Aural Fixations

ATHEIST
Piece of Time
Unquestionable Presence
Elements
(Relapse)
Along with Cynic and Watchtower, Florida's Atheist pioneered what's now referred to as technical metal, which is essentially death metal with unusually complex arrangements, an extremely high caliber of musicianship and lyrics that transcend the usual clich&eactue;s of war and pain. As Atheist leader Kelly Shaffer notes, think of a cross between Rush, Slayer and Mercyful Fate. The band's records have been out of print for years, but Relapse has rescued them from the abyss, remastering them and adding a slew of demos and live cuts as bonus tracks. (more)

DONOVAN
Try For the Sun: The Journey of Donovan
(Epic/Legacy)
When today's music fans hear the name Donovan, they more often than not think of two songs: "Sunshine Superman" and "Mellow Yellow." Probably the latter, in which case they've already pegged the Scottish singer/songwriter as a novelty act. But Donovan had a short career before "Mellow Yellow" and a longer one afterward, and Trying For the Sun: The Journey of Donovan attempts to prove that the psychedelic poet is more than just a two-hit wonder. Earnest folk song, psychedelic pop tunefulness, hippy excess, Celtic soul—it's all here, presented without apology. (more)