I’ve been thinking about something over the last few months. Specifically, we have begun to see more and more new bands adopting decades-old musical styles, many of them as good as the influence they drink deeply from.

But another trend seems to be forming as well. The original bands from decades back seem to be doing much better than they would have five years ago. I attribute that to a lack of musical style advancement, meaning that we have heard it all. Rock is now just about what sounds good. It doesn’t matter too much anymore about creativity and/or an album of groundbreaking music. Instead, if the song (or the band) makes a pleasing song, then there is notice, however brief in the current scheme of things.  But often, the music itself is a derivative of styles gone by. So why not develop an appreciation for the originals that make the kind of solid music that people are favouring these days?  And that seems to be what’s happening.

That makes perfect sense to me. Not only is this a unifying force for the so-called generation gap, but it could translate into greater sales numbers.

Music has always been about what sounds good. But, in previous decades, we’ve also assigned value and worth to the artists that released the songs we loved. And we anticipated their next album or songs. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a return to that ideal in time.

I have a new review for you on this beginning of September.It is a review of the just released, but largely unknown EP named Live + Burn by The Opposite Sex. The review points backward toward the band's 2007 full-length album, Violent Heartstrings. Like Echo & The Bunnymen...The Cure...Siouxie and the Banshees...Gene Loves Jezebel? You're going to like The Opposite Sex.

I want to acknowledge the passing of Chris Connor, who, at the age of 81, lost a battle with cancer. She possessed quite a deep Jazz voice that was too difficult to forget once you heard it. She recorded for Atlantic Records and stayed with the label for 12 albums during her career. She will be missed...BUT what a voice for the Great Band.

OK, overactive Grim Reaper. You can have the rest of the year off.

TAP has a new artist for you. They're named Calypso. They hail from NYC; give 'em a listen. We even have a free MP3 for you. TAP has even updated the Great Album Covers. We still have a few more selections coming.

We'll coming back on Friday for the Weekend post.

Round 25 of Great Album Covers:

Jon U.:

A&M Records have plans to release a DD (Digital Download) version of 40/40 for The Carpenters, scheduling for October 20.

Island Records will release the highly anticipated remaster of The Unforgettable Fire from U2 on October 27. It will be released in 2CD, a 2CD Deluxe, LP, and a DD version of the title.

Fantasy Records plan the CD and DD release of Balm In Gilead from Rickie Lee Jones. It is on the slate for October 20.

Universal Republic plan to release the CD and DD format versions of the S/T debut from Miike Snow on October 20.

Quinlin Road will release The Olive and The Cedar by Loreena McKennitt on October 20.

Watch for Diamond and Studs from Morningwood, issued by VH1 Classic Records and planned for October 27.

Last week, we mentioned that Hip-O Select would be reissuing Gone Crazy (Grin), and Cry Tough (Nils Lofgren) as DD. We now know that they will also reissue as CD, all planned for October 27.

Verve Records will release Riffin': The Decca, JATP, Keynote, and Mercury Recordings for The Nat King Cole Trio. This CD set will be released on December 8.

Saranthan Records will release Traces from Peter Bradley Adams on October 20.

Varese Sarabande will release Steve Conte & the Crazy Truth by Steve Conti (New York Dolls, for those that don't know) on October 20. We're kinda excited about this one.

Trustkill Records will release the VA soundtrack for Saw VI on October 20.

Eagle Vision will release a DVD title for Roxy Music called More Than This - The Story of Roxy Music, on October 20. Eagle Vision will also release a DVD title for ZZ Top called Double Down Live - 1980 & 2008, same date.

Decca US will issue the upcoming Sting title, If On A Winter's Night, not only on CD and DD, but also LP, scheduled for October 27.

DGC will release the upcoming Weezer album, Raditude, on Lp, scheduling for October 27.

The band is fronted by brothers Sonny and Michael Kilfoyle who are self-described “New Yorkers/Brooklynites by way of  Boston.”  Their intentions are pure, and their music is loud. They’ve got a 4-song EP, Teen Age, out now, digitally.

There is a downloadable free MP3, "Casually Sad Mercedes" that you can have.

They can be sampled further at their MySpace,and Facebook pages.

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.