New In 2025

Branford Marsalis

Artemis

Sun Ra

Just announced, a Rhino Records "High Fidelity" reissue of The Ramones fourth album, Road To Ruin. While perhaps not their strongest album material-wise, it is notable for the appearance of drummer Marky in place of original drummer Tommy. Marky is a much more "muscular" drummer than Tommy, so for me his drumming made for a stronger band.

But this reissue leads me to ask a question. Does an album like Road To Ruin really need or deserve  a "high fidelity" reissue? The sound of the album is fine for what it is, but what it isn't is an album with audiophile sound quality. Why not just release it as a normal reissue, for half the price (Rhino's High Fidelity albums retail for about forty bucks)?

I Do Not Play No Rock ’n’ Roll by Mississippi Fred McDowell comes out April 11th on Jackpot Records. The album was originally released in 1969, and is I believe one of Chad Kassem’s favorite Blues albums. Jackpot Records is located in Portland Oregon, so I can pick up a copy right at their storefront. No shipping charge, no sales tax (Oregon has none)!