Spin Cycle is a biweekly roundup of the latest music releases selected by Citysearch editors.

Nine Inch Nails [ tickets ]
"and all that could have been" (Nothing)
Street date: 1/22

Nine Inch Nails' first live album is part greatest-hits, part digital experiment: Trent Reznor stitches together songs from different stops on the 2000 Fragility tour in an attempt to give the overall effect of one career-encompassing show. While Reznor's editing is a seamless testament to the power of ProTools, the performances are uneven--"Terrible Lie," the leadoff track, doesn't gain strength until it's half-finished, but an absolutely ferocious version of "Wish" almost makes up for that. The songs are also performed in a fairly straightforward manner; one would expect a band so notorious for its constant tendencies towards de- and reconstructing itself to offer up a few surprises. Those are saved for the deluxe edition's nine-song companion disc, "still," with stripped-down arrangements of songs like "The Day the World Went Away" featuring whispered vocals and a pervasive sense of melancholy. --Maura Johnston, citysearch.com

Hank Williams III [ tickets ]
"Lovesick, Broke & Driftin'" (Curb)
Street date: 1/29

The new album by the grandson of country legend Hank Williams is everything it should be: ebullient, folksy and boastful. Between a dozen original songs and a choice cover (Bruce Springsteen's "Atlantic City"), Hank III, as he calls himself, bashes the Nashville music industry, mourns spilled drinks and triggers more than a few memories of his granddad's famed warble. A handful of the songs are mundane, but even the slightest among them are elevated by Williams' warm singing and the band's inventive playing--sneaky modulations and lively, freeform solos. Most country musicians have, at one point or another, mouthed off against Nashville along the lines of Williams' aptly named "Trashville." But few would record such a song, and fewer still would employ Z.Z. Top guitarist Billy Gibbons to rev it up. Just because a country record rocks doesn't make it country-rock. This is heartfelt, hard-driving stuff, and makes good on its pedigree. --Marc Weidenbaum, citysearch.com

Shannon McNally [ tickets ]
"Jukebox Sparrows" (Capitol)
Street date: 1/8

Shannon McNally's sultry voice and songwriting talent live up to its current major-label hype. Producer Ron Aniello (Lifehouse, Days of the New) employs some of L.A.'s finest studio musicians to flesh out her songs, but on his watch, they end up going for the obvious--copping a Sheryl Crow vibe on "Bolder than Paradise" and using the same feel from the intro to Tom Petty's "Refugee" on the intro to "Bitter Blue." Stylistically, "Jukebox Sparrows" is reminiscent of everyone from Emmylou Harris to Stevie Nicks to Joan Osbourne. McNally crosses the line on "Colorado," which is so derivative of Pink Floyd's "Us and Them," she borders on copyright infringement. She does find her own niche on the hypnotic "Now That I Know." And "It Ain't Easy Being Green," with its Booker T-style B-3 line, is extremely catchy. One hopes she continues writing songs like those two, and develops a unique approach. --Don Harvey, austin.citysearch.com

Matthew Shipp [ tickets ]
"Nu Bop" (Thirsty Ear)
Street date: 1/22

Avant-garde jazz pianist Matthew Shipp explores DJ culture on his latest release, and the result is one of his funkiest albums to date. On such pieces as "Space Shipp" and "Rocket Shipp," Shipp pounds out crushing chords on his acoustic piano like he's playing the congas, matching the deep, driving pulse of drummer Guillermo E. Brown and the soulful bass lines of William Parker. But it's the addition of programmer Chris Flam (DJ Spooky), who adds swirling soundscapes and hip-shaking beats that make the disc interesting. On many tracks, the improvisations of Shipp and Parker take a backseat to the thundering work of Flam and Brown. Several slower, more introspective compositions--one featuring flutist Daniel Carter--make for peaceful interludes in the sea of pumping rhythms. By fusing elements of both jazz and electronica, Shipp has created something emotionally powerful and worth a listen. --Curtis Waterbury, portland.citysearch.com

Felix Da Housecat
"Kittenz and Thee Glitz" (Emperor Norton)
Street date: 1/22

Chicago house legend Felix Da Housecat (aka Felix Stallings [ tickets ]) has released dozens of dance records under various monikers since he unleashed his debut single "Phantasy Girl" at the age of 15. Now, with a cadre of collaborators known as Thee Glitz, Felix conjures an international glam underworld with synths and drum machines. "Kittenz and Thee Glitz" suggests Kraftwerk crashing a party at the Playboy Mansion. But rather than simply reference the '80s, Felix blends disco, electro and soul in an infectious and original set. Bored French gal Miss Kittin contributes deadpan vocals on "Madame Hollywood," while Felix himself and guest vocalist Harrison Crump (Susumu Yokota, Juan Atkins) do some stunning quiet-storming on ballads "Runaway Dreamer," "Walk with Me" and "Pray for a Star." "Kittenz and Thee Glitz" should have enormous cross-over potential with fans of art-disco bands such as Chicks on Speed and Ladytron. Heads-up, Euro-clubbers. --John Dugan, chicago.citysearch.com

Previous Spin Cycles:

Jan. 10: "I Am Sam," "Mark Twain," Starsailor, Webb Pierce tribute, Concrete Blonde

Nov. 29: KISS, Simon & Garfunkel, Miles Davis, Grateful Dead, history of black music, Cat Stevens, Billie Holiday, Thelonious Monk

Nov. 15: Michael Jackson, Prince, Natalie Merchant, Shelby Lynne, McCoy Tyner

Nov. 1: Lenny Kravitz, Dave Matthews Band, Bush, "Harry Potter" soundtrack, Jad Fair & Daniel Johnston

Have a comment or question? Send a message to the Spin Cycle editor: Don Harvey.