For those still seething about November’s elections (and who isn’t), Portland’s No Budget Records present Sweeping the Nation, a local punk compilation dedicated to George W. Bush. Featuring the Company Anthem, the Hi-Fivin’ White Guys, the Leftovers, the Bonnie Situation (who are No Budget, apparently), Haven’t Talked Since, and Heritage, the 11-song disc clocks in under 30 minutes — that’s punk for ya. But, with $1.97 for an asking price, it’s a steal. The sound quality is pretty solid, if a bit uneven, and the songs are genuinely taken from some of the best young bands in town. Four of the tunes can’t be found anywhere else, and if you don’t mind some lo-fi packaging you should be very pleased with the purchase.

In case you missed the award for Best Pop Instrumental Album Sunday night at the Grammys, yes, Ed Gerhard and the rest of the artists on Henry Mancini: Pink Guitar won. See the big winner February 19 at Derry’s First Parish Church. Congratulations Ed!

Heads up that the deadline for the Reindeer RockOff is February 25. That means you, high-school bands. Also, for the first time, there will be a solo-artists-only competition running in parallel to the traditional RockOff. RO4UNO, as it will be known, will crown the "best young single artist in the state on Maine" and carries a prize of $500 as opposed to the RockOff’s $1000. Good thing Sammie Francis won the RockOff when she did. This year, she’d be $500 lighter with a victory.