The Island Years

This double CD combines all three of his mid-'70s Island albums (Fear, Slow Dazzle, & Helen of Troy) into one package, with the addition of some interesting bonus tracks- outtakes from Slow Dazzle and Helen of Troy, the B-side 'Sylvia Said,' 'Leaving It Up to You' (which only appeared on early copies of Helen of Troy before 'Coral Moon' took its place), and 'Mary Lou' (from the 1977 Guts compilation). This was undeniably one of Cale's most fertile periods. Slipcase. Island. 1996.

Lou Reed has hogged the spotlight since the breakup of the legendary Velvet Underground, but his former bandmate John Cale has had a much more consistent solo career. Cale never scored a breakthrough hit like Reed's "Walk On the Wild Side," but this new two-CD collection of Cale's mid-'70s releases-including all of the Fear, Slow Dazzle, and Helen of Troy albums plus assorted unreleased rarities-is the perfect opportunity to reassess his influential merger of art-rock smarts, classical melodicism, theatrical drama, and punk-rock abandon. Cuts range from beautiful, lulling ballads such as "Buffalo Ballet" and "I Keep A Close Watch" to full-throttle sensory assaults like "Fear Is A Man's Best Friend" and an Elvis Presley cover that will make your blood run cold. Jim Derogatis