How about a side trip?  I recently saw a Poll for the best (and worst) album covers of ALL time and I thought that would be a fun Poll that will likely have NO two agreeing given the amount of covers there are to be selected.  Over the many years of LPs, there has been some fantastic covers, many by outside design agencies (Hipgnosis, Dean, etc).  Often we attach the greatness of the album by remembering the covers.  At one point, many agreed that the cover of London Calling was the greatest because it said a lot about Rock 'n' Roll energy.  But the Beatles' Sgt Pepper cover set new standards.  The covers of Yes albums were indicative of the band.  And some like Physical Grafitti, Some Girls, and Brain Salad Surgery created further art beyond the music by making unforgettable covers with interaction.

While we're waiting for the Queen Poll to cool, I thought that I'd throw this one out there to play around with as I'm sure we all have a favourite cover that we're fond of.  Me?  I'd have to give it great thought.  I'm sure I'd settle with about 20 or 30 selections.  Whew!  I love the iconic cover of Born to Run, to me a stunning but simple cover that oozes Rock 'n Roll swagger. In gatefold beauty.  But I also love the surrealism of Houses of the Holy's Hipgnosis cover.  I do love the Brain Salad Surgery inventiveness as well.  And that's just sticking a pinkie into the frosting of an uneaten cake to sample the richness.

So, let's throw this out there and see what your selections of great album covers are, past or present.  Send your selections to Great Album Covers.

I got just one Rolling Stones remastered title over the weekend.  It was all that I could get my hands on as the rest were not immediately available (guess I have to go to Amazon for the rest).  I picked up Goats Head Soup and, while I don't have many copies of previous remasters to compare, the music was clean and enjoyable.  The best remaster money can buy?  Nope.  The sound is loud at lower volumes and that may be what the band wanted (if they were involved at all).  Many people do not think that bands sometimes want it that way but Johnny Winter notoriously wanted his Second Winter to “...be as loud as is technically possible...”  It was why he famously delivered three LP sides of music rather than fill a fourth side because he wanted to preserve volume.  But I do agree with many audiophiles with the loudness aspects, it is not always indicative of the original process.

In short, the remaster of Goats Head Soup is not inferior even though there may be better out there (I don't know).  But they're not the best they could have been.  Regardless, I do like them.  They will replace my current discs at this point in time.  If someone out there knows of better remasters, please let me know while my wallet is out.  Send your suggestions to Stones Remasters.  Regardless of all, I'm very excited for the remaster and celebration of Exile on Main Street.

This is the final week of voting for the best career album from Queen. This has been an active Poll so obviously Queen is well-liked. Continue to send in your votes for the best album by sending your emailed votes to The Best of Queen Poll. I had in my mind what I thought would be the hands-down winner but I'm being proven wrong.  My own choice (Sheer Heart Attack) has shown a lot of muscle at the start but so has Queen II, both albums I would have figured to be somewhat ignored.  Later albums that have brought in various new styles within the Queen sound  have fared well also.  Personally, I thought sure that A Night at the Opera would take out all comers but its been 'not-so-fast' for that one just as it has been for A Day at the Races.  Of course, all of that may change with a new flurry of votes for those classic best sellers. 

I have a review for you of Lifeline by Neal Morse. The review is from Mark Squirek. I've supplied a review of the latest EP by Shauna Burns called Anamnesis, considered a 5-track continuation of her previous full-length CD, The Moon and The Fire Circle. We have a change in progress where reviews are concerned. To access these reviews, for the time being, simply click their link in this paragraph.

Atlantic Records will reissue Stay Hungry by Metal band, Twisted Sister, on pink vinyl LP.  They have scheduled this LP release for June 30. This will include a poster. In addition, Atlantic will reissue Stay Hungry as a 2CD Deluxe Edition. there will be 27 tracks including alternate versions and radio spots.

Reprise Records will release a Deluxe Edition Live set for Michael Buble called Michael Buble Meets Madison Square Garden.  It is being slotted for June 16.

Sire Records will release Hook Me Up by The Veronicas on June 2, releasing in both PA (Parental Advisory) and Edited forms.

Interscope will release a Blu-ray (BD) and standard DVD title featuring Keane in a Live setting.  Live will be released on July 14.

DGC will release a digital issue of The Wind Blows by All American Rejects on May 26.

Redline Entertainment will release CD/LP/DD versions of the S/T debut for Chickenfoot on June 2.

Varese Sarabande will release a combined title set from Climax Blues Band of Stamp Album and their marvelous Sense of Direction on a single CD planned for June 23.

Varese Sarabande will also release American Blues Legends, a selected song compilation for Leadbelly, Sonny Terry, and Brownie McGhee, on June 23.

Universal Motown will issue Rebirth from Lil Wayne on June 23.

This title's release date is not too clear and so I'll take a stab at it as it should interest Nazareth fans.  On July 16, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Homecoming: The Greatest Hits Live in Glasgow for Nazareth.  But take this particular bit with a grain of salt as it just might end up in the throwaway pile.  But just in case...

Mercury will paw through a selected set of Rod Stewart featured songs and release a compilation called Definitive Collection 1969-1978.  This was a particularly fertile set of years for Rod the Mod that included Faces so it will be interesting to see which songs make this set.  Set for September 1.

Polydor Records will revisit Tonic on this upcoming 'best of' called A Casual Affair: The Best of Tonic planned for release on June 23.

Geffen Records will release Pinkerton by Weezer on August 25.

Geffen Records plan two celebratory Anniversary reissues for Whitesnake on June 30.  The 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Slide It In will be released as well the 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Slip of the Tongue.  These will be available on CD and DD (Digital Download).  Watch these pages for more information on these as we get it.

Saving the best for last, it is fun to hear that on July 14, Hollywood Records will reissue LP versions of Queen titles.  Those included are News of the World; Queen; Flash Gordon; Innuendo; and A Kind of Magic.  Cool!

Hear Music will release Life, Death, LIVE and Freedom by John Mellencamp in 2 CD versions as well as a DD (Digital Download), scheduled for June 23.

Island Records will re-release Arc of a Diver by Steve Winwood on June 23. No word on what this release may entail (Deluxe Edition?).

Island Records will release Kimono My House by Sparks on vinyl LP, planned for June 23.

Watch for Magnificent, a Digital EP coming from U2 and scheduled for May 19. Physical product arrives on June 9 from Interscope Records as a Maxi CD.

A&M Records will be releasing DD versions of two Squeeze classics (U.K. Squeeze; Cool for Cats) on May 26.

Saguaro Records will release the Country covers album expected from Tanya Tucker on June 2. The album will be called My Turn.

Atlantic Records will release 2CD Limited Edition albums of two Rod Stewart classics. Those are Atlantic Crossing and A Night on the Town. These are scheduled for June 30.

Atlantic will also release Cradlesong by Rob Thomas on June 30.

Nonesuch Records plan the release of the S/T Wilco album in both CD and LP on June 30.

Road Runner Records will release Killswitch Engage S/T album in both standard CD and a Special Edition set. June 30.

History has been very worshipful of New York Dolls. Their original lineup produced two memorable albums with a strong debut that is as influential today as the day it was released. On their newest album, the wonderful to hear Cause I Sez So, David Johansen, Syl Sylvain, and the three new additions to this classic band, provide 12 tracks that will continue to have us in awe of them.

Ambient music is a set apart genre not normally visited byu the average Rock fan. It requires more than the usual involvement but can yield multiple satisfying results. Steve Roach has been making quality ambient works for decades. This 2CD Dynamic Stillness is his latest interpretation and is worth the investigation.

This Brooklyn band has created some exciting music that is exciting to hear in every way. With a string of self-released albums and EPs, they have already made a mark in the heart of New York City. What's best is that they have made ALL of their music freely available, downloadable from their site. If you feel the band's music is worth money, they have a way that you can pay for their music. We invite you to click through to their website and to their MySpace and Facebook pages to get a fill of their music. Recently, Dead Heart Bloom had an awesome song ("New Messiah" - one for the iPod, believe me AND a FREE download) featured on Terminator: The Sarah Connors Chronicles.