TURN-ONS AND TURN-OFFS IN CURRENT HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES : Excellent Good Fair Poor : COMPACT DISCS

“Essence & Charm.” Digital Sex. Sordide Sentimental. AAD. Talk about cultures colliding! Here’s an Omaha band (Digital Sex) steeped in the moody rock of post-punk England (Cure, Joy Division et al.) arriving on CD from a one-man French operation known for its support of artistic subversives (Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV). The music (DS’ previously released LP and side projects plus seven new tracks) isn’t Joy Division, but it has a sweet melancholy and bracing dynamics (and a disconcerting volume increase when the new songs arrive). An illustrated booklet contains a wonderfully fractured translation of Jean-Pierre Turmel’s philosophical essay, and on top of that it’s a numbered edition of 5,000. Act now! Information: (402) 451-5441.