Ed The Sock — The Unwashed Collection

CityTV and MuchMusic’s stogie-smokin’ stocking gets a chance to show his eclectic music tastes to the masses. A warning label and opening, "Greetings," state this compilation features "real music by real artists," meaning that those of you into sugary sweet pop can go kiss Ed’s, um, derriere. Yet His Royal Stocking’s palette mainly reflects those angst-ridden moments when the Dr. Scholl’s foot powder isn’t working at full capacity. Expectedly, Ed’s choices are all over the map. Sum 41, Bif Naked and House of Pain satisfy his anger management side. Warrant, Quiet Riot and Billy Squier tap into his keen fromage sense. And LiveOnRelease, Tenacious D and Robin Black try to give the green-tousled sock a cool rep. A decent mixed bag overall, until Ed shills out his attempt at the mic, covering Billy Joel’s "You May Be Right." Curses! How could Canada’s king of all media disguised as hosiery become such a sellout?.