TURN-ONS AND TURN-OFFS IN CURENT HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES : COMPACT DISCS

“Fire of Love.” The Gun Club. New Rose. AAD. What happens when you put a crude punk-blues recording in the sound-enhancing, life-extending CD format? You get a crude punk-blues recording that will never die. The CD sound on this French import is a little boomier than the record and things like the extreme volume contrasts on “Preaching the Blues” come through well, but the main point in having the local legend’s first--and near-best--LP in CD is the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the incantatory power of Jeffrey Lee Pierce’s moans and shouts will never be marred by pops and hisses.