08
Jun
2004
· Anyone who's thrilled to Cheap Trick's juggernaut power pop will delight this coming Tuesday, as the band releases a terrific DVD documenting last year's tour of Japan. Instead of going for the straight live-concert approach, From Tokyo to You is just as playfully nutty as the band, blending concert performances with hilarious documentary-style interviews with all four members.
Yes, you will hear Bun E. Carlos speak! From the origins of their songs to life on the road ("You can only go as fast as the slowest guy"), half the fun is realizing when the inside story takes a slow left turn and becomes elaborate leg-pulling. Oh, you mean you didn't know about Rick Nielsen's days touring with Minnie Pearl, or Robin Zander's childhood vocals on The Beatles' White Album? What a hoot! Other backstage highlights include Nielsen's tour of his guitars (he's whittled his collection down to 277), and the band's emotional return to the Budokan Hall arena 25 years later. Bonus features on the disc are plentiful, including the Summersonic Experience short film that traces a day in the working life of the band. From unpacking their families from the tour bus to meeting fans to standing over the pimply awe of their opening act, the tension steadily builds to show time, as we observe these semi-regular guys doing what many of us wish we could do. Another feature documents the group's warm-up and appearance on the American Bowl halftime show in the massive Tokyo Dome, surrounded by hundreds of beautiful female dancers perfecting their drill-team maneuvers. Look for this video treat on the band's own label, Cheap Trick Unlimited, and Big 3 Records.
· A second volume collecting rare tracks recorded in the mystical Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver is released next week. Featuring Tori Amos, R.E.M., Coldplay, U2, Ben Harper, Gov't Mule, and more, Carved in Stone Vol. 2 will benefit the Preserve the Rocks fund.
· After teasing us with two seasons of deliciously creepy-cool backdrop music, a soundtrack to FX television's Nip/Tuck hits store shelves next week. On the Nettwerk imprint, the set features the South Beach glide of The Engine Room, Erin McKeown, Jazzupstarts, and Kinky. Highlights include Wax Poetic's "Angels," featuring Norah Jones, and Love & Rockets' Daniel Ash taking a cover twist on the classic "Fever."
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Sonic Youth tonight, 311 on Friday, Hoobastank on Monday, and N.E.R.D. on Tuesday; The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Kid Rock tonight, Patti Scialfa on Monday, and Los Lobos on Tuesday; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn reveals Bright Eyes this evening overnight, Barry Manilow on Thursday overnight, Guy Pearce on Friday overnight, and The Streets on Monday overnight; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Franz Ferdinand on Tuesday overnight; Jimmy Kimmel Live boasts an appearance by Modest Mouse on Friday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Usher.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, June 15:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Beastie Boys - To the 5 Boroughs (Capitol) featuring the single "Ch-Check It Out"
Bleeding Through - The Show Must Go Off: This Is Live, This Is Murderous (Kung Fu) DVD filmed this past January in California
Blue States - The Soundings (Memphis Industries) lush and creepy, like a cross between The Cure and ABC
David Bowie - Diamond Dogs (Virgin) 30th-anniversary CD re-issue with original gatefold cover art and a bonus disc of rare tracks featuring a duet with Lulu and a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Growin' Up"
Brandtson - Send Us a Signal (Militia Group) fourth album from these sons of Cleveland, Ohio
Lori Carson - The Finest Thing (Meta Records) new music for meditation
Vic Chesnutt - Little, West of Rome, Drunk, and Is the Actor Happy? (New West) CD re-issues with lots of bonus tracks
Communiqué - Poison Arrows (Lookout) catchy pop punk
Larry Coryell - Tricycles (Favored Nations) featuring a cover of The Beatles' "She's Leaving Home"
De-Lovely - original motion picture soundtrack (Columbia) featuring the music of Cole Porter performed by Elvis Costello, Robbie Williams, Sheryl Crow, and more
Detonations - Static Vision (Alive!) featuring former members of Sex Hunter and The Drags
DJ Shadow - Live! In Tune & On Time (Geffen) available on vinyl, CD, and DVD
Dwarves - "Salt Lake City" (Sympathy for the Record Industry) new seven-inch single with guests Dexter Holland of The Offspring and Nick Oliveri of Mondo Generator
Eighteen Visions - Obsession (Epic) Orange County metalcore joining the Vans Warped Tour later this month
The Fall - Formerly Known as Country on the Click (Narnack) domestic issue with special bonus tracks
Fleetwood Mac - Live in Boston (Warner Bros) recorded last September
Floor - Dove (No Idea) "lost" album from 1994
David Grubbs - A Guess at the Riddle (Drag City) with guest Adam Pierce of Mice Parade
Zack Hexum - The Story So Far (What Have You/Trauma) label debut of this artist-controlled imprint owned by Nick Hexum of 311
Sarah Hudson - Naked Truth (S-Curve) debut from the daughter of Mark Hudson, recently featured on Frontline's look at the current state of the music business, and featuring Steven Tyler of Aerosmith on "I Know"
J Church - Society Is a Carnivorous Flower (No Idea) the group's first studio album in five years
Joe Jackson - Body & Soul (A&M) expanded re-issue
Nicki Jane - Of Pigeons & Other Curiosities (Shaman Records) gothic piano and guitar cabaret music from this New Jersey singer-songwriter
Kill Henry Sugar - Love Beach (Surprise Truck) new from the New York City alt-folk duo that formerly toured in Joan Osborne's live band
Killers - Hot Fuss (Island)
Laura Nyro - Spread Your Wings & Fly (Columbia Legacy) recorded live at the Fillmore East on May 30, 1971
Operation S - Operation S (Broken Rekids) featuring members of Loud Mufflers and No Talents
Phish - Undermined (Elektra) the band's 10th and final studio album, featuring the short film Specimens of Beauty on the bonus DVD
Pink Grease - This Is for Real (Mute) excellent high-energy UK punk pop
Rosavelt - The Story of Gasoline (Gaff) Cleveland's pride with producer Don Dixon
Heidi Saperstein - Zara (Kimchee) excellent dark and dreamy solo album from the former Shiva Speedway vocalist and guitarist
Patti Scialfa - 23rd Street Lullaby (Columbia) with guests Marc Ribot, Steve Jordan, and Nils Lofgren
Silvertide - Show & Tell (J Records) killer debut reminiscent of Guns N' Roses and the Black Crowes; Kerrang magazine calls this Philadelphia quintet an artist to watch in 2004
The Simple Life 2 - original television soundtrack (Virgin) with Gomez, IMA Robot, Courtney Love, Hayseed Dixie, and more
The Soviettes - LPII (Adeline) power punk from Minneapolis with lots of moxie
Chris Stamey - Travels in the South (Yep Roc) new from the db's founder, with guests Ryan Adams, Caitlin Cary, Ben Folds, Don Dixon, and former bandmate Peter Holsapple
Voivod - War & Pain (Metal Blade) two-CD set featuring live tracks from 1983 and 1984
Johnny Winter - I'm a Bluesman (Virgin) all new with James Montgomery on harmonica
Yeah No - Swell Henry (Squealer) new from clarinet/saxophone player Chris Speed
various artists - Music for the World, Vol. 1 (Native Language) international jazz project featuring Bill Bruford's Earthworks, Stanley Jordan, Babaghanoush, and more
· A second volume collecting rare tracks recorded in the mystical Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver is released next week. Featuring Tori Amos, R.E.M., Coldplay, U2, Ben Harper, Gov't Mule, and more, Carved in Stone Vol. 2 will benefit the Preserve the Rocks fund.
· After teasing us with two seasons of deliciously creepy-cool backdrop music, a soundtrack to FX television's Nip/Tuck hits store shelves next week. On the Nettwerk imprint, the set features the South Beach glide of The Engine Room, Erin McKeown, Jazzupstarts, and Kinky. Highlights include Wax Poetic's "Angels," featuring Norah Jones, and Love & Rockets' Daniel Ash taking a cover twist on the classic "Fever."
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Sonic Youth tonight, 311 on Friday, Hoobastank on Monday, and N.E.R.D. on Tuesday; The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Kid Rock tonight, Patti Scialfa on Monday, and Los Lobos on Tuesday; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn reveals Bright Eyes this evening overnight, Barry Manilow on Thursday overnight, Guy Pearce on Friday overnight, and The Streets on Monday overnight; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Franz Ferdinand on Tuesday overnight; Jimmy Kimmel Live boasts an appearance by Modest Mouse on Friday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Usher.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, June 15:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Beastie Boys - To the 5 Boroughs (Capitol) featuring the single "Ch-Check It Out"
Bleeding Through - The Show Must Go Off: This Is Live, This Is Murderous (Kung Fu) DVD filmed this past January in California
Blue States - The Soundings (Memphis Industries) lush and creepy, like a cross between The Cure and ABC
David Bowie - Diamond Dogs (Virgin) 30th-anniversary CD re-issue with original gatefold cover art and a bonus disc of rare tracks featuring a duet with Lulu and a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Growin' Up"
Brandtson - Send Us a Signal (Militia Group) fourth album from these sons of Cleveland, Ohio
Lori Carson - The Finest Thing (Meta Records) new music for meditation
Vic Chesnutt - Little, West of Rome, Drunk, and Is the Actor Happy? (New West) CD re-issues with lots of bonus tracks
Communiqué - Poison Arrows (Lookout) catchy pop punk
Larry Coryell - Tricycles (Favored Nations) featuring a cover of The Beatles' "She's Leaving Home"
De-Lovely - original motion picture soundtrack (Columbia) featuring the music of Cole Porter performed by Elvis Costello, Robbie Williams, Sheryl Crow, and more
Detonations - Static Vision (Alive!) featuring former members of Sex Hunter and The Drags
DJ Shadow - Live! In Tune & On Time (Geffen) available on vinyl, CD, and DVD
Dwarves - "Salt Lake City" (Sympathy for the Record Industry) new seven-inch single with guests Dexter Holland of The Offspring and Nick Oliveri of Mondo Generator
Eighteen Visions - Obsession (Epic) Orange County metalcore joining the Vans Warped Tour later this month
The Fall - Formerly Known as Country on the Click (Narnack) domestic issue with special bonus tracks
Fleetwood Mac - Live in Boston (Warner Bros) recorded last September
Floor - Dove (No Idea) "lost" album from 1994
David Grubbs - A Guess at the Riddle (Drag City) with guest Adam Pierce of Mice Parade
Zack Hexum - The Story So Far (What Have You/Trauma) label debut of this artist-controlled imprint owned by Nick Hexum of 311
Sarah Hudson - Naked Truth (S-Curve) debut from the daughter of Mark Hudson, recently featured on Frontline's look at the current state of the music business, and featuring Steven Tyler of Aerosmith on "I Know"
J Church - Society Is a Carnivorous Flower (No Idea) the group's first studio album in five years
Joe Jackson - Body & Soul (A&M) expanded re-issue
Nicki Jane - Of Pigeons & Other Curiosities (Shaman Records) gothic piano and guitar cabaret music from this New Jersey singer-songwriter
Kill Henry Sugar - Love Beach (Surprise Truck) new from the New York City alt-folk duo that formerly toured in Joan Osborne's live band
Killers - Hot Fuss (Island)
Laura Nyro - Spread Your Wings & Fly (Columbia Legacy) recorded live at the Fillmore East on May 30, 1971
Operation S - Operation S (Broken Rekids) featuring members of Loud Mufflers and No Talents
Phish - Undermined (Elektra) the band's 10th and final studio album, featuring the short film Specimens of Beauty on the bonus DVD
Pink Grease - This Is for Real (Mute) excellent high-energy UK punk pop
Rosavelt - The Story of Gasoline (Gaff) Cleveland's pride with producer Don Dixon
Heidi Saperstein - Zara (Kimchee) excellent dark and dreamy solo album from the former Shiva Speedway vocalist and guitarist
Patti Scialfa - 23rd Street Lullaby (Columbia) with guests Marc Ribot, Steve Jordan, and Nils Lofgren
Silvertide - Show & Tell (J Records) killer debut reminiscent of Guns N' Roses and the Black Crowes; Kerrang magazine calls this Philadelphia quintet an artist to watch in 2004
The Simple Life 2 - original television soundtrack (Virgin) with Gomez, IMA Robot, Courtney Love, Hayseed Dixie, and more
The Soviettes - LPII (Adeline) power punk from Minneapolis with lots of moxie
Chris Stamey - Travels in the South (Yep Roc) new from the db's founder, with guests Ryan Adams, Caitlin Cary, Ben Folds, Don Dixon, and former bandmate Peter Holsapple
Voivod - War & Pain (Metal Blade) two-CD set featuring live tracks from 1983 and 1984
Johnny Winter - I'm a Bluesman (Virgin) all new with James Montgomery on harmonica
Yeah No - Swell Henry (Squealer) new from clarinet/saxophone player Chris Speed
various artists - Music for the World, Vol. 1 (Native Language) international jazz project featuring Bill Bruford's Earthworks, Stanley Jordan, Babaghanoush, and more
