Philadelphia-based label Dancing Ferret Discs pays tribute to Neil Gaiman with “Where’s Neil When You Need Him?,” a collection of songs inspired by the writer’s stories. Longtime Gaiman friend Tori Amos (who performs demo-style track “Sister Named Desire”) is the star among the underground contributors. Ethereal pop (Lunascape’s chilled-out “Raven Star,” the lilting beauty of Hungry Lucy’s “We Won’t Go”) and world music (Azam Ali’s sensual “The Cold Black Key”) shine among a quirky mix of styles that includes goth and industrial. Given the source material, expect wild flights of sonic fancy: See Schandmaul’s medieval rocker “Magda Treadgolds Marchen.” Future Bible Heroes’ “Mr. Punch” captures a carnival’s overblown excitement, although the big-top circus number is better-suited for children’s records. — Christa L. Titus
