Juliana Hatfield is once again in the middle of an unstoppable creative streak, now mixing her needle-sharp pop sensibilities with some truly out-there production.

Monster (Universal Music Company). Review by Christopher Long.

Sonic Kicks (Yep Roc). Review by Matthew Moyer.

Congratulations (Sony/Columbia). Review by Matthew Moyer.

Wind’s Poem (PW Elverum and Son). Review by Matthew Moyer.

In author Pete Blecha’s new examination of the gnarled roots of Seattle rock music, he posits that it all started with the slurred words “Louie Louie.” Scott Adams obviously approves.

Greg Prato’s new oral history of Seattle music (or “grunge” to you and me, bucko) strikes the right balance between bratty humor and pathos, thinks Matthew Moyer. And was the bassist from Guns N’ Roses really in the Fastbacks? Read on,,,

With Me (Sonic Boom). Review by Linda Tate.

Misadventures in Radiology (Sonic Boom). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Tall Tales on Tape (Sonic Boom). Review by Eric J. Iannelli.