from one track to another.  But Patton fans are used to the eclectic manner in which he works and so a set like this should be satisfying to them.  But traditional soundtrack buyers should beware.  What works with visual counterparts within the film, may be bizarre in a non-visual environment.   ** ½

Nettwerk Records will digitally release the 4-track EP, named Great Escape, by UK's The Rifles, whom Paul Weller of The Jam has gushed about, on July 28. Later in the year, Nettwerk will release their full-length album, which we'll be sure to cover. Three tracks found on this release will NOT be found on the band's upcoming album. Check 'em out at Facebook, and/or MySpace, and/or their official site.