#739 - Seconds of Pleasure, Rockpile

"Time has been nothing but kind to this record and, judged on its own merits, it's one of hell of a good time. At its core, Seconds of Pleasure is an invigorating blend of the strengths of Lowe and Edmunds, who may have had a shared love of pre-Beatles rock & roll -- particularly Chuck Berry and the Everly Brothers -- but had very different aesthetics." (allmusic guide)

#738 - New Adventures In Hi-Fi, R.E.M.

"An admirably weird record, supposedly assembled from pieces written and recorded during sound checks on the Monster tour. Don't expect consistency or an over-arching vision, but with fourteen tracks dipping their toes into every pool the band's ever gone swimming in, from indie jangle to major-label muscle rock, there're bound to be one or two songs you love." (real music guide)

#737 - Passion, Peter Gabriel

"Gabriel's 1989 soundtrack to the Martin Scorcese film The Last Temptation of Christ, Passion takes inspiration from a myriad of Middle Eastern influences. The result is an excellent, vibrant release that merges traditional music, modern production, and a masterful sense of drama. Hear the music that inspired this soundtrack on Passion: Sources." (real music guide)

#736 - From A Basement On The Hill, Elliott Smith

"It's unavoidable that Elliott Smith's posthumous album is going to have an air of sadness around it, but the music itself is far from a sad affair: it's more like a White Album celebration, with a sympathetic ear turned toward the more unsteady moments. "Pretty (Ugly Before)" and "Strung Out Again" are highlights." (real music guide)

#735 - Seal, Seal

"London singer/songwriter Seal certainly made a name for himself with his eponymous debut despite the comparison to fellow London mate, the raspy-soul Terence Trent D'Arby. But Seal is more relaxed, and his craftsmanship is delicate and well-defined. Lyrical depictions are light, songwriting is personal, and production credits are most impressive." (allmusic guide)