Album of the Day

For more than a decade, Natalie Merchant was the focal point of 10,000 Maniacs, fronting the band during its rise through the alternative rock ranks in the 1980s. At the peak of the band's success, the singer left for a solo career neatly summarized on RETROSPECTIVE 1990-2005. It gathers 13 highlights from Merchant's four Elektra albums (including hits like “Wonder,” “Kind & Generous” and the Top 10 ”Carnival”); a limited edition Deluxe Version of the collection adds a disc of 15 additional bonus tracks including outtakes, B-sides and duets with the likes of Billy Bragg, The Chieftains and R.E.M. Natalie Merchant was born on this day in 1963, and we'll celebrate the birthday with the superb RETROSPECTIVE 1990-2005.