02
Sep
2003
· My pick of the week is this coming Tuesday's release of Estranged, by Bauhaus and Love & Rockets founding member David J. The new solo album is his fifth, and is welcome to my ears like warm sunshine, filled with lazy songs that glide along in his comfortable style of acoustic guitars and haunted, swelling backdrops.
Sparkling surprises abound on the Heyday Records release, from his cover of the classic "Guitar Man," with guests Dave Navarro and Stephen Perkins of Jane's Addiction, to special guests such as pedal steel guitarist Brice Kaphan of American Music Club and pianist Billy Goodman. A limited edition will also be available, featuring a bonus CD entitled Embrace Your Dysfunction. The bonus disc is worth looking for, as it holds more covers, a re-interpretation of his own Love & Rockets track "Life In Laralay," and collaborations with the Black Heart Procession and the Nortec Collective.
· Also making a fantastic return from the 1980s are The Romantics with the new 61/49 album due this Tuesday. Named for the Clarksdale, Mississippi, "crossroads" intersection of Robert Johnson fame, this new album on the Web Entertainment imprint is full of barroom punch and cool blues swagger, perfect to accompany the sounds of pool balls and glass bottles breaking. Now featuring a new drummer, Clem Burke of Blondie, the leather-clad quartet also offers up its take on the Pretty Things' "Midnight to Six Man" and the Kinks' "I Need You."
· Sinead O'Connor's new album finds store shelves this Tuesday, carrying one of the longer album titles in recent memory: She Who Dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High Abide Under the Shadow of the Almighty. The Vanguard Records release is a two-CD set and claims to be her farewell to the record industry. While one disc is devoted to a concert performance from Dublin last year, the second disc features rarities, including collaborations with Skip "Little Axe" McDonald, Massive Attack, and Irish folk artist Damien Dempsey. Interesting covers pop up as well, such as Aretha Franklin's hit "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man," ABBA's "Chiquitita," the B-52's "Ain't It a Shame," and the Boudleaux Bryant classic "Love Hurts."
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Queens of the Stone Age tonight and Jane's Addiction on Friday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien hosts The White Stripes on Tuesday; Last Call with Carson Daly sits down with Ween this evening overnight, Nappy Roots on Thursday overnight, and Fountains of Wayne on Friday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is The White Stripes.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, September 9:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Agnostic Front/Discipline - Working Class Heroes: Live in Belgium (GMM) two-CD set
Al & The Transamericans - Analog (Red Ink) new from Al Schnier of Moe with guests David Lowery of Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven
Joan Baez - Dark Chords on a Big Guitar (KELA/Koch) with guests Natalie Merchant, Ryan Adams, and Steve Earle, and a cover of Joe Henry's "King's Highway"
Black Keys/Six Parts Seven - split single (Suicide Squeeze) tracks recorded live at WMBR-FM
Bright Eyes - Vinyl Box Set (Saddle Creek) seven-LP collection of albums, EPs, and Japan-only bonus tracks from 1995 through 1997
The Bronx - The Bronx (Ferret Music) recorded by Gilby Clarke of Guns 'n Roses
David Byrne - Lead Us Not into Temptation (Thrill Jockey) soundtrack music to the new film Young Adam, based on the 1953 novel by Scottish beat writer Alex Trocchi, with guest members of Mogwai, Future Pilot AKA, and Belle & Sebastian
June Carter Cash - Wildwood Flower (Dualtone) swan song for this beloved matriarch of the Carter Family
The Chemical Brothers - "Golden Path" (Astralwerks) new 12-inch and CD single in collaboration with the Flaming Lips
The Chieftains - Further Down the Old Plank Road (RCA Victor) with guests John Hiatt, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, and Bela Fleck
Chumbawamba - Readymades & Then Some (Koch) featuring a bonus DVD and the new peace anthem "Jacob's Ladder"
J Church/Storm the Tower - split CD (Broken Rekids)
Avishai Cohen - Lyla (Razdaz) new solo work from the Chick Corea bassist, featuring a cover of the Beatles' "Come Together"
Elvis Costello - Get Happy, Trust, and Punch the Clock (Rhino) two-CD expanded deluxe-edition re-issues from 1980, 1981, and 1984 respectively
The Dead Milkmen - Now We Are 20 (Restless) 31-track collection of rarities
The Decemberists - Her Majesty, The Decemberists (Kill Rock Stars)
Enon - Hocus Pocus (Touch & Go)
The Fighting Temptations - original motion picture soundtrack (Sony) with new music from Beyonce Knowles of Destiny's Child with Angie Stone and P. Diddy
Gnappy - Is This a Machine? (Bean Pie Records)
Rodney Hayden - Living the Good Life (Audium) with guest Redd Volkaert
Allan Holdsworth - All Night Wrong (Favored Nations) live from Tokyo last year
House of Low Culture - Edward's Lament (Neurot) new from Aaron Turner of ISIS and Old Man Gloom
The Innocence Mission - Small Planes (Badman)
Iron Maiden - Dance of Death (Sanctuary) the band's 13th studio album
Kaipa - Keyholder (Inside Out) new from keyboardist Hans Lundin
Kittens for Christian - Privilege of Your Company (Serjical Strike/Columbia)
Laibach - Wat (Mute) all new
John Mayer - Heavier Things (Columbia) new and electric
Moe - Warts & All: Volume 3 (Red Ink) recorded live in Chicago
Motorpsycho & Jaga Jazzist Horns - In The Fishtank 10 (Konkurrent/Touch & Go)
My Morning Jacket - It Still Moves (ATO/RCA) CD release
North Mississippi Allstars - Polaris (Tone-Cool) with guest Noel Gallagher of Oasis
OutKast - OutKast Presents Big Boi's Speaker Box & Andre 3000's Love Hater (Arista) two-CD set with guest Norah Jones
Pink Grease - All Over You (Mute) CD EP
Pretty Girls Make Graves - The New Romance (Matador)
Quasi - Hot Shit (Touch & Go)
Ramones - Ramones Around the World (Rhino) DVD issue
Rumblefish - Exit Highland (Roadrunner)
Scarlet - Something to Lust About (Ferret Music) six-track EP
Seal - Seal IV (Warner Bros.)
Semiautomatic - Wolfcentric (5 Rue Christine) featuring guest Ari Up of The Slits on two tracks
Sick of It All - Life on the Ropes (Fat Wreck Chords) with guest vocalist John Joseph of the Cro-Mags
Some Girls - Feel It (Koch) terrific new group featuring Juliana Hatfield and Freda Love of the Blake Babies
Spineshank - Self Destructive Pattern (Roadrunner)
Spiritualized - Amazing Grace (Spaceman/Sanctuary) highly anticipated new album released as a single CD or three vinyl EPs
Los Straitjackets - Supersonic Guitars In 3D (Yep Roc) raw and dangerous, the masked men of mystery return to the swampy surf, with 3D artwork and glasses, and guests DJ Bonebreak and Billy Zoom of X, Don Fleming, and Jon Spencer
Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power (Beggars Banquet) DVD format
Swell - Whenever You're Ready (Beggars Banquet UK) all new album
James Blood Ulmer - No Escape from the Blues: The Electric Lady Sessions (Hyena) featuring covers of Howlin' Wolf's "Who's Been Talkin'" and Johnny Copeland's "Ghetto Child"
various artists - The Sound of San Francisco (Alive/Total Energy) showcase of up-and-coming bands such as The Coachwhips, Black Cat Music, Low Flying Owls, Mom Frere, and more
The Waterboys - Universal Hall (Minty Fresh)
Wellwater Conspiracy - Wellwater Conspiracy (Transdreamer/Megaforce) the fourth album from Pearl Jam's Matt Cameron and Monster Magnet's John McBain, featuring a cover of Thunderclap Newman's "Something in the Air"
ZZ Top - Mescalero (RCA) featuring a cover of Otis Redding's hit "Tramp"
· Also making a fantastic return from the 1980s are The Romantics with the new 61/49 album due this Tuesday. Named for the Clarksdale, Mississippi, "crossroads" intersection of Robert Johnson fame, this new album on the Web Entertainment imprint is full of barroom punch and cool blues swagger, perfect to accompany the sounds of pool balls and glass bottles breaking. Now featuring a new drummer, Clem Burke of Blondie, the leather-clad quartet also offers up its take on the Pretty Things' "Midnight to Six Man" and the Kinks' "I Need You."
· Sinead O'Connor's new album finds store shelves this Tuesday, carrying one of the longer album titles in recent memory: She Who Dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High Abide Under the Shadow of the Almighty. The Vanguard Records release is a two-CD set and claims to be her farewell to the record industry. While one disc is devoted to a concert performance from Dublin last year, the second disc features rarities, including collaborations with Skip "Little Axe" McDonald, Massive Attack, and Irish folk artist Damien Dempsey. Interesting covers pop up as well, such as Aretha Franklin's hit "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man," ABBA's "Chiquitita," the B-52's "Ain't It a Shame," and the Boudleaux Bryant classic "Love Hurts."
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Queens of the Stone Age tonight and Jane's Addiction on Friday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien hosts The White Stripes on Tuesday; Last Call with Carson Daly sits down with Ween this evening overnight, Nappy Roots on Thursday overnight, and Fountains of Wayne on Friday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is The White Stripes.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, September 9:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Agnostic Front/Discipline - Working Class Heroes: Live in Belgium (GMM) two-CD set
Al & The Transamericans - Analog (Red Ink) new from Al Schnier of Moe with guests David Lowery of Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven
Joan Baez - Dark Chords on a Big Guitar (KELA/Koch) with guests Natalie Merchant, Ryan Adams, and Steve Earle, and a cover of Joe Henry's "King's Highway"
Black Keys/Six Parts Seven - split single (Suicide Squeeze) tracks recorded live at WMBR-FM
Bright Eyes - Vinyl Box Set (Saddle Creek) seven-LP collection of albums, EPs, and Japan-only bonus tracks from 1995 through 1997
The Bronx - The Bronx (Ferret Music) recorded by Gilby Clarke of Guns 'n Roses
David Byrne - Lead Us Not into Temptation (Thrill Jockey) soundtrack music to the new film Young Adam, based on the 1953 novel by Scottish beat writer Alex Trocchi, with guest members of Mogwai, Future Pilot AKA, and Belle & Sebastian
June Carter Cash - Wildwood Flower (Dualtone) swan song for this beloved matriarch of the Carter Family
The Chemical Brothers - "Golden Path" (Astralwerks) new 12-inch and CD single in collaboration with the Flaming Lips
The Chieftains - Further Down the Old Plank Road (RCA Victor) with guests John Hiatt, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, and Bela Fleck
Chumbawamba - Readymades & Then Some (Koch) featuring a bonus DVD and the new peace anthem "Jacob's Ladder"
J Church/Storm the Tower - split CD (Broken Rekids)
Avishai Cohen - Lyla (Razdaz) new solo work from the Chick Corea bassist, featuring a cover of the Beatles' "Come Together"
Elvis Costello - Get Happy, Trust, and Punch the Clock (Rhino) two-CD expanded deluxe-edition re-issues from 1980, 1981, and 1984 respectively
The Dead Milkmen - Now We Are 20 (Restless) 31-track collection of rarities
The Decemberists - Her Majesty, The Decemberists (Kill Rock Stars)
Enon - Hocus Pocus (Touch & Go)
The Fighting Temptations - original motion picture soundtrack (Sony) with new music from Beyonce Knowles of Destiny's Child with Angie Stone and P. Diddy
Gnappy - Is This a Machine? (Bean Pie Records)
Rodney Hayden - Living the Good Life (Audium) with guest Redd Volkaert
Allan Holdsworth - All Night Wrong (Favored Nations) live from Tokyo last year
House of Low Culture - Edward's Lament (Neurot) new from Aaron Turner of ISIS and Old Man Gloom
The Innocence Mission - Small Planes (Badman)
Iron Maiden - Dance of Death (Sanctuary) the band's 13th studio album
Kaipa - Keyholder (Inside Out) new from keyboardist Hans Lundin
Kittens for Christian - Privilege of Your Company (Serjical Strike/Columbia)
Laibach - Wat (Mute) all new
John Mayer - Heavier Things (Columbia) new and electric
Moe - Warts & All: Volume 3 (Red Ink) recorded live in Chicago
Motorpsycho & Jaga Jazzist Horns - In The Fishtank 10 (Konkurrent/Touch & Go)
My Morning Jacket - It Still Moves (ATO/RCA) CD release
North Mississippi Allstars - Polaris (Tone-Cool) with guest Noel Gallagher of Oasis
OutKast - OutKast Presents Big Boi's Speaker Box & Andre 3000's Love Hater (Arista) two-CD set with guest Norah Jones
Pink Grease - All Over You (Mute) CD EP
Pretty Girls Make Graves - The New Romance (Matador)
Quasi - Hot Shit (Touch & Go)
Ramones - Ramones Around the World (Rhino) DVD issue
Rumblefish - Exit Highland (Roadrunner)
Scarlet - Something to Lust About (Ferret Music) six-track EP
Seal - Seal IV (Warner Bros.)
Semiautomatic - Wolfcentric (5 Rue Christine) featuring guest Ari Up of The Slits on two tracks
Sick of It All - Life on the Ropes (Fat Wreck Chords) with guest vocalist John Joseph of the Cro-Mags
Some Girls - Feel It (Koch) terrific new group featuring Juliana Hatfield and Freda Love of the Blake Babies
Spineshank - Self Destructive Pattern (Roadrunner)
Spiritualized - Amazing Grace (Spaceman/Sanctuary) highly anticipated new album released as a single CD or three vinyl EPs
Los Straitjackets - Supersonic Guitars In 3D (Yep Roc) raw and dangerous, the masked men of mystery return to the swampy surf, with 3D artwork and glasses, and guests DJ Bonebreak and Billy Zoom of X, Don Fleming, and Jon Spencer
Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power (Beggars Banquet) DVD format
Swell - Whenever You're Ready (Beggars Banquet UK) all new album
James Blood Ulmer - No Escape from the Blues: The Electric Lady Sessions (Hyena) featuring covers of Howlin' Wolf's "Who's Been Talkin'" and Johnny Copeland's "Ghetto Child"
various artists - The Sound of San Francisco (Alive/Total Energy) showcase of up-and-coming bands such as The Coachwhips, Black Cat Music, Low Flying Owls, Mom Frere, and more
The Waterboys - Universal Hall (Minty Fresh)
Wellwater Conspiracy - Wellwater Conspiracy (Transdreamer/Megaforce) the fourth album from Pearl Jam's Matt Cameron and Monster Magnet's John McBain, featuring a cover of Thunderclap Newman's "Something in the Air"
ZZ Top - Mescalero (RCA) featuring a cover of Otis Redding's hit "Tramp"
