Album

The band inevitably dubbed the "Japanese Kraftwerk"

Dylan sidekick's country-rock debut gets dusted down 30 years on

With this triple-pronged DVD release, GN'R are freeze-framed forever: caught in a moment, celebrated and finally tucked away as a fond memory. The video collection tops and tails an extraordinary achievement while, live, the band are at their most untouchable and preposterous. Surely Axl must have sacked, then sued, the stylist for the lycra micro-shorts...

Prolific producer Luke Vibert's Cornish disco masterclass

From the intriguing Fran McDormand movie which—as one of its few flaws—suggested Britpop could flourish in LA, an eclectic, rather excellent collection. Whether we needed actor Alessandro Nivola to team up with Lou Barlow on two tracks is debatable, but around them you'll find Mercury Rev's exquisite "In A Funny Way" (one of the best things they've done), Butthole Surfers' wry "Shame Of Life", Steely Dan, Clinic and Sparklehorse. Not eclectic enough yet? Throw in Eartha Kitt growling "C'est Si Bon" and—again, woo-hah—T.

Edward Hopper-inspired second solo album from the former Stone Roses guitarist

Grandiose free-ranging psych pop that just stands the test of time

Cropredy 1997 was a valiant attempt to bring together all the significant Fairport line-ups. At best, this is a memento of the occasion, and should carry a "For Diehards Only" warning. With Ian Matthews absent and Vicki Clayton only a spirited stand-in for the irreplaceable Sandy Denny, this ersatz model sounds unconvincing. Only the Full House band workouts truly pass muster, with both Richard Thompson and Dave Swarbrick in sparkling form. The rest reflects the patchiness of Fairport's work from the mid-'80s onwards, when the band's salad days were over.

Overlooked 1975 album from Lancashire balladeer with overtones of Bowie and Elton

The musical side project of Jack Black and his guitar-playing sidekick Kyle Gass, Tenacious D are a pomp-rocking hybrid of Spinal Tap, South Park and The Darkness. This meaty double-disc set contains a live Brixton concert, the duo's original HBO series, scatological short films and tons more. It's all strong stuff, with cameos by Spike Jonze and Dave Grohl as the Devil. A cult worth discovering.