Listen to me: Chan, the critic gives his slant on this week's new music releases

Pearl Jam: Live Bootlegs (Epic)

Pearl Jam is a shell of its former grunge hype.

So what is so interesting about releasing 28 live double-Cds in an attempt at reliving past hits and recent unfocused gibberish?

Absolutely nothing.

Here is my explanation: The shows were recorded on its recent mild European tour, which was a set of shows that nobody cared about or heard of on this side of the Atlantic. Secondly, due to its constant media mistakes, they've lost most of their fan base. Among the frequent Eddie Vedder and co-horts screw-ups are no videos, limited shows in the boonies, a Ticketmaster debacle and the frequent hermit-like activities from music promotion.

In fact, not only do they mess up by shying from the media, their only success has been a cover of a song that was meant to be a Christmas bonus for its fan club. Fan club? Where are the fans? Furthermore, Pearl Jam was so desperate for record sales that they ended up releasing the single. Talk about confusing!

What does this all mean? Most likely, a pathetic attempt at filling 30-album contract that they signed at the height of their popularity.  The albums will once again be available at the band's official Web sites and eventually make their way to retail stores alongside their previous live album "Live on two legs", which was released two years ago.  What was the purpose of that release in light of the new releases? Once again, absolutely nothing.

For a better buying experience, retailers should file Pearl Jam under Stone Temple Pilots in the stores.

Brian Wilson: Brian Wilson (Rhino Records/Warner Archives)

This is a cool release, because Brian Wilson for a period time optimized cool. Rhino Records, a brilliant label in terms of re-releases, pulls out all the bonuses for this CD edition of Wilson's 1988 solo album. In addition to the original tracks, there will be 15 bonus cuts, including four rare non-LP single sides, demo version and interview segments.

Martha Stewart: Spooky, Scary Sounds for Halloween (Rhino)

Martha Stewart is evil.

This release is fitting of that status. Instead of broccoli dishes and curtains designed with candle drippings, Stewart has put together a collection of sound effects for Halloween. Elvira beware.

Various Artists: VH1: The Best of Where Are They Now (Rhino)

VH1 has become a station that profiles the rejected and the regurgitated artists in the music industry. The first collection of hits from the VH1 program is a batch of songs one would hear while watching repeats of the "We are the world" video -- the extended remix version. Offenders include Bow Wow Wow's "I Want Candy," and Banan-anrama's "Cruel Summer."

• Mack 10: The Paper Route (Hoo Bangin'/Priority)
• Various Artists: Loud Rocks (Loud/Columbia)
• Ryan Adams: Heartbreaker (Bloodshot)
• Man Ö or Astro-Man?: A Spectrum of Infinite Scale (Touch & Go)
• C-Murder: Trapped in Crime (No Limit)
• The 6ths: Hyacinths and Thistles (Merge)
• Bettie Serveert: Private Suit (Parasol)
• Mojave 3: Excuses for Travelers (Beggars Banquet/4AD)
• Madison Avenue: Madison Avenue (Columbia)
• The Black Heart Procession: 3 (Touch & Go)
• Alastair Galbraith: Cry (Emperor Jones)
• Groop Dogdrill: Every Six Seconds (Beggars Banquet)
• The Hot Club of Cowtown: Dev'lish Mary (Hightone)
• The Insomniacs: Get Something Going (Estrus)
• Josie: Unkunvenshunal Girl (Qwest/Warner Bros.)
• No Question: No Question (Ruffnation/Warner Bros.)
• Pinetop Seven: Bringing Home the Last Great Strike (Atavistic)
• Trans Am: Red Line (Thrill Jockey