Next week, The Cure will add another teaser for its forthcoming album, following the series of monthly singles that debuted in May with an EP that benefits the International Red Cross. Containing four songs from the upcoming album, each track on Hypnagogic States is a tweaked remix rather than the original. Rounded out by a mega-mix by tour mates 65 Days of Static, other knob-twisters on the Geffen Records CD include Jared Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars, Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance, and Pete Wentz and Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy.
Coming up next month, Manimal Vinyl Records is releasing a new covers project, Perfect as Cats: A Tribute to The Cure. The two-CD set also benefits a charity, Invisible Children, and is highlighted by The Dandy Warhols, Kaki King, Wolkfin, Xu Xu Fang, Jesu, and Bat For Lashes.
Trying to beat the album's inevitable leak over the web, Metallica is releasing its new album, Death Magnetic, on Friday this week, bypassing the traditional Tuesday street date. Produced by Rick Rubin, vinyl aficionados get two ways to crank up the analog rush: in a standard two-LP set or a deluxe edition listing at $199.98, with the album broken down into five 180-gram black slabs cut at 45 RPM for superior sound quality, housed in a box with the CD and a lithograph print.
Television Alert
The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes Paul Weller of The Jam this evening; The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts Al Green tonight, Alejandro Escovedo on Thursday, and Nelly on Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien presents 50 Cent this evening and The Fab Faux on Friday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson boasts Alice Cooper tonight, Lady Antebellum on Monday, and Tally Hall on Tuesday overnight; Jimmy Kimmel Live has Buckcherry on Thursday and Glen Campbell on Monday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Lil Wayne.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, September 16
Kevin Ayers - What More Can I Say ... (Reel Recordings) demos and outtakes collection from the Soft Machine co-founder, with guests Mike Oldfield and Robert Wyatt
Blessid Union of Souls - Close to the Edge (Torque Records) all new
The Break & Repair Method - Milk the Bee (Bluhammock) uplifting solo debut from the Matchbox Twenty co-founder, with guests Tracy Bonham on violin, Roger Manning of Jellyfish on Moog and Clavinet, and background vocals from Moon Zappa and Veruca Salt's Nina Gordon
Buckcherry - Black Butterfly (Eleven Seven /Atlantic) on tour this month with Avenged Sevenfold
Lindsey Buckingham - Gift of Screws (Reprise) second solo album from the guitarist, backed by Fleetwood Mac bandmates Mick Fleetwood and John McVie
George Clinton - George Clinton & Some Gangsters of Love (Shanachie) inspired by old-school doo wop and packed with guests Sly Stone, RZA, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Shavo Odadjian of System of a Down; a handful of cool covers include Carlos Santana on the Impressions' "Gypsy Woman" and El DeBarge on Marvin Gaye's "Ain't That Peculiar"
Kimya Dawson - Alphabutt (K Records) hot off the Juno soundtrack, this children's album from half of the Moldy Peaches features "Wiggle My Tooth" and "Little Monster Babies"
Jackson United - Harmony & Dissidence (Acetate) featuring guitarist Chris Shiflett of Me First & the Gimme Gimmes and fellow members of the Foo Fighters, these vintage punk stalwarts are on tour with The Loved Ones and Flogging Molly next month
Javon Jackson - Once Upon a Melody (Palmetto) featuring his tenor-sax touch on Wayne Shorter's "One by One" and Sonny Rollins' "Paradox"
James - Hey Ma (Decca) all new after seven silent years; this is the domestic release of this UK smash reunion
Jem - Down to Earth (ATO) head-spinning sophomore CD from the Welsh artist, singing in Japanese on "Aciiid," working with Cut Chemist on "I Want You to," and collaborating with South African activist Vusi Mahlasela on "You Will Make It"
Laika & the Cosmonauts - Cosmopolis (Yep Roc) 27-track swan-song compilation from these Finnish sci-fi psycho-surfers
Annie Lennox - The Annie Lennox Collection (Arista) CD and DVD set featuring two new songs
Mad Buffalo - Wilderness (Mad Buffalo Records) blue-collar honest and steel-guitar stirring, this passionate group is helmed by Randy Riviere with guest guitarist and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer James Burton, singing the praises of "Ohio" and "Old Kentucky"
Nelly - Brass Knuckles (Universal) with guests Akon, LL Cool J, Fergie, Lil Wayne, and Snoop Dogg
Conor Oberst - "Souled Out!" (Wichita) seven-inch single with an etched B side
Nick Pagliari - Please & Thank You (Palogreeno Records) new from the Memphis son with Nashville roots, painting a picture of the Civil War with the lyrics of "The Union Infantry" and perhaps singing autobiographically in "Play That Rock N' Roll Loud"
Amanda Palmer - Who Killed Amanda Palmer (Roadrunner) solo debut from one half of the Dresden Dolls, featuring liner notes by Neil Gaiman and a cover of "What's the Use of Wondering'" from the musical Carousel
Plan 9 - Manmade Monster (Nickel & Dime Records) born of a Misfits tribute band, this San Francisco quartet is fronted by Scary Only of The Hellbillys
Portugal. The Man - Censored Colors (Approaching AIRballoons/Equal Vision) brilliantly haunting third album from the Alaska foursome, softy tripping in harmonic waves of Supertramp and Queen as it builds from an awakening egg to a crushing crescendo
Darius Rucker - Learn to Live (Capitol) new country album from the Hootie & the Blowfish vocalist
Shock of Pleasure - It's About Time (Executive Music Group) founded by Robert Romano of Stranger Than Fiction and captivating vocalist Kelly Christian, this sexy electronica is Sade meets Portishead conducted by Chaz Jankel and features a shimmering cover of the Classic IV's "Spooky" and an icy grind through The Carpenters' "Superstar" that would make a killer James Bond opener
Meaghan Smith - The Cricket's Quartet (Sire) four-song CD EP/DVD; on tour with Ron Sexsmith through next month
Valerie Smith & Becky Buller - Here's a Little Song (Bell Buckle) beautiful harmonies and bluegrass sunrise sweetness, recalling rural Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe in the gorgeous "Heart of the House"
Al Stewart - Sparks of Ancient Light (Appleseed) produced by Paul McCartney guitarist Laurence Juber; the new album references Elvis Presley, the Shah of Iran, and Lord Salisbury
Tanya Tagaq - Auk-Blood (Ipecac Recordings) self-taught throat singer recently performing with Bjork and Kronos Quartet
Tindersticks - The Hungry Saw (Constellation) a heartbreaking, slow-dance seduction, this is the band's first new music in five years and since the departure of Dickon Hinchcliffe
Unwritten Law - Live & Lawless (Suburban Noize) CD and DVD filmed at the Key Club on the Sunset Strip, featuring five acoustic songs on the DVD
Redd Volkaert - Reddhead (Telehog Records) new from the tone master of the Fender Telecaster and guitarist of Merle Haggard's backing band, peppered with smokin' hot covers of The Box Tops hit "The Letter" and the Waylon Jennings hit "Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line"
War Tapes - War Tapes (Sarathan) setting the world on fire with the dark, theatrical wail of Joy Division and New Order
various artists - The Imus Ranch Record (New West) benefiting Don Imus' working cattle ranch that offers adventure and hope to children with cancer, each of the CD's 13 exclusive tracks was selected by Imus and paired with a superstar of his asking, including John Hiatt's take on The Bottle Rockets' "Welfare Music," Willie Nelson covering Dinah Washington's "What a Difference a Day Makes," Big & Rich gettin' down with The Beastie Boys' "You've Got to Fight for Your Right to Party," and Patty Loveless trying on Stevie Nicks' "Silver Springs"
