For those of you who still purchase albums, here are three worth your attention -- all artists whom we've covered in the past (and, by the sound of things, we'll continue writing about). Gay Witch Abortion, "Maverick" The Cities' greatest rock duo -- and one of its mightiest bands, period -- lives up to its thundering reputation with this long-overdue full-length debut on Learning Curve Records. Guitarist/singer Jesse Bottomley and drummer Shawn Walker come off like a stoner-rock answer to tennis' Serena and Venus Williams, smashing their weapons toward each other in competition, but ultimately cheering each other on.

The pair show a decent range within the sonic flurry, too, ranging from the hazy Blue Cheer-style fuzz of "Stain on the Floor" to mighty metallic instrumentals such as "Church Buffet" to a song that's as prog-rock as its title suggests, "Scythian Sculls." The only negative thing that can be said is the disc was too long in coming, and thus some of it sounds dated to those of us who've seen G.W.A.'s many, many gigs. But that only builds the excitement for the sophomore disc.

G.W.A. performs tonight at 7th Street Entry with Skoal Kodiak (9:30 p.m., $6).

Chastity Brown, "Sankofa" While she has been breaking in a terrific new band of late, Brown's second album is still all about her.

The biracial Tennessee transplant, 27, can muster a lot of power with just a voice and guitar, as in the Ani DiFranco-like heart-pounder "Woman Gotta Move," typical of her mellow sound but intense lyrics ("I've been suffering for my race, suffering for my skin/ Is it not enough to suffer the woman that I am?"). But the best tracks are actually the lightest and loveliest, especially the wish-you-were-here gem "Gracy" and the "Visions of Johanna"-like epic "Pulling Myself Together." Ultimately, "Sankofa" is a bit too much -- too many seven-minute songs that sound too alike in tempo and mood. A good band really could make all the difference.

Brown's CD party is tonight at the 331 Club with Jelloslave (10 p.m., free).

Brother Ali, "The Truth Is Here" EP Here's one truth that we hope Brother Ali never finds out: EPs usually just feature a handful of tracks, most of which are throwaway outtakes or live tracks. As he did on his 2004 "Champion" EP, the Rhymesayers rapper offers a generous amount of new and excellent material on his latest between-albums collection. The offerings include seven new tracks and two grade-A B-sides. Oh, and it comes with a DVD featuring his tour-ending First Ave concert, plus videos and interviews.

Highlights on the (so-called) EP include the gritty soul-searcher "Philistine David," which was used in the Jonathan Demme-directed documentary "Jimmy Carter Man From Plains." Both the coming-home opener "Real as Can Be" and the final track "Begin Here" thrive off a slow, vintage soul groove that sounds like Ali and producer Ant wanted to capture the breath-catching experience of coming off a year of touring. The funk picks up in between with the dizzying "Palm the Joker" and the cocky freestyle romp "The Believers." The latter track stands up as Ali's and Slug's best performance together to date.

Brother Ali has an in-store gig Tuesday at Fifth Element, 2411 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. (6 p.m., free).

Crystals' method Godspeed to psychedelic quintet the Flavor Crystals, who are going out on a monthlong tour with the ever-erratic but often electrifying Brian Jonestown Massacre, an outing that the BJM has dubbed the Committee to Keep Music Evil Tour. The local date is March 26 at the Fine Line. The Crystals came to the BJM's attention when their CD was played by the sound man between bands at the BJM's last show at the Woman's Club Theatre a few years back. "I have been in contact with their guitarist, Ricky Maymi, via Myspace ever since," said the Crystals' Josh Richardson, who admitted the tour "might be pretty nuts." His band will warm up Thursday at the Entry, opening for Grant Hart.

Random mix The Gleam plays its first show in a year on Saturday, and the location seems to be fitting for the scrappy Chisago County rockers: It's part of the Mad Ripple Hootenanny's roaming lineup at the North St. Paul VFW, 2483 E. 7th Av. (8 p.m., $8). The trio got held up trying to find a new drummer, but the guys already have a new album in the works. ...

The Big Wu will revive their Family Reunion festival this year, but it won't be over Memorial Day. It's happening July 10 through 12 at Harmony Park in southern Minnesota. Other bands on the lineup include God Johnson (whose leader, Jason Fladager, will also play in the Wu again), Pert Near Sandstone, Vince Herman's Great American Taxi, the Feelin', Hyentyte and more. Tickets are already on sale at TheBigWu.com. ...

Ari Herstand's show Sunday night at St. Olaf College's Lion's Pause will be recorded for an upcoming live CD/DVD intended to show off his knack for looping onstage, i.e. playing guitar, keyboards and beatboxing at once (5:30 p.m., all ages, $7, free to students). ...

If you haven't heard, Prince plans to drop his three new CDs -- the relatively straight-ahead "Lotus Flow3r," the jam-oriented "Mplsound" and another with his latest young female protegé, Minnesota native Bria Valente -- as one tidy bundle sold exclusively at Target stores for $11.98 starting March 29. That's all so very Minnesotan of him.

chrisr@startribune.com • 612-673-4658

Music blog: startribune.com/poplife