In the world of outsider audio and what's dubbed "incredibly strange music," one lone figure stands tall above the rest. Joe Meek turned the traditional studio-recording environment of the 1960s upside down in England with flair, obsession and wackiness, crossing elements of Ed Wood with Phil Spector. As a clever boy who dissected radios and other early electronics, Meek turned his creative energy and obsession into a career as an independent producer free of the stodgy, copycat, high-fidelity desires of in-house record company studios. He was a rebel, a genius on a shoestring budget and an unpredictable personality known for devising odd sound effects from toilet tanks, buckets and other improvised delights. American audiences might only know his touch from his chart topping hit "Telstar" by The Tornados, but an entire world awaits the curious. An avalanche of sweet Meek rarities have been released by the Castle/Sanctuary imprint, led by the two-CD anthology Joe Meek's Freakbeat: 30 Freakbeat, Mod and R&B Nuggets. Back before Bauhaus, Love & Rockets and The Stranglers turned cavernous cubic meters of shadowy, humid air in London's underground clubs into sexual, quivering mass grinds, Meek had the touch and the ear for "the little death" in a great song, wringing out that electrified moment when it all gets freaky, frenzied and frothing. And sexy? Check out Paul & Ritchie & the Cryin' Shames from 1966, shaking it down like Arthur Alexander fronting Blue Cheer in "Come On Back" or the creepy cool of The Syndicats' "Crawdaddy Simone" from 1965, featuring blistering young guitarist Ray Fenwick before he became a part of The Spencer Davis Group. Looking to spiff up your next catwalk or wigged-out shindig, 60 more crazed creations come under the title of Vampires, Cowboys, Spacemen & Spooks: The Very Best of Joe Meek's Instrumentals, featuring a young Ritchie Blackmore in The Outlaws, The Moontrekkers, Peter Jay & the Jaywalkers and more. Not enough Meek for your inner freak? Look for a special box set of a dozen original vinyl EPs re-crafted as individual CDs complete with original cover art, back cover liner notes and discs that mock their original labels. Highlights include Mike Berry's Tribute to Buddy Holly, Houston Well's Canadian Country and the two-part, groundbreaking spaced-out sounds of I Hear a New World by The Blue Men. ... On April 24, the Bloomington, Ind., indie record label that could, Secret Canadian Records, celebrates 11 years and over 100 releases with a nifty pat-yourself-on-the-back project titled SC100. Inspired by the beloved Elektra Records' 1990 self-salute Rubaiyat, where modern Elektra artists (like The Cure) reinterpreted classic Elektra material (like The Doors), the Secret Canadian disc collects 18 artists from their stable, including Swearing At Motorists, Nikki Sudden, Danielson and Damien Jurado tributing each other.

Television Alert
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno unleashes Sick Puppies Thursday and Good Charlotte Monday. The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Aqualung Friday and Andrew Bird Tuesday. Late Night with Conan O'Brien boasts Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Wednesday, Kaiser Chiefs Thursday and Cold War Kids Tuesday. The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson buddies up with Redman Friday. Last Call with Last Call with Carson Daly has Bloc Party Friday. And Jimmy Kimmel Live presents Pink Tuesday.

New Releases Coming Tuesday
Army of Me ­ Citizen (Doghouse) debut from the Washington, D.C. trio with a hint of U2; Bright Eyes ­ Cassadaga (Saddle Creek) with guests Gillian Welch, David Rawlings and Janet Weiss; Brother Ali ­ The Undisputed Truth (Rhymesayers) four-star swagger and reflection from the slamming snowflake MC; Cliff Eberhardt ­ The High Above and the Down Below (Red House) gorgeous new album by the wickedly talented singer/songwriter backed by a Jazz combo; The Gena Rowlands Band ­ Flesh and Spirits (Lujo) earnest melancholy waltzes featuring former Dismemberment Plan bassist Erik Axelson and guitarist Jason Caddell; Golden Bear ­ To the Farthest Star (C-Side Records) bedroom studio sessions from the Austin favorite, with guest vocalist Pink Nasty and the Royal Forest Horns; Goldrush ­ The Heart Is the Place (Better Looking) proud, glorious freak flags are flying high in this buzz-charged, heart-aching Americana; Grinderman ­ Grinderman (Mute) all new from Nick Cake and members of his Bad Seeds; Guster ­ Satellite (Reprise) "carbon neutral" eight-song CD EP featuring a remix by The Astronauts and covers of The Beatles' "Two of Us" and the Bonnie Tyler hit, "Total Eclipse of the Heart"; Hellyeah ­ Hellyeah (Epic) new from Vinnie Paul of Pantera and Damageplan; Junior Boys ­ The Dead Horse (Domino) featuring remixes by Hot Chip, Carl Craig and Tensnake; Madison Park ­ One Day (Basic Lux) eight-track CD single with remixes from Peter Haze, Lenny B and GXR; Manowar ­ Gods of War (Magic Circle) all new, also available in a special metal and leather slipcase with a bonus DVD; The Moog ­ Sold For Tomorrow (MuSick); Nathan ­ Key Principles (Nettwerk); New Atlantic ­ The Streets, the Sounds, and the Love (Eyeball) hot off tour with Cartel and Cobra Starship; Christopher O'Riley ­ Second Grace: The Music of Nick Drake (World Village) instrumental piano arrangements; Perfect Stranger - original motion picture soundtrack (Lakeshore) featuring music from Beck, Cat Power and Otis Redding; Lou Rhodes ­ Beloved One (Cooking Vinyl) domestic release of this solo debut from the Lamb co-founder, recognized last year in the Mercury Prize shortlist; The Rosebuds ­ Night of the Furies (Merge) third album of Gothic Pop from the Raleigh, NC, duo, touring this spring and summer as a five-piece; The Terrible Twos ­ If You Ever See an Owl (Poquito/Vagrant) new from Matthew Pryor of The New Amsterdams; Tiesto ­ Elements of Life (Ultra) new from the Dutch DJ, with guest vocalists Charlotte Martin, Julie Thompson and BBMak's Christian Burns; The Waterboys ­ Book of Lightning (Universal) all new and import-only.