PERFORMER: Jan and Dean
CD: “Jan & Dean: The Complete Liberty Singles” (Collector’s Choice Music)
WEBSITE: www.ccmusic.com

While 42 songs (remastered in glorious mono) may be more Jan & Dean than anyone ever needs, this two-disc set covers all the surf duo’s go-to tracks, including “Surf City,” “Dead Man’s Curve,” “Linda,” “Sidewalk Surfin’” and, of course, “Little Old Lady from Pasadena.” But preceding J&D’s chart hits, you’ll get a taste of early ’60s cheese-pop at its best.

The hand-picked backing musicians included Earl Palmer, Hal Blaine, Glen Campbell and Leon Russell, but the songs ranged from the weird, talking doo-wop of “Who Put the Bomp” to “Poor Little Puppet,” which is so earnest it sounds a bit like an outtake from the Mothers’ “Ruben & the Jets” era. While it’s been a long (long) time since artists and listeners actually took songs like this seriously, it’s really an incredible song. (more…)

PERFORMER: Alice Cooper
CD: “Along Came a Spider”
WEBSITE: www.alicecooper.com

Leave it to Alice Cooper to bless us with something dark, something sinister, something deviant — and something highly entertaining. “Along Came a Spider,” The Coop’s 25th studio album, contributes nicely to a catalog that has established him as one of rock’s most original storytellers.

It seems that about once per decade, The Artist Formerly Known as Vincent Furnier unveils a period-defining piece that mirrors society through the alter ego Alice (outside looking in, as it were). The 1970s had “Billion Dollar Babies,” while “Trash” and “The Last Temptation” presented a motif of the ’80s and ’90s, respectively. (more…)

ARTIST: Greg Camp
CD: “Defektor” (Bar-None/Seavolt)
WEBSITE: www.myspace.com/gregcamp

Not surprisingly, the debut from Smash Mouth guitarist/songwriter Greg Camp is a dizzying ride through a mélange of styles, each one executed with ear-pleasing accuracy.

From the opening instrumental, a Herb Alpert/Calexico surf/spaghetti Western quickie aptly titled “Introduktion,” Camp takes a tour through, well, music of the past few decades. Mutant forms of pop serve as the main course, but the influences are often assimilated so subtly that you’ll be hard-pressed to single them out. (more…)

PERFORMER: Little Richard
CD: “The Very Best of Little Richard” (Specialty/Concord Music Group)

On the strength of a handful of major hits, Little Richard Penniman helped define a decade. “Tutti Frutti” (cleaned up from the original “Tutti Frutti, Good Bootie” for the recording), “Long Tall Sally,” the irrepressible “Lucille” and “Rip It Up” were his calling cards.

Like many black artists of the day, Little Richard’s versions were eclipsed by white artists, in this case Elvis and Pat Boone. Unlike tepid Boone’s covers, two other LR hits, “Good Golly Miss Molly” and “Jenny Jenny” were respectfully turned into potent top 10 hits by Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels. (more…)

PERFORMER: The Stills
CD: “Oceans Will Rise” (Arts & Crafts)
WEBSITE: www.thestills.net

Don’t be put off by the ominous cover: an eerie, raised skull on a shiny, black background. Since forming in 2000, this Montreal quintet (frequent tour mates with Interpol and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) has gradually moved away from post-punk to a more produced, full sound that recalls the heyday of ’80s British groups like the Comsat Angels, early XTC, Echo & the Bunnymen and, alas, U2. But given the naturally humble Canadian demeanor, the result is compelling and personal rather than haughty or distant. (more…)