BEST LOCAL MUSIC COVERAGE IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

The Weekly Volcano never sleeps. It's true ... or very close to true. We average only a few hours of shut-eye a night, be it because it's hard to sleep when you're so busy sobbin(Michael Swan), or simply because there's just so much to do.

Included in all this doing? As always, another shining installment of the Weekly Volcano music section.

We wouldn't lie. You better believe we managed to pump out another stellar Weekly Volcano music section - your every Thursday chance at the best in local music coverage.

Here's a look at the sonic goodness coming at you in print and online in this week's Volcano ...

FEATURE: BEN UNION

For the past few years-and working off an unusually strong starting point-Ben Union has been working to hone his sound to a fine point. After emerging on the scene with a potent live show and an even more precise debut LP, The Light, Union and his band - drummer Jared Mira, bassist Seth Mira, guitarist Talon Carpenter and percussionist "Shazam" -- have been working hard to take that certain special sound and reduce it to its most effective essence. ... -- Rev. Adam McKinney

HIP-HOP: BLAK MIC & MORE

Remember a few months ago when I said Blak Mic was too good not to release an album for our listening enjoyment? Well, he was either listening or my wishes were granted purely by coincidence, because in December Blak Mic released a free 13-track album at blakmic.bandcamp.com. Blak Mic has also released 14 singles on his Bandcamp page (also for free) during the past two months. That's another album's worth of material. Noo and Mic Blaque supply notable guest verses on Blak Mic's new material. Listening to the new record, Blak Mic's beats have an extra ounce of street and grit mixed in with the smooth sounds that make his jazzy, funky treats - making his work stick out a bit more than the work of the rest of the producers around here. ... -- Josh Rizeberg

WE RECOMMEND: TREES WITHOUT LEAVES

The lead vocals of Stewie Crockett are howlingly absurd, hugely animated odes to those manic preachers that used to be spotted in stale, smoky nightclubs and barrooms lined with peanut shells. It's all a delirious mixture that lands somewhere in the area of doting homage and full-throated hysteria. - Rev. AM

PLUS: BETTER LIVING THROUGH MUSIC - Glass Elevator, Hey Girl, Jeremy Jay

PLUS: CONCERT ALERT

PLUS: LIVE LOCAL MUSIC LISTINGS

PLUS: CRAZY NONSENSE LIKE THIS