As is usually my lot, I have a failing drive. It decided to become very inconsistent on Wednesday prompting me to reinstall my OS and start from scratch. Problem? Yes, the...drive...is...failing. What part of that warning do you not get, Matt? Well, apparently not much because I went ahead and installed the minimum on a drive that is flaky just to do a few things. Of course, I get to spend a weekend (bet I don't though), with a new drive and bringing myself back to some sort of workable solution until I build me a new PC.

Crap!!

I want to mention the passing of songwriter, Ellie Greenwich, who wrote many hits that include "Hanky Panky," "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Chapel of Love," "Be My Baby," "Leader of the Pack," "River Deep,Mountain High," and many others. She died at the age of 68 of a heart attack. Many of us might not recognize the name but we surely know her songs. And that's a legacy that doesn't ever die! Write some great songs for the Great Band, Ellie.

But I do have two reviews for you. I have enjoyed the 2CD compilation called The Best of Rory Gallagher: Crest of a Wave for unheralded guitarist, Rory Gallagher. I have also reviewed an indie debut release by Glad Hearts called The Oak and the Acorn. It's quite good with flashes of Rolling Stones and a hint of Dylan.

While circumstance dictates that you don't get a full site today, we haven't neglected you in everything. Of course, there are no reviews today, but we did provide you with the next installment of Great Album Covers with 20 newly posted memorable cover shots. Coming up on Monday, we'll have several new reviews that include the just released Richard Thompson Box, Walking on a Wire: 1968-2008...and a few others.

Til Monday...

Round 24 of Great Album Covers:

RJ May:

Atlantic Records will release vinyl for the following albums, all on 180g audiophile quality weight: Stephen Stills' S/T debut, Stephen Stills; If I Could Only Remember My Name by David Crosby; Manassas (2LP) by Stephen Stills; and the CSN debut, Crosby, Stills & Nash. All LPs are slated for release on November 10.

Nonesuch will reissue Wilco vinyl for Being There in a 2LP, 180g (with bonus CD) set. This is planned for October 27.

Hip-O Select will reissue Lofgren with several titles in both DD and CD formats on October 27. Those will include Gone Crazy by Grin, and Cry Tough, solo by Nils Logren.

Hip-O Select will also release Live at the Garden: Expanded Edition by James Brown, scheduling the set for James Brown. The title will release as CD and DD on October 27.

Island Records has more Christmas music to issue from Melissa Etheridge to release on October 13. It is called A New Thought For Christmas.

Big Machine Records will release Fearless from Taylor Swift on October 27.

Varese Sarabande will release Bonjour Baby: Greatest Hits Live for The Motels on October 27.

Lost Highway will release Expando from Timothy B Schmit on October 20 on CD, LP, and DD.

Rounder Records will release a DVD for Madeleine Peyroux on October 20 called Somethin' Grand.

More vinyl LP coming for Laroux (Laroux - Interscope on Oct 6); Lyle Lovett (Natural Forces - Lost Highway on Oct 20); Michael Jackson (Michael Jackson: Remix Suites - Motown on Oct 20); and Sting (If On a Winter's Night - Decca US on Oct 27).

If you ever liked Echo and the Bunnymen, Siouxie and the Banshees, and/or killing Joke, then we have a new discovery for you. The Opposite Sex from DC has returned with an EP that juice those of you who appreciate good talent and that draws influence from the music that you loved in the past.

Their new (09/01) EP, Live + Burn follows their Violent Heartstrings from 2007 with more great music. I'll be surprised if you DON'T like 'em. To get you started, they are gifitng you with a free downloadable MP3 from the EP, "Frozen Heart, Frozen Mind."

They can be sampled further at their MySpace, Facebook, and LastFM. You can even follow 'em on Twitter.

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.