· New York City alternative weekly The Village Voice and its sister newspapers have completed an aggressive benefit CD project they began shortly after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Their call for music from established and up-and-coming artists produced more than 1,000 submissions, 18 of which make up the disc Love Songs For NYC.
The selection of artists is as wide as it is impressive, including Moby, Cornershop, Sheila Chandra, Loudon Wainwright III, and Joseph Arthur. Other highlights include Matthew Shipp's version of "Amazing Grace," "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" from Afrikaa Bambaataa and his Hydraulic Funk, Velvet Underground drummer Moe Tucker's "Fire Up," and The Mekons' live entry "I Heart an Apple." The CD will be released next week and all proceeds benefit the September 11th Fund.
· This Tuesday brings a tribute to master songwriter Ray Davies, as the Praxis label issues This Is Where I Belong: The Songs of Ray Davies & The Kinks. Just looking at track list makes me shudder in awe of the rich history of "perfect songs" that The Kinks produced, material that is often forgotten in a world where the band's same three songs are forever played on classic-rock radio. The list of contributors and their selections lovingly embrace these "other hits," fluffing up your pillow for perfect pop dreams. Highlights include Yo La Tengo's take on "Fancy," Queens of the Stone Age's romp through "Who'll Be the Next in Line," Jonathan Richman's spin on "Stop Your Sobbing," and Fastball's pitch of "Till the End of the Day." Other artists include Ron Sexsmith, Cracker, Steve Forbert, Fountains of Wayne, The Minus 5, and Josh Rouse. Davies himself took care of the liner notes, as well as performing on a new collaboration with Blur's Damon Albarn on "Waterloo Sunset."
· Long before the Gorillaz camped out in the celluloid behind an animated front, the enigmatic foursome known only as The Residents was the most mysterious band ever to peek out from a pop-art mask. While these art-damage culture jammers are focused on their performance art, the "band" has produced 34 albums over 30 years, full of strange noise that ranges from beautiful to downright scary. Next week the East Side Digital imprint releases Petting Zoo, a budget-priced CD collection of the group's more accessible, happy fare. If you wonder what a band whose videos are in the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection sounds like, this is a great place to take a taste.
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts Brandy on Thursday, and Ozzy Osbourne and Cypress Hill on Friday; The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes Sevendust on Thursday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Mike Viola & The Candy Butchers on Friday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn has Faith Evans scheduled for Thursday overnight, and Phantom Planet on Tuesday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly sits down with Snoop Dogg on Thursday overnight, and Elton John on Friday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guests this weekend are Bubba Sparxxx and Shakira.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, April 2:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
36 Crazyfists - Bitterness the Star (Roadrunner) Alaskan hard rock named for a Jackie Chan film
Antichism - Antichism (Prank) singles collection from this South Carolina peace punk band
The Apex Theory - Topsy-Turvy (Dreamworks) featuring the single "Shhhh ... Hope Diggy"
Craig Armstrong - As If to Nothing (Melankolic/Astralwerks) with guests Mogwai, Photek, Bono of U2, and Evan Dando of the Lemonheads
Big Head Todd & The Monsters - Riviera (Big/Warner Bros)
The Capitol City Dusters - Rock Creek (Dischord) second album from Alec Bourgeois of Severine and Ben Azzara of Delta 72
Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Two - The Essential Sun Singles (Varese Sarabande) 25-track collection saluting Cash's 75th birthday this year
Cave Catt Sammy - Triptych (Rubric) rockabilly rhythm rockers
Citizen Bird - Citizen Bird (Stinky) NYC quartet bowing down to influences ranging from the MC5, My Bloody Valentine, and Joy Division
Biffy Clyro - Blackened Sky (Beggars Banquet) recently earning a Kerrang magazine single of the week
El Guapo - Super/System (Dischord) avant-garde punk from Washington, D.C.
Flin Flon - Chicoutimi (Teenbeat) re-formed new band fronted by Mark Robinson of Air Miami and Unrest
Foreigner - Foreigner and 4 (Rhino) from 1977 and 1981, respectfully, these re-mastered CDs feature bonus tracks including "nearly unplugged" versions of "Juke Box Hero" and "Waiting for a Girl Like You"
Tami Hart - What Passed Between Us (Mr. Lady)
Howard Jones - The Essentials: The Howard Jones Collection (Rhino)
Kung Fu Killers - Game of Death (TKO) six-song EP from this secret band featuring covers of songs by Misfits, Bad Brains, and Black Flag
Little Feat - Waiting for Columbus: Deluxe Edition (Rhino) the classic live album from 1978 with 10 bonus tracks
Little Wings - Wonderue (K Records)
Medication - Medication (Locomotive Music/Sin-drome) new EP from former Soulfly and Machinehead guitarist Logan Mader, featuring guests Whit Cane of Life of Agony and Kyle Sanders of Skrew
Missing Joe - Highway Songs (Catapult)
Shana Morrison - 7 Wishes (Vanguard) with two songs written by her father, Van Morrison
Nashville Pussy - "Kicked in the Teeth" (Scooch Pooch) 7-inch single of the AC/DC classic with a Rose Tattoo cover on the flipside
New Radiant Storm King - Winter's Kill (Rainbow Quartz) new from the Massachusetts band that has been covered by Guided by Voices and Joe Pernice
Noise Ratchett - Till We Have Faces (Militia Group)
Orion - The Man Who Would Be King: The Best of Orion (Fuel 2000) 20 tracks from the masked Jimmy Ellis, who fooled many country bumpkins as Elvis Presley reincarnated
Robert Randolph & The Family Band - Live at the Wetlands (Sci-Fidelity/Dare) funky concert recording from this pedal-steel-guitar player, best known for his jam time with Stanley Jordan, Phil Lesh, Greg Allman, Marc Ribot, and the String Cheese Incident
Regency Buck - Deliverance (Dreamworks)
The Reputation - The Reputation (Initial) new from Elizabeth Elmore of Sarge
Short Round - Language (Asian Man) debut from this teenage three-piece featuring The Chinkees' Jason Thinh
various artists - Chill Out Lounge Vol. 3 (Water Music) featuring Baby Mammoth, Bonobo, and ORG Lounge
various artists - Motion 2: A Six Degrees Dance Collection (Six Degrees) rare tracks and dance-friendly remixes from Japan founder David Sylvain, Josh Wink, Sylk 130, Jack Dangers, and Kathy Sledge
Xinlisupreme - Tomorrow Never Comes (Bubblecore/Fat Cat) Japanese feedback 'n' squawk rock duo
David Zollo - The Big Night (Trailer/Rubric)
· This Tuesday brings a tribute to master songwriter Ray Davies, as the Praxis label issues This Is Where I Belong: The Songs of Ray Davies & The Kinks. Just looking at track list makes me shudder in awe of the rich history of "perfect songs" that The Kinks produced, material that is often forgotten in a world where the band's same three songs are forever played on classic-rock radio. The list of contributors and their selections lovingly embrace these "other hits," fluffing up your pillow for perfect pop dreams. Highlights include Yo La Tengo's take on "Fancy," Queens of the Stone Age's romp through "Who'll Be the Next in Line," Jonathan Richman's spin on "Stop Your Sobbing," and Fastball's pitch of "Till the End of the Day." Other artists include Ron Sexsmith, Cracker, Steve Forbert, Fountains of Wayne, The Minus 5, and Josh Rouse. Davies himself took care of the liner notes, as well as performing on a new collaboration with Blur's Damon Albarn on "Waterloo Sunset."
· Long before the Gorillaz camped out in the celluloid behind an animated front, the enigmatic foursome known only as The Residents was the most mysterious band ever to peek out from a pop-art mask. While these art-damage culture jammers are focused on their performance art, the "band" has produced 34 albums over 30 years, full of strange noise that ranges from beautiful to downright scary. Next week the East Side Digital imprint releases Petting Zoo, a budget-priced CD collection of the group's more accessible, happy fare. If you wonder what a band whose videos are in the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection sounds like, this is a great place to take a taste.
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts Brandy on Thursday, and Ozzy Osbourne and Cypress Hill on Friday; The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes Sevendust on Thursday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Mike Viola & The Candy Butchers on Friday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn has Faith Evans scheduled for Thursday overnight, and Phantom Planet on Tuesday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly sits down with Snoop Dogg on Thursday overnight, and Elton John on Friday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guests this weekend are Bubba Sparxxx and Shakira.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, April 2:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
36 Crazyfists - Bitterness the Star (Roadrunner) Alaskan hard rock named for a Jackie Chan film
Antichism - Antichism (Prank) singles collection from this South Carolina peace punk band
The Apex Theory - Topsy-Turvy (Dreamworks) featuring the single "Shhhh ... Hope Diggy"
Craig Armstrong - As If to Nothing (Melankolic/Astralwerks) with guests Mogwai, Photek, Bono of U2, and Evan Dando of the Lemonheads
Big Head Todd & The Monsters - Riviera (Big/Warner Bros)
The Capitol City Dusters - Rock Creek (Dischord) second album from Alec Bourgeois of Severine and Ben Azzara of Delta 72
Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Two - The Essential Sun Singles (Varese Sarabande) 25-track collection saluting Cash's 75th birthday this year
Cave Catt Sammy - Triptych (Rubric) rockabilly rhythm rockers
Citizen Bird - Citizen Bird (Stinky) NYC quartet bowing down to influences ranging from the MC5, My Bloody Valentine, and Joy Division
Biffy Clyro - Blackened Sky (Beggars Banquet) recently earning a Kerrang magazine single of the week
El Guapo - Super/System (Dischord) avant-garde punk from Washington, D.C.
Flin Flon - Chicoutimi (Teenbeat) re-formed new band fronted by Mark Robinson of Air Miami and Unrest
Foreigner - Foreigner and 4 (Rhino) from 1977 and 1981, respectfully, these re-mastered CDs feature bonus tracks including "nearly unplugged" versions of "Juke Box Hero" and "Waiting for a Girl Like You"
Tami Hart - What Passed Between Us (Mr. Lady)
Howard Jones - The Essentials: The Howard Jones Collection (Rhino)
Kung Fu Killers - Game of Death (TKO) six-song EP from this secret band featuring covers of songs by Misfits, Bad Brains, and Black Flag
Little Feat - Waiting for Columbus: Deluxe Edition (Rhino) the classic live album from 1978 with 10 bonus tracks
Little Wings - Wonderue (K Records)
Medication - Medication (Locomotive Music/Sin-drome) new EP from former Soulfly and Machinehead guitarist Logan Mader, featuring guests Whit Cane of Life of Agony and Kyle Sanders of Skrew
Missing Joe - Highway Songs (Catapult)
Shana Morrison - 7 Wishes (Vanguard) with two songs written by her father, Van Morrison
Nashville Pussy - "Kicked in the Teeth" (Scooch Pooch) 7-inch single of the AC/DC classic with a Rose Tattoo cover on the flipside
New Radiant Storm King - Winter's Kill (Rainbow Quartz) new from the Massachusetts band that has been covered by Guided by Voices and Joe Pernice
Noise Ratchett - Till We Have Faces (Militia Group)
Orion - The Man Who Would Be King: The Best of Orion (Fuel 2000) 20 tracks from the masked Jimmy Ellis, who fooled many country bumpkins as Elvis Presley reincarnated
Robert Randolph & The Family Band - Live at the Wetlands (Sci-Fidelity/Dare) funky concert recording from this pedal-steel-guitar player, best known for his jam time with Stanley Jordan, Phil Lesh, Greg Allman, Marc Ribot, and the String Cheese Incident
Regency Buck - Deliverance (Dreamworks)
The Reputation - The Reputation (Initial) new from Elizabeth Elmore of Sarge
Short Round - Language (Asian Man) debut from this teenage three-piece featuring The Chinkees' Jason Thinh
various artists - Chill Out Lounge Vol. 3 (Water Music) featuring Baby Mammoth, Bonobo, and ORG Lounge
various artists - Motion 2: A Six Degrees Dance Collection (Six Degrees) rare tracks and dance-friendly remixes from Japan founder David Sylvain, Josh Wink, Sylk 130, Jack Dangers, and Kathy Sledge
Xinlisupreme - Tomorrow Never Comes (Bubblecore/Fat Cat) Japanese feedback 'n' squawk rock duo
David Zollo - The Big Night (Trailer/Rubric)
