It’s been four years since Ween last released a record—and even longer perhaps since their odd brand of demented joke-pop felt relevant. But the duo from New Hope, Penn. is looking for just that with La Cucaracha, their ninth studio album in 17 years. “Fiesta” and “Your Party” set the ambiguously cheerful tune, and the horn play of Jazz saxophonist David Sanborn, known for being Uplifting, makes it seem clear Ween has shaken off whatever “health concerns” they may have had. The thing about Ween is it was never just the jokes; they're damn great musicians. Here's hoping La Cucaracha can get off its back.

Two musical acts who call Brooklyn home have something new to fill the tinny earbuds of F train iPods. Raymond Raposa, otherwise known as Castanets—earns some unwanted street cred with In the Wines, written weeks after he was mugged outside of his Bed Stuy dwelling. Believe or not, the advance word is that the album is a bit dark. Given the critical acclaim he got for Cathedral and First Night’s Freeze, it’s something worth picking up.  read more »