· This Tuesday brings two new sweets from The Flaming Lips. After numerous delays, a new enhanced edition of Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots takes fans deeper into the seduction, with a bonus DVD 5.1-channel surround mix of the album, 10 videos, and six rare recordings. Warner Bros. Records is also issuing a teaser of new material with Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell, a seven-track EP of new tracks, re-mixes, and a new holiday song, "A Chance at Christmas (Say It Isn't So)."
· One more Flaming Lips-related rarity can be found on Chumbawamba's new Readymades & Then Some album. Tucked into the Koch Records' CD is a bonus DVD, featuring a knob-twisting re-mix of the group's anarchist smash "Tubthumping," courtesy of the Lips and producer/friend Dave Fridmann.
· Speaking of re-mixes, some cool new "re-interpretation projects" are rumbling about. The Tino Corporation imprint has released its salute to a pioneering electronic classic from 1989, Meat Beat Manifesto's Storm the Studio. Now titled Storm the Studio R.M.X.S., the album is re-born cut-by-cut in a hip-hop vein, with contributors Merzbow, DJ Spooky, DJ Swamp, Eight Frozen Modules, Twilight Circus Dub Sound System, and more.
· Also refreshing is the classic Savoy Jazz label, as its new Bird Up collection features tracks by the legendary Charlie Parker spun inside out by Dan the Automator, RZA & Choco of the Wu Tang Clan, Serj Tankian of System of a Down, Rob Swift of the X-ecutioners, Me'shell Ndegeocello, and a special teaming of Dr. John, Kronos Quartet, and Mocean Worker. The label has also produced a companion CD for the re-mix project, Bird Up: The Originals, collecting the original versions of the same lineup of tracks for $6.98.
· If dance-floor house is more your fancy, Topaz Records has just released the second volume of its Back to the '80s series. The CD features 12 classic hits of the 1980s re-mixed club style by Charles Feelgood, DJ Irene, and others into a nonstop flurry of beats. Highlights include a must-hear spin on Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train" by How Hard and Newcleus' wicky-wicky "Jam On It" by DJ Cer.
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Sarah McLachlan tonight, Outkast on Thursday, Elvis Costello on Friday, Britney Spears on Monday, and Kid Rock on Tuesday; The Late Show with David Letterman tickles Pink on Thursday and Shelby Lynne on Friday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien hosts Andrew W.K. on Friday overnight, Gillian Welch on Monday overnight, and The Strokes on Tuesday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn features Sarah McLachlan on Friday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly sits down with R.E.M. this evening overnight and Wyclef Jean on Thursday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Missy Elliot
New Releases Coming Tuesday, November 18:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Tori Amos - Tales of a Librarian (Atlantic) two-CD set of greatest hits and two new songs, and a bonus DVD
The Beatles - Let It Be ... Naked (EMI) anticipated release of this classic album, now stripped of Phil Spector's "strings and choir" production
Blink-182 - Blink-182 (MCA) all new
Cex - Maryland Mansions (Jade Tree) tagged by URB as an artist to watch
Eisley - Marvelous Things (Warner Bros) new EP from the three DuPree sisters who were a big hit at the Coachella Festival
Floetry - Floacism (DreamWorks) CD and bonus DVD package, recorded live in New Orleans with guest Mos Def
Guitar Wolf - Red Idol (Narnack) DVD release featuring live footage, interviews, and guests Jon Spencer and God Speed You Black Emperor
Ben Harper - Live at the Hollywood Bowl (Virgin) DVD or four-track CD EP featuring his cover of Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing"
Jhene - My Name Is Jhene (Epic) debut from the cousin of Lil Fizz
Korn - Take a Look in the Mirror (Epic)
Cyndi Lauper - At Last (Daylight/Epic) new collection of torch standards such as "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" and "Walk On By," with duets of "Makin' Whoopee" with Tony Bennett and "Until You Come Back to Me" with Stevie Wonder
Alvin Lee - The Anthology (Rainman) two-CD set featuring a 13-minute live performance of "I'm Going Home"
John Lennon - Lennon Legend (Capitol) DVD packed with rare footage, animations of his drawings, photo galleries, all-new videos for "Working Class Hero" and "Give Peace a Chance," and film of his last performance on April 18, 1975
Jennifer Lopez - "The Reel Me" (Epic) EP and DVD package
Aimee Mann - Lost in Space (Super Ego/United Musicians) two-CD special edition with ten bonus tracks, enhanced CD-ROM video, and cover art by Seth; also available in a limited edition numbered format with more illustrations
April March - Sometimes When I Stretch (Sympathy for the Record Industry) vinyl-only five-track EP
Dave Matthews Band - The Central Park Concert (RCA) three-CD or two-DVD set filmed this past September, featuring a cover of Neil Young's "Cortez the Killer"
Melvins - "Revolve" (Suicide Squeeze) seven-inch single
National Eye - The Meter Glows (Feel) sleepy-eyed debut from Philadelphia
Porest - Prude Juice for the Heritage Swinger (Seeland/Electro Motive) audio cut-up and field-recording collage from this founding member of Mono Pause
Rage Against the Machine - Live at the Olympic Auditorium (Epic) recorded over two nights in September 2000 and featuring live covers of Devo's "Beautiful World," the MC5's "Kick Out the Jams," and Cypress Hill's "How Could I Just Kill a Man"
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Greatest Hits (Warner Bros) with two new songs, also available in a limited-edition package featuring a DVD of 15 videos
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Live at Slane (Warner Bros) DVD concert filmed this past August at the Slane Castle in Ireland
Dean Roberts - Be Mine Tonight (Kranky) new from the former member of The White Winged Moth
Seekonk - For Barbara Lee (Kimchee) slow and dreamy debut fronted by breathy sculptor and painter Shana Barry
Six Parts Seven - Lost Notes from Forgotten Songs (Suicide Squeeze) instrumentals re-mixed with new vocals by members of Pedro the Lion, Modest Mouse, and Iron & Wine
Slipknot - Welcome to Our Neighborhood (Roadrunner) DVD featuring early footage
Britney Spears - Get in the Zone (Jive)
Bruce Springsteen - Live in Barcelona (Columbia) 5.1-channel surround sound two-DVD set filmed last year
U2 - U2 Go Home (Interscope) interactive live DVD filmed in 2001 at Ireland's Slane Castle
Steve Vai - Live at the Astoria London (Favored Nations) two-DVD set featuring a cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing"
various artists - Concert for George (Warner Strategic) last fall's tribute to George Harrison, available as a two-CD or two-DVD set, featuring both the theatrical release and the unabridged concert with friends Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Billy Preston
Bob Weir - Weir Here (Hybrid) two-CD set featuring hits and covers
Yellowcard - One for the Kids (SideCho) enhanced CD featuring an acoustic version of "Rough Draft"
Frank Zappa - Baby Snakes (Eagle Rock) DVD release of the 1979 film, featuring Claymation by Bruce Bickford