Unshackled by the restraints of traditional CD manufacture and distribution, Yep Roc Records is using the "digital-only" delivery model to release a Halloween-themed compilation for groovy ghouls and boys. Available only as a download through the label's Web site for a budget price, the 15-track Rockin' Bones boasts the exclusive "Ghoulman Confidential" by the Fleshtones, and other tricks and treats from Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, Robyn Hitchcock, The Minus 5, Radio Birdman, Los Straitjackets, and more.
Girl power is in the house in a terrific new triple-CD labor of love from Germany's Chicks On Speed Records. Subtitled "A Guide Through the Real History of Woman's Cutting Edge Music," next week's release of Girl Monster is a smart, adventurous ride that kicks stupid Lolita-wannabes to the curb with three decades of creative excellence outside the mainstream. All the touchstones are represented, from The Slits and Throbbing Gristle's Cosey Fanni Tutti to Bjork and The Raincoats, moving forward through time and technology with Le Tigre, Peaches, Miss Le Bomb, Delta 5, and Tina Weymouth of the Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club. With two-thirds of the 60 tracks exclusive to the set, it's hard to pick just a handful of highlights, but Hotel Motel's swaggering "Sucker Man" and Juliette & the Licks' "You're Speaking My Language" are on my permanent repeat list. Featuring two huge fold-out posters of text and collage, including liner notes by Lucy O'Brien - the author of Cyndi Lauper's hit "She-Bop" - this is an A+ audio history of underground estrogen in action. Highly recommended.
More focus on up-and-coming women is also due Tuesday in the second volume of Monika Enterprise Records' 4 Women No Cry series, a globe-trotting showcase CD featuring four talented artists from London, Berlin, Barcelona, and New York City.
Television Alert:
The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes John Legend tonight and Beck on Monday; The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts Marilyn Manson on Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien presents Norah Jones in her side project The Little Willies this evening overnight and Cat Power on Monday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson boasts Corinne Bailey Rae this evening overnight and Alice Cooper on Tuesday overnight; Jimmy Kimmel Live gets chatty with Justin Timberlake on Thursday overnight and Meat Loaf on Tuesday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Beck.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, October 31:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change.
Aerosmith - Devil's Got a New Disguise: The Very Best Of Aerosmith (Columbia) with two new songs
Aiden - Rain in Hell (Victory) CD EP featuring a cover of Billy Idol's "White Wedding" and a bonus DVD with three videos and concert footage from Chicago and Seattle
Amity Lane - The Sound of Regret (Corporate Punishment) featuring Kevin Palmer and Josh Moates of Trust Company
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan - stereophonic musical listenings that have been origin in moving film (Downtown / Atlantic) enhanced CD featuring "You Be My Wife" and the entire "humor couch" scene from the film
Burden Brothers - Mercy (Kirtland) new from Toadies vocalist Todd Lewis and Reverend Horton Heat drummer Taz Bentley
Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist (Warner Bros) with guests Annie Hardy of Giant Drag and Serj Tankian of System of a Down
Desmond Dekker - In Memoriam: 1941-2006 (MVD Audio) the final sessions from this reggae/ska legend, featuring a new recording of his monster hit, "Israelites," and a cover of Jimmy Cliff's "You Can Get It If You Really Want"
Devastations - Coal (Brassland) stateside debut of this Australian critical smash, on tour next month with The Drones
The Figgs - Follow Jean Through the Sea (Gern Blandsten) all new power pop yum from Graham Parker's backing band
Flavor Flav - Flavor Flav (Drayton Records) solo debut on his artist-controlled imprint, named for his "Yeaaaaah Boyyyyyy!" secret identity, William Drayton
Flotsam and Jetsam - Doomsday for the Deceiver: 20th Anniversary Edition (Metal Blade) remastered reissue of this metal masterpiece, expanded with bonus demos and unreleased tracks
Happy Feet - original motion picture soundtrack (Atlantic) featuring a new song from Prince and a cover of the Beatles' "Golden Slumbers" by k.d. lang
Isis - In the Absence of Truth (Ipecac)
KISS - Krazy Killer (Music Video Distributors) DVD featuring Gene and Paul storming the 1994 KISS Konvention in Detroit, retrieving their stolen vintage costumes by force
Nellie McKay - Pretty Little Head (Hungry Mouse / Spin Art) after being freed from her major label deal over creative differences, the highly anticipated album emerges victorious in its originally intended, full 23-song, two-CD glory, featuring duets with k.d. lang and Cyndi Lauper
Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster is Loose (Virgin) with guests Todd Rundgren, Brian May, and Steve Vai, the album's first single is a duet with Marion Rave, "It's All Coming Back To Me Now"
Ms. Fits - Hate Is Your Mistress (Cover Grrl) gotta love this all-girl Misfits tribute band!
My Morning Jacket - Okonokos (ATO / RCA) companion DVD
Willie Nelson - Songbird (Lost Highway) produced by Ryan Adams, featuring covers of the Grateful Dead's "Stella Blue" and Gram Parsons' "$1,000 Wedding"
Carey Ott - Lucid Dream (Dualtone) excellent Chicago-based singer/songwriter debut who's recently had his music featured on television's Grey's Anatomy
Pennywise - Smoke Out Presents Pennywise (Eagle Vision) DVD featuring covers of Nirvana's "Territorial Pissing" and OutKast's "Hey Ya"
Ratos De Porao - Homem Inimigo do Homem (Alternative Tentacles) Brazilian hardcore with a political edge
The Residents - Tweedles (Mute) new noodlings with the Film Orchestra of Budapest housed in a limited-edition hardback book
Joe Satriani - Satriani LIVE! (Red Ink / Epic) two-CD or two-DVD set
Nina Simone - Remixed & Reimagined (RCA Legacy) sexy-cool club project with superstar producers DJ Logic, Tony Humphries, Coldcut, Nickodemus and more cutting a new groove from her late 1960's and early 1970's sessions, highlighted by Francois K.'s spin on a cover of the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun"
Sparks - "Dick Around" (In the Red) CD single with bonus videos and an interview conducted by Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols
Starless & Bible Black - Starless & Bible Black (Locust) intriguing British trio that mesmerizes in the British folk tradition, fresh with electronic warblings and playful, plucky, rainy day boogie
Steel Pulse - Rasanthology II: The Sequel (United States of Distribution) featuring a cover of Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl"
Sunny Sweeney - Heartbreaker's Hall of Fame (Sunny Sweeney) featuring a cover of Iris Dement's Mama's Opry"
Tea Leaf Green - Rock 'N" Roll Band (Sci Fidelity) live CD or DVD recorded at the Fox Theater in Boulder
To Live and Shave in L.A. - Noon and Eternity (Menlo Park) with guests Andrew W.K., Thurston Moore and Don Fleming
Snowy White and the White Flames - Little Wing (United States of Distribution) four-star expanded domestic re-issue from 1998 from the smokin' British guitarist whose resume reads Thin Lizzy, Pink Floyd, Al Stewart, and Peter Green, featuring a cover of the Jimi Hendrix title track
The Who - Endless Wire (Republic / Universal)
The Wipeouters - P'Twaaang (Cleopatra) surfin' DEVO side project
Thom Yorke - "Analyse" (XL Recordings) new CD and 12" single
various artists - Superstars of the '80s: Volumes 1-3 (Time Life) nicely done compilation series boasting 23 number-one hits over 45 time traveling tracks
