Ken Tucker

Cleveland-based rock band Pere Ubu captured the raucous sound of punk years before the rise of the Sex Pistols. Rock critic Ken Tucker says singer and songwriter David Thomas's warbling vocals capture emotions not often featured in the genre: distraction, confusion and pure bliss. Pere Ubu's newest album is called The Tenement Years.

Ken Tucker says Ruggles of Red Gap, about an English butler working for an American oil baron, is still funny 50 years after its theatrical release. Watching the film on home video ensures you won't miss a single joke.

Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson returns with his first solo album. Ken Tucker says Wilson has held onto the innocence associated with his old bands' early album. That said, it's impossible to separate the music from the bizarre media narrative of Wilson's personal life.