· Also on the re-issue front this Tuesday is Epic Legacy's release of four classic albums from the Electric Light Orchestra, Jeff Lynne's cosmic pop project that was a staple of FM radio in the late 1970s and early 1980s. These digitally remastered editions of Eldorado, Discovery, Time, and Secret Messages feature bonus rare tracks, restored artwork, archival photos, and track-by-track notes by Lynne. Some of the highlights include the cover of Del Shannon's "Little Town Flirt" on Discovery and an instrumental medley from Eldorado. The rollout of these symphonic masterpieces is well-timed, as Lynne is releasing his all-new one-man Electric Light Orchestra album, Zoom, this coming week, with guest Ringo Starr and slide guitar from fellow Traveling Wilbury George Harrison.
· If the saucy new-wave beats of "Wake Up & Make Love to Me" send you into a nostalgic 1977 frenzy, then you must hunt down the import-only tribute album to Ian Dury's seminal New Boots & Panties album, all dressed up for the new century as Brand New Boots & Panties. The album's proceeds help fund the Bacup cancer charity, and the disc features a wide array of today's UK stars lending their vocal talents to these new recordings, all backed by Dury's original band, The Blockheads. Highlights include Billy Bragg's stab at "Billericay Dickie" and Paul McCartney's spin on "I'm Partial to Your Abracadabra." Other artists involved are Sinead O'Connor, Robbie Williams, Shane McGowan, Cerys Matthews of Catatonia, Wreckless Eric, and Madness.
· Radiohead fans can look out for special packaging on the European version of the band's latest, Amnesiac. It is available in a 10-inch vinyl limited edition in a gatefold sleeve and in a CD format that seems to be the rage overseas - housed in a DVD-style case with a 32-page booklet.
· Craig Mack and Frank Sinatra? Hard to believe, but true, as the track "Wooden Horse" from the What's the Worst that Could Happen? soundtrack is just that, built up heavily with Sinatra's looped "Whoops There Goes Another Rubber Tree Plant" vocal line. The NY LA Music release also features Snoop Dogg, Supafriendz, Jo Doja, Sara Jane, and more.
· Seattle instrumental surf sensations The Manatees unleash the new Snackin' with the Manatees set this Tuesday on the Orange label. The album features a Theremin, former members of the punk group the Dehumanizers, and - dig this - an outrageous cover of Kraftwerk's "The Model." Highly recommended as the pool-party splash soundtrack of summer.
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Ben Harper tonight, Jessica Simpson on Thursday, and Brian Setzer on Monday; The Late Show with David Letterman hosts The Black Crowes tonight, Elvis Costello on Thursday, Sugar Ray on Monday, and Jim White on Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Idlewild on Thursday overnight and Spacehog on Monday overnight; and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn has Ben Harper on Thursday overnight.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, June 12:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
16 Horsepower - Hoarse (Checkered Past)
Alpha Blondy - Paris Bearcy (Koch)
Aspera - Sugar & Feathered (Big Wheel Recreation)
The Ass Ponys - Lohio (Checkered Past)
AZ - 9 Lives (Motown) with guests Amil and Beanie Sigel
Babes in Toyland - The Further Adventures of Babes in Toyland (Fuel 2000) singles, B sides, and rarities
Belle & Sebastian - Jonathan David (Matador) all new CD and 12-inch single
Blink-182 - Take Off Your Pants & Jacket (MCA)
David Candy - Playpower (Jetset) a.k.a. Ian Svenonius of The Make Up and Nation of Ulysses with his highly anticipated new solo album of vivid retro-powered pop-magic weirdness
Citizen Fish - Life Size (Honest Don's) 12 new tracks from the former members of the Subhumans
Dr. Dolittle 2 - original motion picture soundtrack (J Records) with LFO, Luther Vandross, and O-Town
Brian Eno & Peter Schwalm - Drawn From Life (Astralwerks) all new and reportedly available in a limited edition two-LP set on 180-gram audiophile vinyl
Glasseater - Seven Years Bad Luck (Fearless)
Halfcocked - The Last Star (Megatronic/Dreamworks) discovered by Spider One of Powerman 5000
Insolence - Insolence (Maverick)
Lost Horizon - Awakening the World (Koch) old-school metal from Sweden
Moochie Mack - Broke Pimpin' (Koch)
Willie Nelson - Rainbow Connection (Island) children's album featuring "I'm Looking over a Four-Leaf Clover" and "Won't You Ride in My Little Red Wagon"
Polysics - Hey Bob, My Friend! (Asian Man) the yellow-jumpsuited Japanese answer to Devo banging and crashing their way to kinetic cacophony
Puya - Union (MCA)
Brian Setzer's '68 Comeback Special - Ignition! (Surf Dog)
Sexy Beast - original motion picture soundtrack (Beyond) featuring the Stranglers, Dean Martin, and new music from UNKLE
Silk - Love Session (Elektra) featuring a cover of Rick James' "Ebony Eyes"
The Silos - Laser Beam Next Door (Checkered Past)
Sloppy Meateaters - Forbidden Meat (Orange Peal)
Stereo MCs - Deep Down & Dirty (Island)
Sugar Ray - Sugar Ray (Lava/Atlantic)
Thee Machine Gun Elephant - Collection (Alive/Total Energy) CD or limited-edition gatefold-sleeved color vinyl compiling material from the band's early albums, rare singles, and new stuff
Travis - The Invisible Band (Epic) currently on tour with Dido supporting this highly anticipated third album produced by Nigel Godrich
Sylvia Tyson - You Were on My Mind (Varese Sarabande) new from the half of Canada's Ian & Sylvia
Useless ID - Bad Story, Happy Ending (Kung Fu)
John Vanderslice - Time Travel Is Lonely (Barsuk)
various artists - Substitute: The Songs of The Who (Edel) with tribute contributions from David Bowie, Pearl Jam, Phish, Paul Weller of the Jam, Fastball, and more
various artists - Dublab Presents: Freeways (Emperor Norton) Los Angeles Internet DJ collaboration's first release of exclusive tracks from Nowhereman, Mannequin Lung, Divine Styler, Yesterday's New Quintet, and more