Whoa Jelly! Remember those lazy days in the sun, drinking lemonade, while a dreamy Lemon Jelly track floated in the background? Those days are over — at least for now. On their latest, U.K. blokes Nick Franglen and Fred Deakin change things up a bit. Taking the place of trippy relaxation is an enjoyable mix of rock, pop and electronica. Each dually titled track features a sample taken from the year after which the track is named. Fans of LJs previous albums will enjoy ’68 aka Only Time and ’75 aka Stay with You (the album’s first single). The second single, ’79 aka the Shouty Track leaves nothing to the imagination. It’s four minutes of shouty dullness. Hot on the heels of 2004’s Has Been, Captain Kirk makes a welcome vocal contribution on ’64 aka Go. The usual Lemon Jelly substance is there — it’s just a different mould. Yummy.

Shannon Ander

Trojan Records enjoys the luxury of immediate access to a huge back catalogue of some of the most-treasured old-school reggae recordings ever created. This 23-track compilation collects a fairly broad range of artists musically linked to the early ’70s popularity of chop-socky Kung Fu movies. Trojan collections can be hit-and-miss affairs at the best of times, and this one falls squarely in the middle. The Upsetters and Lee Perry tracks are patently weird and wonderful as usual but the lacklustre performances by many of the secondary artists just cannot be recommended. Granted, this set will perform its duty as an eye-opening introduction to anyone interested in only scratching the surface of roots-reggae from this golden age. Fans expecting the usual, inspired fire and brimstone will be disappointed by the overall fizzle.

Jeff Monk

In 1970, modern-day Vikings were burning villages to the galloping beats of Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song. Today’s Viking prefers darker, heavier fare. So be it, says Ulvhedin, a three-piece outfit from Norway. This Viking Metal debut was actually released in 2001 but was re-issued in late 2004 and warrants a listen. An eight-track offering of epic black music, Pagan Manifesto contains less of the intricate, showy shredding often common in Eurometal, as head viking John Lind chooses to layer more deliberate lead sections over grim and churning riffs. Some tracks occasionally bog down in the bottom end and drag a bit, but cuts such as Where the Spirits Gather and The Ungodly path are powerful and menacing. Fans of Einherjer and Primodial will raise a sword to this disc, just don’t bang your head so hard your Viking helmet falls off — that shit’s pointy.

Mike Warkentin

Vancouver-based singer/songwriter Leeroy Stagger is the kind of artist who is blessed with the ability to create atmosphere. The follow-up to last year’s stellar Dear Love, Beautiful House is the sort of disc that meanders out of your speakers, mixes with candlelight and smoke and makes the room seem warmer and fuller. Leeroy’s tone is mournful and pained but not without an undercurrent of resilience and hope, and his raspy voice is as charming as it was on his first outing. Track highlights include Count Me Out, an uptempo tune featuring sustained, distorted chords laced with reverb, and the title track, an acoustic ballad laced with the brutal irony of modern suburban life. Stagger’s songwriting talents are very much in evidence throughout this Danny Michel-produced effort and ensure that each song is a deep and beautiful effort. Get this for those lonely nights — Leeroy’s good company.

Mike Warkentin

In the U.K., “wiley” is a word used to describe someone who is either a troublemaker or a loose cannon. Roland Cowie (aka Wiley), however, seems to be more of a regulator than a public nuisance — at least judging by his music, which is filled to the brim with helpful tidbits and useful insight. Treddin’ on Thin Ice is an intriguing combo of trendy lyrical content and snappy British ingenuity. Pay close attention as Wiley leads teenage rebels and misfits out of ignorance and into social enlightenment. This is an outstanding hip hop album, featuring a variety of dance-happy tracks laced with socially conscious verses. Impressive and fully equipped, Treddin’ on Thin Ice should inspire listeners to get off their lazy asses and become more involved.

Horace Carrington