42 up 1998

For many years, Metallica's 1987 EP Garage Days Re-Revisited was the most sought-after item in their catalog; it was constantly bootlegged in the '90s, and often supplemented by a host of covers Metallica had released on singles and compilations throughout the years. By 1998, the band had understandably grown frustrated with this situation and decided to confront the problem head-on by reissuing all these rarities. Savvy businessmen that they are, they also realized they needed to give hardcore fans who already owned all the covers a reason to purchase the new set – hence, the expansion of the Garage Days EP to the double-disc blowout Garage, Inc…

Fragile was Yes' breakthrough album, propelling them in a matter of weeks from a cult act to an international phenomenon; not coincidentally, it also marked the point where all of the elements of the music (and more) that would define their success for more than a decade fell into place fully formed…

Canadian duo Mythos synthesize dance beats, various world musics, and new age sensibilities in a manner akin to an Enigma or Deep Forest. Bob D'Eith (keyboards) and Paul Schmidt (guitar) grew up in Vancouver, both receiving classical training on their respective instruments; the result was their Juno-nominated, Canada-only 1997 debut, Introspection. Mythos then signed with Higher Octave and released their self-titled international debut in 1998. The album's rich classical melodies blend with African tribal rhythms and traditional Oriental Middle Eastern tones to create a sound that is unique, otherworldly, and elegant. With over an hour of music, this self-titled recording includes the best of the previously released album Introspection plus seven new tracks.

Anyone who associates "Texas Flood" only with Stevie Ray Vaughan has never auditioned Larry Davis' version. Davis debuted on vinyl in 1958 with the song, his superlative Duke Records original remaining definitive to this day despite Vaughan's impassioned revival many years down the road. Davis grew up in Little Rock, AR, giving up the drums to play bass. Forging an intermittent partnership with guitarist Fenton Robinson during the mid-'50s, the pair signed with Don Robey's Duke label on the recommendation of Bobby Bland. Three Davis 45s resulted, including "Texas Flood" and "Angels in Houston," before Robey cut Davis loose. From there, Davis was forced to make the most of limited opportunities in the studio. He lived in St. Louis for a spell and took up the guitar under Albert King's tutelage while playing bass in King's band.

Looking for Robertson represented on a studio CD that matches the intensity of his live performances? Producer Joe Harley has done it. Harley lets Robertson rip loose, mixing his zydeco roots with his growing years breathing Texas fire. Joining him on the cattle drive are Little Feat's Richie Hayward and Bill Payne, Bob Glaub (John Fogerty), and fellow Texan Joe Sublett of the Texacali horns.

If one had to point to a single initial salvo that launched the garage rock revival movement in the 1970s and ‘80s, it would have to be the release of Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968 in 1972. Elektra Records had approached rock critic Lenny Kaye (not yet the guitarist with the Patti Smith Group) with the notion of compiling an album of great, overlooked rock tunes, but what Kaye came up with was something significantly different – an overview of the great, wild era when American bands, goaded by the British Invasion, began honing in on a tougher and more eclectic rock & roll sound, and kids were reawakened to the possibilities of two guitars, bass, and drum…