New Releases: It's Like '93 All Over Again

If you're feeling a bit of deja vu in the next couple of days, there's good reason. This Tuesday's new album releases will be a dizzying reminder of how things were in the dangerous days of the early '90s when "alternative" was alternative and Stone Temple Pilots hadn't yet successfully co-opted everything.

First and foremost, Pearl Jam make their return to working with "The Man" (in this case, J/Sony BMG) tomorrow with their self-titled, seventh proper studio album. The release has been preceded by a well-engineered campaign of leaks and announcements, so pretty much every Jambag (or whatever their fans call themselves) should be aware of the album's release. Bonus points to the PJs for opening their upcoming world tour in Toronto.

Rumours that Tool's fifth proper album, 10,000 Days, would be a more radio-friendly effort are outright lies. Maynard James Keenan and his gang of tripped-out grunt rockers are as brooding and twiddling as ever — which will no doubt please the Toolsheds. The last Tool record, Lateralus, debuted at #1 in the U.S. But they'll be in tough this time to repeat against the Jammers.

A couple of other stalwarts from back in the day will also get their hands dirty this week. Industrial metal pioneers Ministry probably peaked in '91 with their vicious anti-Bush Sr. record, Psalm 69. Their new Rio Grande Blood attempts to recapture that anger by focusing on Bush Jr.

Also have a look for The Charlatans U.K.'s Simpatico.

A rarity in the rap game, Mobb Deep have had a long career that just keeps building. Their new Blood Money album has received the personal stamp of approval from 50 Cent and his G-Unit posse, so there's gonna be an army to back that record up.

This week's releases will go much deeper than triumphant returns of '90s stars, though. Also coming out will be Hamilton noise-rockers Sailboats Are White with Turbo, The Black Keys' Chulahoma, Thursday's A City By The Light Divided and the very well-hyped self-titled Wolfmother album.