There have been a bunch of new releases lately that we've listened to ad nauseum at work. here's a rundown, if you care: Star Wars Scale JarJar -- Luke -- Anakin -- Jabba -- Han Solo -- Greedo -- Lando -- Yoda -- Vader -- Boba Fett

• VA- Instant Karma. This is a bunch of people covering John Lennon songs with the proceeds going to save Darfur. IT IS PAINFULLY HORRIFYING! Ack. Seriously, people. John Lennon songs don't need to be cheesed up. Contrary to what most people say, Avril Lavigne's rendition of "Imagine" was my favorite cover, because she sings it plainly and simply and doesn't really add any thing to it. It's a simple song, and she sings it the way it was meant to be, plain, letting the words speak for themselves. This is in sharp contrast to shit like Aerosmith Aerosmithing up "Give Peace a Chance," which makes me want to rip my eardrums out with a spit-encrusted microphone stand. People, please save Darfur so we don't have to hear anymore of this crappy CD! JAR JAR

Dinosaur Jr., Beyond: I completely missed Dino Jr. in the 90s; they were a band that totally escaped my notice. Thus said, this being the first Dinosaur Jr. album I've ever heard, I like it. I can't really say much more; I haven't heard it enough to say anything else. LANDO

• Marilyn Manson, Eat Me, Drink Me: I really like this CD. it's a return to the darker side of MM, only it's way more personal than the rest of his works. Some of the lyrics cheese out a bit, but hey, it *is* Marilyn Manson. He's not exactly known for subtlty. YODA
• White Stripes, Icky Thump. I FREAKING LOVE THIS CD! I've been over the White Stripes since Elephant; guitar rock and minimalistic drums just haven't been working for me lately. However, this album has bagpipes, Spanishoid overtones, and all sorts of cool stuff. ROCK ON! VADER
• Queens of the Stone Age, Era Vulgaris. I really like this CD. It's like their other stuff, but seems to rock more. It sounds a little more proggy, but not in a bad way. I can't explain it. LANDO
• Ellen Allien Fabric 34: FREAKING AWESOME!!! I wasn't that excited by her Other Side: Berlin mix, but this one is really awesome. BOBA FETT
• The Horrors, Strange House: I actually am digging this Cd a lot. It's metal-oid, but it sounds like early Bauhaus to me. LANDO
• Sage Francis - Human the Death Dance: I like this a lot. It gets better and better the more you listen to it. LANDO