Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. Lots of Fourth of July musical statements were made this week, from a Prince rarity coming out of the vaults to Ben Folds' surprisingly politically charged, surprise live album. Plus, the last two albums by a terrific British rock band and a new song from an American classic rock act reflecting on its 30 years together (even the last few tough ones).

Prince and The Revolution, "America" (NPG/Legacy) (Apple / Amazon)

However close we might be to an Around the World in a Day reissue, the Prince estate has loosed a killer rarity from the vaults. "America," the third (fourth outside the U.S.) and final single from the Purple Rain follow-up, was a political missive against a funky workout of a track. When the 12" single was released, it featured an extended version that stretched to nearly 22 minutes, fading out just before the actual tape running at the session ran out. It's never been available on CD or digitally until now - an appropriate plea for a country that maybe has some considerable challenges ahead of it! (A Dolby Atmos mix by engineer Chris James has also been made available. The original video, recorded live at a set in Paris shortly before Prince broke up The Revolution, can be seen above.)

Ben Folds, Live with the National Symphony Orchestra (John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts) (Apple / Amazon)

The piano-pounding Folds recently spent several years as the artistic advisor of the National Symphony Orchestra, until resigning this past February in protest of what he felt was an increasingly politicized and conservative approach over at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts under the current presidential administration. As his parting gift to the orchestra, he's prepped a live album with them, conductor Steven Reineke and guests Tall Heights and Regina Spektor - all drawn from his extensive solo catalogue. He also spoke to The Washington Post about his decision and the new album.

XTC, Apple Venus Volume 1 / Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2) (Ape House)

Apple Venus: Apple (TBD) / Amazon
Wasp Star: Apple (TBD) / Amazon

Another pair of streaming debuts today: the final albums by U.K. alt-pop legends XTC. Conceived as a double album - 1999's Apple Venus featuring mostly acoustic and orchestral-backed songs, and 2000's Wasp Star leaning more toward rock - it featured the group as functionally a duo of Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding, with guitarist Dave Gregory having left during the Apple Venus sessions.

Foo Fighters, "Today's Song" (Roswell/RCA) (Apple / Amazon)

It's been a tough couple of years for the Foo Fighters. Beloved drummer Taylor Hawkins died in 2022; his replacement, session legend Josh Freese, was unexpectedly let go earlier this year; and frontman Dave Grohl's nice-guy reputation suffered a blow when he revealed that he'd fathered a child outside of his marriage. Grohl seems aware of the weight as the Foos release their latest single, "Today's Song," featuring himself on drums. The track is meant to herald the band's 30th anniversary this year, and also serves as a tribute to all the musicians who've played in the group before. (The Foos also released a photo collage set to a cover of Minor Threat's "I Don't Want to Hear It," which was tracked in 1995 and features vocals recorded this year.)

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, The Jukes / Love is a Sacrifice / Live - Reach Up and Touch the Sky (Mercury)

Jukes: Apple / Amazon
Sacrifice: Apple / Amazon
Live: Apple (TBD) / Amazon (TBD)

What's a summer without the shore? Making their way to all digital music services for the first time (in collaboration with the fine folks at SuperVisible Multi Media) are three LPs cut for Mercury by New Jersey's own Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes after their late '70s tenure on Epic Records. Beyond some of the songwriting credits on the double album Live - Reach Up and Touch the Sky, neither Bruce Springsteen nor original Jukes producer Steven Van Zandt are present this time around. (Muscle Shoals studio co-founder Barry Beckett produced 1979's The Jukes, while 1980's Love's a Sacrifice was produced by Johnny and Jukes guitarist Billy Rush.) Sacrifice, however, does feature several tracks with a trio of backing vocalists that included future E Street Band members Patti Scialfa (now, of course, married to Springsteen) and Soozie Tyrell (whose violin has been heard on all of Bruce's new albums since 1992's Lucky Town)​.