News and notes: Los Lobos, The Beatles, KISS, Stryper

Los Lobos

In my latest Kinslerscope column published in Desert Star Weekly, I look at the 20th anniversary release of Los Lobos' 1992 masterpiece Kiko. You can read my review of that special re-release, as well as several related collections from Shout! Factory released earlier this week that are available on audio CD, DVD and Blu-ray and feature Los Lobos performing that seminal album live in concert.

On a related note, Los Lobos will perform Kiko in its entirety on public radio station KCRW (89.9 FM) on the Morning Becomes Eclectic program at 11:15 a.m. (Pacific Time) on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012.

Now fans of the Fab Four and comic books have something in common. A recently-published book titled The Beatles in Comic Strips (Skira, $39.95) features approximately 200 strips featuring - you guessed it - John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

USA Today columnist Whitney Matheson has penned a great overview on the collection, and her Pop Candy blog also features some of the colorful strips from the new book you can view here. Good to know that now the next time you take a ride on a Yellow Submarine or go on that special Magical Mystery Tour, you have the perfect book to take along!



On the latest episode of Music Worth Buying, my trusty co-host TJR goes solo this week with a special in-depth look at the 35th anniversary re-release of KISS' Destroyer, aptly titled Destroyer - Resurrected. You can watch the episode, which is embedded below.

Speaking of hard rock, Stryper is celebrating 30 years of rocking with the forthcoming DVD Live In Indonesia at Java Rockin' Land, set for release on Oct. 23, 2012. Filmed in 2010, a media release describes "the definitive Stryper DVD" as featuring a wealth of the Christian band's greatest material.

"This show was an unexpected, but welcomed addition to our tour schedule," said singer-guitarist-songwriter Michael Sweet. "It was added last minute but we scrambled to make it happen, but I'm glad it worked out. It was an opportunity to go to a primarily Muslim country and share our faith."

Here is the track listing for the DVD: Sing Along Song / Murder By Pride / Loud 'N Clear / Rock That Makes Me Roll / Reach Out / Calling On You / More Than A Man / Honestly / Open Your Eyes / All For One / To Hell With The Devil / Soldiers Under Command

You can click here to learn more and purchase the Stryper DVD.