As the year begins to wind down, the release info has a tendency to gear up for the Holidays, thus holding back. Yep, it's pretty dry out there. Of course there is a little bit always trickling out but, for the most part, the well is "blocked" pending future considerations. I've expanded Friday's content by adding three new entries. I hope it helps, even if just a little.

And since I'm coming off a weekend, I have a blank and devoid mind, which means that I haven't been formulating a discussion in my head. But rest assured, they're there...waiting to be harvested. Actually, I've been running around with thoughts of Rhino in my head. The label, although losing a lot through lay-offs, still exists. But how does a label provide greatness if its operating on a greatly reduced staff? I'm not sure that it can without the marketplace feeling its aftershocks. I kinda feel like the lessening of Rhino feels like a massive foreshock while we wait for the BIG one to strike. I have a conversation to strike up regarding labels and their place. It's sure to bring up a lot of poison but WTH?! It'll be fun.

A single review for you today is for the extraordinary new Black Tape for a Blue Girl album, 10 neurotics. Sam Rosenthal, the core of the band, has always reached high in order to keep Black Tape for a Blue Girl excitingly different, yet maintaining the essence that makes the band one of the more exciting ones to be recording in this time. Check out the review, listen to some samples. You may be very surprised at how much you might like this band.

We'll be back on Wednesday.

Labrador Records, along with EMI, will release the new The Mary Onettes album called Islands, scheduling for November 3. We certainly liked their first album, which we reviewed almost a year ago. This should be good.

Season of Mist will reissue several Sopor Aeternus albums on November 3. The albums coming are La Chambre d' Echo - Where The Dead Birds Sing (2004), and Sanitorium Altrosa - Musical Therapy for Spiritual Dysfunction (2008). Sopor Aeternus has been likened to Dead Can Dance. I intend to check that out.

Vanguard Records will release Live at the Roxy for Iindigo Girls on DVD planning for November 3.

I had mentioned the upcoming vinyl releases of three Joni Mitchell classic titles (The Hissing of Summer Lawns, Ladies of the Canyon, Court and Spark). These three LP titles have been date-shifted to December 8. Also moved are the vinyl LP reissues of Pieces (Manassas), and Manassas (Stephen Stills), both 2LP, 180g.

RCA Records will release a 'best of' for The Foo Fighters called Greatest Hits. This collection will be released as a standard CD, a Deluxe Edition, and an LP version. Watch for this one on November 3.

The upcoming Weezer album, Raditude gets a date change. It is now scheduled for November 3. This is now slated for CD, DD, 2CD Deluxe Edition, DD Deluxe Edition, and vinyl LP. A Deluxe Edition of Pinkerton (1996) is planned for February 23, 2010 (but likely to change).

Hip-O Select will release Not Fade Away: The Complete Studio Recordings and More for Buddy Holly on November 24.

Eagle Vision will release a Billy Idol video called In Super Overdrive Live on both Blu-ray (BD), and DVD. Both formats are scheduled for November 17.

And that's it for this week. Drab and meagre, I know. Keep your fingers crossed for Monday gold.

Club Jazz fans should take immediate notice of City Life from the Jazz Quintet, The Dangling Success.  They build their endearing selection of songs, including a gracious rendition of The Rolling Stones' rockier “Beast of Burden,”into a collection of enjoyable instrumentals. 

The Niekrewicz experience is the centerpiece here with his saxophones.  But his accompanying band highlight his instrument with excellence, every note played in perfection.  The band's music is a time capture from the '70s and enjoyably so.  City Life is easy to fall in love with.  I highly recommend the full-album experience because you won't want to break this one apart. - ****

Imagine the AM radio Psychedelic Pop staples from the '60s and you're on target for the sound of the first album by Nurses.  Nurses is helmed by two pals who have recorded the body of this work, Apple's Acre, in attics and basements, delivering ten very cool-sounding retro-blasts that would have been at home in decades past.

This exploration of past musical styles have become the holy grail of bands, many who have dedicated themselves to the perfection of familiar sounds.  I'm not so sure that this is the case with Nurses as they sound like they would have invented the psychedelic/Pop style if it didn't already exist.  And that sentiment is very evident as you go from song to song.  Apple's Acre is a warm collection of songs that will have you interested from the beginning track. - ***

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.