· Already a huge smash in the U.K., the self-titled debut from the Scissor Sisters, featuring a danceable cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb," will be released domestically by Universal Records. ... Pearl Jam offers an unplugged treat Tuesday, Live at Benaroya Hall October 22, 2003, on the Ten Club/BMG imprint. The two-CD all-acoustic set features three cool covers: The Ramones' "I Believe in Miracles," Bob Dylan's "Masters of War," and Johnny Cash's "25 Minutes to Go."
· Do you remember "Wasted Days & Wasted Nights" from 1959? The Tex-Mex wail of Freddy Fender is back, with an all-new collection of covers, Close to My Heart. The Fuel 2000 Records release features his take on The Beatles' "Yesterday," Sam Cooke's "You Send Me," and Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville."
· The artist-friendly iMUSIC label is releasing its Motorcycle Mania 3 compilation, with tracks hand-picked by West Coast Choppers' rebel CEO, Jesse James. Featuring Kid Rock's take on Charlie Daniels' "Long Hair Country Boy," the full-throttle set also revs up Fu Manchu, Cypress Hill, Danzig, New Bomb Turks, and Lou Rawls.
· With a tip of her hat homeward, k.d. lang is releasing Hymns of the 49th Parallel on the Nonesuch label, a collection of covers of songs by fellow Canadians Neil Young, Jane Siberry, Bruce Cockburn, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Ron Sexsmith, and more.
· And while not found in stores, this Tuesday (http://www.attackedbyplastic.com) is releasing the third in Ben Folds' EP trilogy, Super D. Like the previous two, the mini-set features cool covers, this time "Get Your Hands Off My Woman" by The Darkness and "Then That Got" by Ray Charles.
Television Alert:
The Late Show with David Letterman hosts the Yeah Yeah Yeahs tonight and The Hives on Thursday; The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Five for Fighting on Friday and Morris Day of The Time on Monday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Death Cab for Cutie on Friday overnight and Shinedown on Monday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn boasts Morrissey on Thursday overnight, Jet on Monday overnight, and the Old 97's on Tuesday overnight; Jimmy Kimmel Live takes over Tuesday overnight with Taking Back Sunday; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is J-Kwon.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, July 27:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
!!! - "Hello? Is This Thing On?" (Touch & Go) new single
Anger Regiment - Aces & Eights (Bridge Nine) featuring Mark Porter of Floorpunch
Badly Drawn Boy - One Plus One Is One (XL Recordings) have you seen the killer animated video for "Year of the Rat"?
Cherry Bombs - The Notorious Cherry Bombs (Universal) reuniting Vince Gill and Rodney Crowell, and featuring the single "It's Hard to Kiss the Lips at Night That Chew Your Ass Out All Day Long"
Coldplay - Back from the Start (Music Video Distributors) DVD release
Comets on Fire - Blue Cathedral (SubPop) tumbling, tripped-out sludge psychedelia
DJ Nu-Mark - Blend Crafters (Up Above) new from the Jurassic 5 beat-smith
Tanya Donelly - Whiskey Tango Ghosts (4AD) the third solo album from the founding member of the Breeders, Belly, and Throwing Muses
Faze Action - Broad Souls (Bar de Lune) ultra sexy down-tempo British soul with new vocalist Andre Espeut
Tony Furtado - These Chains (Funzalo) featuring songs co-written with Jules Shear, Jim Lauderdale, and NRBQ's Al Anderson
Anthony Michael James - Old Friends (Compendia) debut from this full-time Pennsylvanian fireman
Kings of Convenience - Riot on an Empty Street (Astralwerks)
Letter Kills - The Bridge (Island) debut from this Southern California band featured on last year's Vans Warped Tour
Lovedrug - Pretend You're Alive (Militia Group) soaring, passionate full-length debut from Canton, Ohio, drawing chills like U2 meets the Smashing Pumpkins
M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas, & Lost Ghosts (Mute) domestic release of this critical electronic smash from France, featuring a bonus disc of music and videos
Janiva Magness - Bury Him at the Crossroads (Northern Blues) label debut from this W.C. Handy Award nominee
The Meat Purveyors - Pain by Numbers (Bloodshot)
Chris Minh Doky - Minh (In2Jazz) new from the jazz bassist, featuring covers of The Police's "Every Breath You Take" and Gino Vanelli's "I Just Wanna Stop"
Joni Mitchell - The Beginning of Survival (Geffen)
Moby - Play: The B-Sides (V2) tracks recorded during the album's sessions in 2000
Novecento - Featuring Stanley Jordan (Favored Nations) new from the Italian jazz ensemble in collaboration with the "tapping technique" guitarist
O.A.R. - 34th & 8th (Everfine) two-CD live set recorded at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom
Old 97's - Drag It Up (New West) with guests from the Ray Charles Orchestra
OTEP - House of Secrets (Capitol) on tour with this summers' Ozzfest
Prince Po - Slickness (Lex) solo debut from the Organized Konfusion founder, with guests MF Doom, Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan, and J-Ro of the Alkaholiks
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Live in Hyde Park (Warner Bros) import-only two-CD set featuring a cover of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" and the Looking Glass hit "Brandy"
Sahara Hotnights - Kiss & Tell (RCA)
Starwood - If It Ain't Broke, Break It! (Metal Blade) featuring members of Lizzy Borden
Tommy Stinson - Village Gorilla Head (Sanctuary) new solo album from the former Replacements bassist, with guest Frank Black
Swing Out Sister - Where Our Love Grows (Liberty) all new and import only
Taking Back Sunday - Where You Want to Be (Victory) featuring the song "This Photograph Is Proof (I Know You Know)" from Spider-Man 2
various artists - 20 Years After: The Woodstock Reunion Concert (Kultur) DVD with Canned Heat, Grand Funk Railroad, and Melanie
various artists - Austin City Limits Music Festival: 2003 Collection (New West) with R.E.M., Bright Eyes, Robert Randolph, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, and Steve Winwood
various artists - For the Next X: A Benefit CD for RAINN (RAINN.org) featuring live tracks from Tori Amos, Indigo Girls, Dar Williams, Michelle Branch, and matchbox twenty
various artists - Por Vida (Or Music) benefit tribute to aid Alejandro Escovedo in his battle with Hepatitis C, featuring Los Lonely Boys, Whiskeytown, Cowboy Junkies, Son Volt, Billy Corgan, Jackson Browne, Los Lobos, the Jayhawks, Peter Case, Ian Hunter, Joe Ely, Shelia E, Jennifer Warnes, and more
various artists - Uberzone Presents Y4K (Distinctive Breaks) mix CD heavy on the breaks, with BLIM, Etostone, and Elite Force
various artists - We Ain't No Housewife Material: All Girl Garage, Rock, & Punk Groups (Dionysus) with Betty Blowtorch, Shemale Trouble, The Soap, Candyrag, and more
Wylde Bunch - Wylde Times at Washington High (Columbia) "big-band hip-hop" genre-smashing debut, featuring special guest Maurice White of Earth, Wind, & Fire; recently heard performing the theme of Bravo TV's Blow Out