31
Jan
2006
· Elliott Smith gets a posthumous salute next week with To: Elliott From: Portland as fellow sons and daughters of his hometown interpret their favorite songs from this tortured singer/songwriter, who left this world under mysterious circumstances in 2003.
Portland's Expunged Records collected 15 artists and bands for the CD. Highlights include The Decemberists' run at "Clementine," The Thermals' spin through "Ballad of Big Nothing," and Eric Matthews' choice of "Needle in the Hay." One previously unreleased song by Smith, "High Times," gets the cover treatment by his former roommate, Sean Crogham. More insight into Smith's legacy can be found in a new book from the Da Capo Press, Elliott Smith & the Big Nothing, by Benjamin Nugent. Originally released in 2004, the book's new pressing features a new afterword by the author.
· Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles imprint has announced a mind-boggling new signing, with next month's release of Knight Beat: A Challenge to the Cowards of Christendom by the Knights of the New Crusade. The metal-helmeted quartet dresses the part, and this follow-up album to last year's My God Is Alive! Sorry About Yours! CD is crazy wild Christian rock with a garage, British-invasion twist.
· I'm a big believer in the adage that you can tell a lot more about a person by flipping through their CDs and books than by an evening of conversation. So what do you get when you let the creator of The Simpsons, Matt Groening, loose on his own music festival? This week the All Tomorrow's Parties label has released All Tomorrow's Parties: 3.1: Matt Groening Curated, a companion CD to his own live event from 2003, featuring his own artwork on the cover, and a fold-out poster inside. Artists selected include Deerhoof, Modest Mouse, Electrelane, The Shins, Iggy & the Stooges, and Captain Beefheart's Magic Band, with rarities from Jackie-O MF and Sonic Youth's spin on The Simpsons theme song.
· David Sylvain of Japan returns with a new band this week with his brother and former bandmate Steve Jansen in Nine Horses and the album Snow Borne Sorrow. Rounding out the trio is Burnt Friedman, a man of many monikers, and guests Stina Nordenstam and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Promising to be a more-commercial-sounding release than his previous esoteric efforts, this new project can be found on the Samadhi Sound Records label.
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts Collective Soul on Friday; The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes We Are Scientists tonight, Train on Friday, and Beyonce on Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien boasts Bette Midler on Thursday overnight and Death Cab for Cutie on Monday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson adds up Mute Math this evening overnight and Big & Rich on Monday overnight; Jimmy Kimmel Live features James Blunt on Monday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Prince. Look for another special musical appearance on tonight's episode of Veronica Mars, as Britt Daniel of Spoon will croon a cool take on Elvis Costello's fitting classic "Veronica."
New Releases Coming Tuesday, February 7:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change.
The Avett Brothers- Four Thieves Gone: The Robbinsville Sessions(Ramseur) my pick of the week is this frenzied, down-home magic that channels a Civil War sadness and piney-woods lonesome call with indie-rock abandon
Belle & Sebastian- The Life Pursuit (Matador)
Rick Berlin- Me & Van Gogh(Hi-N-Dry) produced by Morphine's Billy Conway, and recorded on the late Mark Sandman's piano, these pensive last-call melodies are haunting and beautiful
Burst- Origo(Relapse) featuring former members of Nasum
Jason Collett- Idols of Exile (Arts & Crafts) domestic issue of this Canadian release from last year by this member of the ever-revolving Broken Social Scene
Ray Davies- Other People's Lives (V2) solo album from the Kinks founder
Deadboy & the Elephantmen- We Are Night Sky(Fat Possum) new from Dax Riggs and Tessie Brunet
Electric Six- Senor Smoke (Metropolis) featuring the band's feverish cover of Queen's "Radio Ga Ga"
Hamell on Trial- Songs for Parents Who Enjoy Drugs (Righteous Babe) featuring Ani DiFranco's production and guest vocals, keyboards, and kazoo, and Hamell's three-year old son, Detroit, as guest vocalist
Hem- No Word from Tom(Nettwerk) collection of demos, covers, and live tracks from this laid-back Americana collective, featuring a daydream spin through R.E.M.'s "South Central Rain," Fountains of Wayne's "Radiation Vibe," and Tony Joe White's "Rainy Night in Georgia"
Charlie Hunter Trio- Copperopolis (Ropeadope) promising a more rockin' approach to his eight-string guitar mastery
In Flames- Come Clarity(Ferret Music) Swedish quintet hot off the main stage at last year's Ozzfest, this new CD features cover artwork by Derek Hess and is also available in a deluxe edition featuring a bonus DVD
Jack Johnson & Friends- Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies from the Film Curious George (Universal) with Ben Harper, G. Love, Zack Gill, and Matt Costa; featuring a cover of The White Stripes' "We're Going to Be Friends" and the Schoolhouse Rocks classic "Three Is the Magic Number"
Jason Miles- What's Going on? The Songs of Marvin Gaye (Narada Jazz) with guests Herb Alpert, Bobby Caldwell, and Marcus Miller
Lynn Miles- Loves Sweet Love(Red House) with Prairie Oyster guitarist Keith Glass and violinist James Stephens
Minus 5- The Minus 5: The Gun Album (Yep Roc) with core members Scott McCaughey of The Young Fresh Fellows and Peter Buck of R.E.M., this new studio set features guests Kelly Hogan, John Wesley Harding, Colin Meloy of the Decemberists, and Morgan Fisher of Mott the Hoople
William Orbit- Hello Waveforms(Sanctuary) featuring his interpretation of "Humming Chorus" from the opera Madame Butterfly, and guests Finley Quaye and the Sugababes
Beth Orton- Comfort of Strangers (Astralwerks) highly anticipated new album featuring producer Jim O'Rourke on piano, bass, and marimba
Public Enemy- "Can't Hold Us Back" (Guerilla Funk) new single from the Rebirth of a Nation album
Remy Ma- There's Something About Remy: Based on a True Story (Universal) new from the Bronx rapper and voice of the Terror Squad
Small Arms Dealer- A Single Unifying Theory(Deep Elm) with new guitarist Lou Fontana of On the Might of Princes
The Tangent- A Place in the Queue (Inside Out) prog-rock with a flair for the 1970s from Andy Tillison and company
Tegan & Sara- If It's Not Fun, Don't Do It (Vapor) live DVD filmed last year in Toronto
Richard Thompson- RT: The Life & Music of Richard Thompson(Free Reed) five-CD box set featuring a 172-page book and covers of songs by The Who, Plastic Bertrand, Phil Ochs, Rogers & Hammerstein, and Cliff Richard
Transamerica- original motion picture soundtrack (Nettwerk) with dialogue bits from the film, and music from Dolly Parton, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Duncan Sheik, and Lucinda Williams
The Derek Trucks Band- Songlines(Columbia) featuring covers of Toots Hibbert's "Sailing On" and Rahsaan Roland Kirk's "Volunteered Slavery"
various artists - One Tree Hill, Volume 2: Friends With Benefits (Maverick) benefiting The National Breast Cancer Foundation, this television soundtrack features tracks from Feeder, Audioslave, Nada Surf, Mozella, Hot Hot Heat, Jack's Mannequin, Fall Out Boy, and more
various artists- Run the Road Volume 2(Vice) excellent jacked-up collection of "UK grime" with new tracks from Bear Man, Low Deep, Crazy Titch, Mizz Beats, and more
· Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles imprint has announced a mind-boggling new signing, with next month's release of Knight Beat: A Challenge to the Cowards of Christendom by the Knights of the New Crusade. The metal-helmeted quartet dresses the part, and this follow-up album to last year's My God Is Alive! Sorry About Yours! CD is crazy wild Christian rock with a garage, British-invasion twist.
· I'm a big believer in the adage that you can tell a lot more about a person by flipping through their CDs and books than by an evening of conversation. So what do you get when you let the creator of The Simpsons, Matt Groening, loose on his own music festival? This week the All Tomorrow's Parties label has released All Tomorrow's Parties: 3.1: Matt Groening Curated, a companion CD to his own live event from 2003, featuring his own artwork on the cover, and a fold-out poster inside. Artists selected include Deerhoof, Modest Mouse, Electrelane, The Shins, Iggy & the Stooges, and Captain Beefheart's Magic Band, with rarities from Jackie-O MF and Sonic Youth's spin on The Simpsons theme song.
· David Sylvain of Japan returns with a new band this week with his brother and former bandmate Steve Jansen in Nine Horses and the album Snow Borne Sorrow. Rounding out the trio is Burnt Friedman, a man of many monikers, and guests Stina Nordenstam and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Promising to be a more-commercial-sounding release than his previous esoteric efforts, this new project can be found on the Samadhi Sound Records label.
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts Collective Soul on Friday; The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes We Are Scientists tonight, Train on Friday, and Beyonce on Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien boasts Bette Midler on Thursday overnight and Death Cab for Cutie on Monday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson adds up Mute Math this evening overnight and Big & Rich on Monday overnight; Jimmy Kimmel Live features James Blunt on Monday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Prince. Look for another special musical appearance on tonight's episode of Veronica Mars, as Britt Daniel of Spoon will croon a cool take on Elvis Costello's fitting classic "Veronica."
New Releases Coming Tuesday, February 7:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change.
The Avett Brothers- Four Thieves Gone: The Robbinsville Sessions(Ramseur) my pick of the week is this frenzied, down-home magic that channels a Civil War sadness and piney-woods lonesome call with indie-rock abandon
Belle & Sebastian- The Life Pursuit (Matador)
Rick Berlin- Me & Van Gogh(Hi-N-Dry) produced by Morphine's Billy Conway, and recorded on the late Mark Sandman's piano, these pensive last-call melodies are haunting and beautiful
Burst- Origo(Relapse) featuring former members of Nasum
Jason Collett- Idols of Exile (Arts & Crafts) domestic issue of this Canadian release from last year by this member of the ever-revolving Broken Social Scene
Ray Davies- Other People's Lives (V2) solo album from the Kinks founder
Deadboy & the Elephantmen- We Are Night Sky(Fat Possum) new from Dax Riggs and Tessie Brunet
Electric Six- Senor Smoke (Metropolis) featuring the band's feverish cover of Queen's "Radio Ga Ga"
Hamell on Trial- Songs for Parents Who Enjoy Drugs (Righteous Babe) featuring Ani DiFranco's production and guest vocals, keyboards, and kazoo, and Hamell's three-year old son, Detroit, as guest vocalist
Hem- No Word from Tom(Nettwerk) collection of demos, covers, and live tracks from this laid-back Americana collective, featuring a daydream spin through R.E.M.'s "South Central Rain," Fountains of Wayne's "Radiation Vibe," and Tony Joe White's "Rainy Night in Georgia"
Charlie Hunter Trio- Copperopolis (Ropeadope) promising a more rockin' approach to his eight-string guitar mastery
In Flames- Come Clarity(Ferret Music) Swedish quintet hot off the main stage at last year's Ozzfest, this new CD features cover artwork by Derek Hess and is also available in a deluxe edition featuring a bonus DVD
Jack Johnson & Friends- Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies from the Film Curious George (Universal) with Ben Harper, G. Love, Zack Gill, and Matt Costa; featuring a cover of The White Stripes' "We're Going to Be Friends" and the Schoolhouse Rocks classic "Three Is the Magic Number"
Jason Miles- What's Going on? The Songs of Marvin Gaye (Narada Jazz) with guests Herb Alpert, Bobby Caldwell, and Marcus Miller
Lynn Miles- Loves Sweet Love(Red House) with Prairie Oyster guitarist Keith Glass and violinist James Stephens
Minus 5- The Minus 5: The Gun Album (Yep Roc) with core members Scott McCaughey of The Young Fresh Fellows and Peter Buck of R.E.M., this new studio set features guests Kelly Hogan, John Wesley Harding, Colin Meloy of the Decemberists, and Morgan Fisher of Mott the Hoople
William Orbit- Hello Waveforms(Sanctuary) featuring his interpretation of "Humming Chorus" from the opera Madame Butterfly, and guests Finley Quaye and the Sugababes
Beth Orton- Comfort of Strangers (Astralwerks) highly anticipated new album featuring producer Jim O'Rourke on piano, bass, and marimba
Public Enemy- "Can't Hold Us Back" (Guerilla Funk) new single from the Rebirth of a Nation album
Remy Ma- There's Something About Remy: Based on a True Story (Universal) new from the Bronx rapper and voice of the Terror Squad
Small Arms Dealer- A Single Unifying Theory(Deep Elm) with new guitarist Lou Fontana of On the Might of Princes
The Tangent- A Place in the Queue (Inside Out) prog-rock with a flair for the 1970s from Andy Tillison and company
Tegan & Sara- If It's Not Fun, Don't Do It (Vapor) live DVD filmed last year in Toronto
Richard Thompson- RT: The Life & Music of Richard Thompson(Free Reed) five-CD box set featuring a 172-page book and covers of songs by The Who, Plastic Bertrand, Phil Ochs, Rogers & Hammerstein, and Cliff Richard
Transamerica- original motion picture soundtrack (Nettwerk) with dialogue bits from the film, and music from Dolly Parton, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Duncan Sheik, and Lucinda Williams
The Derek Trucks Band- Songlines(Columbia) featuring covers of Toots Hibbert's "Sailing On" and Rahsaan Roland Kirk's "Volunteered Slavery"
various artists - One Tree Hill, Volume 2: Friends With Benefits (Maverick) benefiting The National Breast Cancer Foundation, this television soundtrack features tracks from Feeder, Audioslave, Nada Surf, Mozella, Hot Hot Heat, Jack's Mannequin, Fall Out Boy, and more
various artists- Run the Road Volume 2(Vice) excellent jacked-up collection of "UK grime" with new tracks from Bear Man, Low Deep, Crazy Titch, Mizz Beats, and more
