Next week the Yep Roc Records imprint releases the five-disc I Wanna Go Backwards box from Robyn Hitchcock, the first of twin sets that pluck three choice albums from his catalog, slather each with associated outtakes and demos, and ice the layer cake with two CDs of B sides. Selecting three fan-favorite albums of solo work, the offering includes Black Snake Diamond Role from 1981, the pensive I Often Dream of Trains from 1984, and the haunting Eye from 1990. Hitchcock's wit and image associations are socially progressive, brutally honest, and seductively mad. Too timid to slide into the full box set or the eight-LP vinyl version? All three expanded albums are being reissued individually.
Going from highbrow to low, another high-profile CD release is bypassing traditional record stores for an exclusive mall destination. Next week, Victoria's Secret is the only place to find the Spice Girls' new Greatest Hits package, featuring two new songs and a tease for their upcoming tour. Reuniting and appearing on CBS television's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on December 4, the album comes wrapped in a variety of offerings with bonus remixes, karaoke tracks, and even a "gift" bracelet.
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts PJ Harvey tonight and The Shins on Thursday; The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes Missy Elliott this evening, Norah Jones on Thursday, and Alicia Keys on Monday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien boasts Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead this evening and Motion City Soundtrack on Thursday overnight; Jimmy Kimmel Live cuddles up with Coheed & Cambria on Thursday overnight; and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson presents The Who's Roger Daltrey on Tuesday overnight.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, November 13:
Baby Shambles - Up the Shambles: Live in Manchester (Eagle Rock) DVD filmed in 2004, with guest Dot Allison of One Dove
Lurrie Bell - Let's Talk About Love (Aria B.G. Records) tasty guitar work from the Chicago bluesman, featuring a cover of Willie Dixon's "Earthquake & Hurricane"
Boys Like Girls - Boys Like Girls: Deluxe Edition (Columbia) expanded reissue featuring an AOL Sessions cover of Frou Frou's "Let Go" and an acoustic take on "Hero/Heroine"
Boyz II Men - Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA (Decca) all-covers tribute featuring an a cappella rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Ribbon in the Sky"
The Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works (Relapse) with new drummer Gil Sharone, and hot off tour with A Life Once Lost and Genghis Tron
The Doors - Perception (Rhino) 12-CD box set in audiophile-friendly 5.1-channel surround sound
Duran Duran - Red Carpet Massacre (Epic) long-awaited return featuring material co-written with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland
Easy Star All-Stars - Radiodread (Easy Star) reissue of this dynamite "Radiohead meets dub" cover project from last year, now available in a colored-vinyl two-LP set with two new remixes by Mad Professor
Ana Egge - Lazy Days (Grace/Parkinsong) backed by two members of the Lounge Lizards, 10 interesting covers receive her folksy interpretation, including selections by The Kinks, Sandy Denny, Harry Nilsson, Gene Autry, The Zombies, and Arcade Fire
Stace England & the Salt Kings - Salt Sex Slaves (Rankoutsider) with guest twang from Jason & the Scorchers' Jason Ringenberg, this folk-boogie opus tells the tale of slaves, a kidnapping, and the production of - and desire for - salt in olden days Illinois
Aretha Franklin - Jewels in the Crown: All-Star Duets with the Queen (Arista) with George Benson, George Michael, Mariah Carey, John Legend, Mary J. Blige, Fantasia, and Keith Richards
David Gray - Greatest Hits (ATO) featuring two new songs
Hellyeah - Below the Belt (Epic) concert DVD featuring bonus studio footage, interviews, and music videos
The Hives - The Black & White Album (Interscope) with knob-twisting by Jacknife Lee, Timbaland, and The Neptunes
Alicia Keys - As I Am (J Records) with guest John Mayer; also available with a bonus DVD
The Killers - Sawdust (Island) B-sides collection with guest Lou Reed on "Tranquilize," a cover of Joy Division's "Shadowplay," and a new Christmas single, "Don't Shoot Me Santa"
LCD Soundsystem - 45:33 (EMI) previously only available as a download, this physical release of the Nike-commissioned heart-pumping "athletic mix" features bonus B sides
Led Zeppelin - Mothership (Atlantic/Rhino) two-CD greatest-hits package, also available in a four-LP vinyl set and a "deluxe" edition featuring a bonus DVD of rare footage from the band's legendary concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, Madison Square Garden, Earls Court, and Knebworth
Margot at the Wedding - original motion picture soundtrack (Lakeshore) with music by Steve Forbert, Blondie, Stephen Bishop, Alice Cooper, and Jack Black
Maximo Park - "Karaoke Plays" (Warp) import-only CD single featuring a cover of Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You"
Nelly - Brass Knuckles (Universal) with guests Lil Wayne and Pimp C
Os Mutantes - Mutantes Live: Barbican Theater, London (Luaka Bop) this two-CD set or DVD documents the godfathers of Brazilian psychedelia reuniting last year with special guest Devendra Banhart
Primes - Facades & Pink Forms (Postfact Records) bristling, chirping bleep-blop beats from Vancouver
Queensrÿche - Take Cover (Rhino) all-covers project highlighted by a metallic stab at U2's "Bullet the Blue Sky," Pink Floyd's "Welcome to the Machine," and Black Sabbath's "Neon Knights"
Shaggy - Intoxication (Big Yard/VP Records) with guests Mischieve, Collie Budz, and Akon
The Silver Seas - High Society (Cheap Lullaby) in between Ron Sexton, Prefab Sprout, and Jellyfish, this Nashville quartet effortlessly spins gentle daydream pop that feels like an old friend
Streetlight Manifesto - Somewhere in the Between (Victory) featuring former members of Catch 22 and One Cool Guy
James Taylor - One Man Band (Hear Music) CD and DVD set
"Little" Louie Vega - Back in the Box (NRK Music) two CDs of personally selected dance-floor faves
Wire - Read & Burn 03 (Pink Flag) all-new four-song CD EP
various artists - Psychopathics from Outer Space: Part 3 (Psychopathic) featuring new tracks from Insane Clown Posse, Blaze, Boondocks, and Twiztid
