Lou Reed Berlin: Live at St Ann's Warehouse, Matador, Album, October 20 ****
WHEN it was first released in 1973, the follow-up to the hugely successful Transformer received a mixed reception.
The die hard fans loved it... most people hated it.
But since then it's gone on to inspire and intrigue generations of musicians. Recorded more than three decades later, this live version is a reminder why.
Recorded over four days at St Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn, its release coincides with that of a DVD film documenting the historic performances.
Never one to just bash out the same old songs, his new interpretations are as haunting and cinematic as the first time around, with classics like Sweet Jane and Sad Song more than standing the test of time.
Miracle Fortress Poetaster, Rough Trade, Single, October 20 ****
THE latest single from Think About Life's Graham Van Pelt's solo project, Miracle Fortress, again ups the ante.
The follow-up to the beautiful pophymn Have You Seen In Your Dreams, it's equally as uplifting - a blissed out, space age love song.
Like fellow Canadians Arcade Fire, they straddle the line between gothic melodrama and sweeping pop.Beach Boys cheery optimism meets floaty, whispy vocals and a complex wall of sound - it's technically fascinating.
Sash! The Best Of, Hard2Beat, Album, October 20 **
IF you supped an alcopop in the local Ritzy at some point in the late 90s, the chances are you threw shapes to the sounds of this man.
Just 10 years on, it shouldn't qualify as nostalgia yet, but euro-dance has dated so quickly it already sounds quaint and slightly ridiculous.
Even if you've long hung up your glow stick, the likes of Encore Une Fois, Ecuador and Stay will be permanently etched in your memory. But like a school reunion, against your better judgement, it's not all bad, and once you guiltily press 'play' the memories come flooding back.
But spare a thought for poor Sascha Lappessen - Sash himself - who's still plugging away with 'new' single Raindrops (Encore Une Fois).
At least we can press 'stop'.
