Track Listing: Higher, Burning at Sunset, Going Down, Simple to Say, Creep.

With its Cure-like bass lines and girly vocals a la Nico meets Monica Richards in Strange Boutique, I think this can be best described as ethereal rock. A delightful debut.

For more information: www.amberspyglass.net

Track Listing: Introduction, The Echoing Green, Laughing Song, Blind Man’s Buff, Spring, The Fly, Long John Brown and Little Mary Bell, The Little Boy Lost, The Little Girl Found, Night.

Whimsical, neo-classical music released from Prikosnovenie. If there was ever a cd to be classified as “Faerie Music”, this is it.

Track Listing: In Strict Confidence - Kiss Your Shadow, HMB - This Fire, Melotron - Tanz Mit Dem Teufel, Stromkern - Perfect Sunrise, Trigger10D - Most People Don’t Forget, Beborn Beton - Peach 2002, Controlled Fusion - War, Regenerator - Take Me, State of The Union - Enemy of the State, Deceptio Mentis - In Absence, Arcanta - Lakshmita.

This compilation album truly is a resurrection for Chicago’s WTII (formerly the legendary Wax Trax label.) A fantastic and contagious club compilation of synth pop and serious dark dance.

Track Listing: Sunday, Cactus, Slip Away, Slow Burn, Afraid, I’ve Been Waiting For You, I Would Be Your Slave, I Took A Trip On A, Gemini Spaceship, 5:15 The Angels Have Gone, Everyone Says ‘Hi’, A Better Future, Heathen (The Rays).

I giggled at the sticker on the cd stating ’Classic David Bowie for 2002”. Can something be new and classic? In this case, yes. David Bowie has had such “staying power” because his music always was perfect for the time – think back to the glamourous glitter of Ziggy Stardust, the 80’s Let’s Dance-era (although not my favourite, is perfect for the 1980’s), etc. Heathen brings everything together and has a timeless sensibilty to it that makes it sound like it could have been written today or years ago. Easy to listen to on repeat, and yes, Cactus is a Pixies cover.

Track Listing: Glide, Screamer, Human Astronomy, Persona Solara, Duracraft (Live).

Portland, Oregon’s The Prids managing to remain refreshingly post-punk while sounding deliciously in the now. As the website states, “The truth is in The Prids music itself”. This is the best unsigned band I’ve heard in years.

Track Listing: Creepy Baby Man, Run Dangerboy, Run, Gothic Surf-a-rama, Gothmobile, Tomb Mau Mau, Horseshoes (Up My Ass), Tomb Mau Mau (party mix).

The Vampire Beach Babes, hailing from Toronto, seem to have invented their own sub-genre of Goth. If you can believe there is such a thing as Gothic Surf Rock then come on in ‘cuz the water’s fine! This unique band will set your bikini-clad ass in motion with the CD’s best song “Gothic Surf-a-Rama”. Buy this Goth-oddity now at CD Baby.