This week’s releases include new studio albums from U.K. post-punk legends Wire and singer-songwriter Aimee Mann, plus a new 3CD best-of set from Scottish rockers Big Country and a 4CD box set collecting the late-’70s work on Epic Records from punk act The Vibrators.
Tonight’s “Saturday Night Live” season finale was notable for its final appearances by a number of soon-to-be-former castmembers, including, in all likelihood, Fred Armisen, who reprised his Ian Rubbish punk character with a live band that included Kim Gordon, Steve Jones, J Mascis, Carrie Brownstein, Aimee Mann and more.
This week’s new releases include brand-new albums from Dinosaur Jr (‘I Bet on Sky’) and Aimee Mann (‘Charmer’), plus expanded reissues of multiple titles from Echo & The Bunnymen’s Ian McCulloch and Aztec Camera, and a special U.S.-only 7-inch single from Paul Weller.
Q&A: Daniel Ash on Love and Rockets’ reunion, his new band — and figuring out how to play “So Alive” 
Q&A: Chris Frantz talks Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club and new book ‘Remain in Love’ 
Q&A: Hifi Sean on life after The Soup Dragons and the quest to make the perfect 7-inch 
Q&A: Steve Wynn on The Dream Syndicate’s first new album in nearly 30 years 
Q&A: Echo & The Bunnymen’s Will Sergeant on new instrumental trio Poltergeist 
Q&A: Steve Wynn on The Dream Syndicate reunion, upcoming tour — and new music 
Q&A: Bauhaus’ David J on his ‘accidental’ concept album ‘Not Long For This World’ 
Q&A: Howard Jones on revisiting ‘Human’s Lib,’ ‘Dream Into Action’ — and future plans 
Q&A: Peter Murphy on ‘Ninth,’ the break-up of Bauhaus, reuniting Dalis Car 
Q&A: Joey Santiago on Pixies’ ‘Doolittle’ tour, possible ‘Surfer Rosa’ shows, new album talk