It's very, very quiet in new release-land this time of year. I don't know how I feel about that. On the one hand, it's less work for me as far as writing this column goes. On the other, it seems like opportunities have been missed. Oh well, I suppose people do dial back on their music purchases for a bit.

I was almost tempted to say "Forget it!" after sifting through the release data, but there were a couple of things that caught my eye.

(Note: There will be no Tuesday Morning Purchase next week because 1) There's probably nothing coming out and 2) I have a pile of pierogi's to make on Monday night)

Live in San Francisco - Biohazard (2B1)/Rock

My nephew loved this band. He was always giving me their cassettes and I'd practically blow the windows out of my truck on the morning drives. Strangely, this brand of metal isn't normally my thing.

Strange Man, Changed Man - Bram Tchaikovsky (Hip-O Select)/Rock

Two releases in this week's Purchase and one gets pick of the week? Yessir! I have a totally worn out vinyl copy of this pop nugget and am tremendously excited that it'll finally be on CD. I need to hear "Girl Of My Dreams" again. Thank gawd for Hip-O Select Records.