This week we have a very wide range of styles: burning blues, folk, jazz, and downright scary rock. That and one of the best band names I've ever heard.

Just Like It Is - Monster Mike Welch (BGB)/Blues

When Monster Mike started out, he was a not-quite-grown mannish boy with a deep voice and freakish ability on the guitar. I haven't heard a lick from him since seeing him at a double bill with Debbie Davies many years ago. Time to check him out again.

Live at Bearsville Theater - Dar Williams (Razor & Tie)/Heart-melting folk

One of my favorite folk singers, Dar Williams writes beautiful songs that sometimes bring tears to my eyes. I'm really looking forward to checking out this concert DVD.

Drum Sketches - Susie Ibarra (Innova)/Jazz

Wow, one of my favorite out-there drummers creating solo drum music. This kind of thing might not be for everybody, but it can be a mind-expanding experience.

My Foolish Heart: Live at Montreux - Keith Jarrett,Gary Peacock,Jack DeJohnette (ECM)/Jazz

This CD has been in my to-be-reviewed heavy rotation for a while now. I've posed the question before, "Do we really need another Jarrett/Peacock/DeJohnette live recording?" Somehow, the answer is almost always "Yes".

Danza II: The Electric Boogaloo - Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza (Metal Blade)/Ah, who cares!!

I'm not so sure about this band's music, but man, their name is beautiful! I'm also drawn to song titles such as "Nobody Eats BBQ Two Days In A Row" and "Rollin' and Tumblin' on Satan's Rotisserie."

Gyrate + - Pylon (Dfa)/Rock

One of the bands from Athens Georgia that never made it out from under REM's shadow. Funny, I've read tons about this band, but have never listened to this record all the way through. Bring on the reissue.

Piouhgd/Widowmaker - Butthole Surfers (Latino Bugger Veil)/Scary rock

I'm not sure if they're the weirdest band to come out of Texas (are there empirical measures for these sorts of things?), but they're weird enough. There's something more than a little disturbing about this band. Heck, the album titles alone (Rembrandt Pussyhorse, Hairway To Steven) creep me out a little. Anyhow, this is a reissue that combines Piouhgd from 1990 with the Widowmaker EP from 1989. I've heard neither of them, and I'm still a little afraid.

R.E.M. Live - R.E.M. (Warner Bros.)/Rock

Speaking of afraid, when I found out that this record was coming out, I was afraid that it would carry the zombie stench of Around The Sun. So far, I've been pleasantly surprised. The concert versions of tunes from that record come across as much more lively and full of detail. I remember thinking during the first listen to Sun that it sounded like REM had forgotten how to rock. Turns out I was wrong.

Reverse the Polarity - Chuck Dukowski Sextet

Dukowski, former bass player for Black Flag, has a band that's frightening for different reasons. The songs that I've heard don't easily fit into any category. They probably don't have to. I mean, check out the first part of Dulowski's vision: Punk rock is dead. Maybe we can stand on its corpse and reach a higher ground. Maybe not. Perhaps the flimsy imitators and the cleansing maggots of tomorrow's fresh style have weakened punk's bony skeleton too much. It might take us nowhere. Crumble on punk rock! We give you props.

Step right up, folks!