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Box Sets [2]
Reviews of music box sets ideal for the giving season.
— AUSTIN CHRONICLE
 
Cool Yule (And Not So) [3]
Overview of what to pick up for your holiday parties and listening pleasure.
— Michael Henningsen, WEEKLY ALIBI
 
Holiday Hoedowns [4]
In the record biz, Christmas means cash, and more and more unlikely acts are celebrating.
— the Boston Phoenix music staff, THE BOSTON PHOENIX
 
Record Breaking [6]
Top picks for Chicago CDs.
— Dave Chamberlain, NEWCITY CHICAGO
 

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Unhappy New Year [5]
Dark days lie ahead for country—and Music Row's already building arks.
— Beverly Keel, NASHVILLE SCENE
 

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All the Pain Platinum Can Buy [9]
Join Fastball for 72 hours of marathon touring and see how these local boys have made good ... and are trying to stay good.
— Andy Langer, AUSTIN CHRONICLE
 
Graceland Grads [10]
Twelve years ago, Paul Simon's "Graceland" album introduced many Americans to African pop music for the first time. Now two graduates of that release are trying to expand the Afropop market.
— Banning Eyre, THE BOSTON PHOENIX
 
Cookin' Cajun [11]
Michael Doucet has the power to change Arizona into Louisiana.
— Dave Irwin, TUCSON WEEKLY
 
All-Inclusive [12]
Profiles Doug Sahm, the anti-Garth Brooks.
— Michael McCall, NASHVILLE SCENE
 

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Soundbites [13]
When in Vegas, do as the hedonists do--even if it means paying $50 a ticket to see Willie Nelson.
— Stephen Seigel, TUCSON WEEKLY
 
Tough Stuff [14]
There's more to Christmas than fruitcake and gift certificates.
— Marcel Smith, NASHVILLE SCENE
 

Now What? [17]
If you go gaga over the sultry smoothness of a symphonic glissando, just wait till you experience our transitions to cool and useful music links on the Web.
— WEEKLY WIRE
 

ou'll want to stuff your friends' CD changers instead of their stockings after reading Austin Chronicle's 14 box-set picks to click, including the Nuggets collection and compilations from XTC, Bongwater and Charlie Parker. Weekly Alibi's Michael Henningsen drops the coolest holiday-themed releases down your chimney. And Boston Phoenix staffers pull out some hot chestnuts of their own, while Newcity Chicago's Dave Chamberlain highlights the year's best releases from Windy City bands.

Not everybody sports a rosy glow this season, however. Nashville Scene's Beverly Keel predicts an "Unhappy New Year" for country music. Austin Chronicle's Andy Langer watches a frantic Fastball trying to keep up the platinum-selling pace. And "Graceland" veterans are pushing hard to expand the audience for Afropop, notes Banning Eyre of the Boston Phoenix.

Artist profiles this week also include Ragin' Cajun Michael Doucet, and the anti-Garth Doug Sahm. Reviews include R.E.M.'s "delightful and endearing" 12th album, "Up," the improvisational force that is Squarepusher, plus Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and blasts from the past Joni Mitchell and The Cowsills. Live Report recounts some holiday tuneage and a pricey Willie Nelson gig.

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Walking Unafraid [7]
Checking in on those wild-eyed Southern boys, R.E.M.
— Ben Taylor, NASHVILLE SCENE
 
Mixed Media [8]
Squarepusher's new "Music Is Rotted One Note" is as close to a collective improvisation as one person is capable of recording on his own.
— Douglas Wolk, THE BOSTON PHOENIX
 

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Rhythm and Views [15]

• Joni Mitchell
• The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
• The Asteroid # 4

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