Here we are in the throngs of glorious August days, and yet the imminent autumn season, if you listen closely, gently whispers to us. There are hints of it in the crisp evenings, the wilting flowers, the rustle of people young and old returning to school, the release of "Halloween: H20." Much like the latter, Rhino Records has decided to capitalize on the approaching spook holiday, regardless of the fact that pumpkin patches are generally empty and the shores still flow with suntanned activity.

As told by the liner notes, Rhino's New Wave series has been rather successful, yet multiple editions have nearly exhausted the thematic possibilities necessary for its continuation. Given serious thought, however, a New Wave Halloween compilation is a sound idea; it's not only timely, but it formally recognizes the bizarre sounds and styles that were a customary part of the new wave scene.

Perhaps nothing in popular culture carries Halloween's costuming spirit through the year better than "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," and it's with that spirit in mind that the collection kicks off with "The Time Warp." Unfortunately, to me, this song speaks more to science fiction than the macabre, which makes its inclusion-- especially as the opening track-- a bit suspect. Eerie vibes abound with the obvious addition, Ministry's "Everyday Is Halloween," but for the wrong reasons; it makes my skin crawl to think that Ministry actually used to present themselves this way. Songs by The B-52's and Oingo Boingo keep the listener from becoming too nostalgic about new wave music, but then the Ramones offer up a fitting slab of derangement with "Pet Sematary."

New wave recreations of classic creepy theme music from hits like "Halloween" and "The Munsters" are novel enough, but not worthy of repeated listening. A six- song block of tracks creatively titled "Halloween" begins with atmospheric droopings from Siouxsie and The Banshees, the Dream Syndicate, and Sonic Youth (Kim Gordon will get you strapping males hot and bothered with this one), then furiously explodes with punk offerings from Dead Kennedys, The Misfits (a brilliant work that will have you chanting in no time), and Mudhoney. "Creature With The Atom Brain" completes this volume with a demented air appropriate for its creator, Roky Erickson, who went clinically insane in his own life.

New Wave Halloween has an ephemeral appeal, one that is likely to be lost by the time Saman recalls his evil spirits. Like candy corn, you might not be crazy about it, but it's occasionally tasty and a hell of an extra for your costume party.

-Kevin Ruggeri