28
Dec
2004
• This Tuesday the power-pop purveyors at Not Lame Records are releasing a new tribute to The Cars entitled Substitution Mass Confussion. As a salute to Cars bassist Benjamin Orr, who died of cancer in 2000, the CD benefits the American Cancer Society. Twenty-one songs get the cover treatment, with highlights including Jellyfish founder Jason Falkner's spin on "Touch & Go," SWAG's Doug Powell licking "Candy-O," and Purrbox's "Shake It Up." Other artists contributing their favorite songs from these new-wave kings include Chris von Sneidern, Gigolo Aunts, Butch Walker, Owsley, and The Daybirds. One terrific Cars cover missed the collection: Jesse Dalton's honky-tonk take on "Just What I Needed," from this past year's Country Soul Brother album on Stag Records.
• Speaking of the Gigolo Aunts, named for a Syd Barrett song from 1970, Voiceprint Records is releasing a stunning DVD next week, The Pink Floyd & Syd Barrett Story. The legend of the original psychedelic lost boy is one of the most fascinating in rock history, as a founding member and guiding light of Pink Floyd's first three years, only to wander away to tend his mum's garden in the haze of too much LSD. Featuring a beautiful color portrait of Barrett on the DVD's cover and reproductions of early Pink Floyd memorabilia on the inside, the disc's documentary tells the tale of his mental breakdown through those who saw it firsthand - landlords, girlfriends, managers, and others. Bandmates Roger Waters and David Gilmour offer new exclusive interviews, including Waters' description of the last time he saw Barrett, and Gilmour's explanation of how "Wish You Were Here" was written. Other bonus features include musings from fans Jerry Shirley of Humble Pie and Graham Coxon of Blur (who performs his acoustic version of "Love You" from Barrett's solo album Madcap Laughs), and spiritual "stepson" Robyn Hitchcock performing two songs acoustically: "Dominoes" and "It Is Obvious." Mixed in gorgeous 5.1-channel and DTS surround sound, this DVD is one of the finest labors of love in recent memory.
• Bright Eyes and Wilco graced the Austin City Limits stage together this past August and September, with the episode set to air on public television January 8. Bright Eyes' alter ego, Conor Oberst, is busy prepping two new albums to be released on the same day next month on the Saddle Creek imprint. The more acoustic and laid-back set, I'm Wide Awake It's Morning, features guests Emmylou Harris and My Morning Jacket's Jim James, while the other, Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, is a more rock-and-roll affair with guest guitarist Nick Zimmer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
• Andy Partridge of XTC has just released the fifth and sixth volumes of his Fuzzy Warbles series of demos and archives. While fans wait patiently for the band's upcoming Music to Help You Breathe More Easily album, these Ape House Records releases are satisfying, showing off unreleased tunes better than most artists pack their albums with. Collecting 20 and 19 tracks, respectively, the four-track demos are pulled primarily from the Skylarking sessions, with one must-hear highlight - a skiffle version of "Dear God."
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Rod Stewart tonight, Allison Krauss on Thursday, Motley Crue on Friday, and Bowling for Soup on Monday; The Late Show with David Letterman hosts The Walkmen tonight, actor Kevin Spacey (channeling his impressive Bobby Darin) on Friday, Green Day on Monday, and Alicia Keys on Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien boasts Gov't Mule this evening overnight, Mos Def on Thursday overnight, Drive-By Truckers on Monday overnight, and Janet Jackson on Tuesday overnight; The Late Late Show features Ben Harper & The Blind Boys of Alabama on Thursday overnight; and Last Call with Carson Daly sits down with Shawn Colvin this evening overnight, Rufus Wainwright on Thursday overnight, and Liz Phair on Friday overnight.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, January 4:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Adrian Belew - Lone Rhino and Twang Bar King (Gott Discs) two-on-one re-mastered CD re-issues from 1982 and 1983
Carl Cox - Back to Mine (DMC) 19th album in the label's series of after-hours mixes, featuring selections from Style Council, Leftfield, and 808 State
Graham Coxon - Crow Sit on Blood Tree (EMI) re-issue of this 2001 album by the Blur guitarist, featuring two bonus videos
Sandy Denny - The Collection: Chronological Covers & Concert Classics (Spectrum/Universal) featuring covers of Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" and Bob Dylan's "Tomorrow Is a Long Time"
Julia Fordham - That's Live (Vanguard) CD and DVD
Delta Goodrem - Mistaken Identity (Columbia) import-only release from this smash artist from Australia
John Legend - Get Lifted (Columbia) new neo-soul from the Springfield, Ohio, pianist, with guest Snoop Dogg and executive producer Kayne West
Manic Street Preachers - Live Blood (Vertigo) all-new import-only CD featuring the single "For the Love of Richard Nixon"
Manuok - Manuok (Loud & Clear) pronounced "man-you-oh-kay," this is new "bedroom rock" from Scott Mercado of Via Satellite, keeping busy lately with a host of side projects, including Pall Jenkins' Mr. Tube and the Incredible Moses Leroy's Soft Lightes
MC5 - Purity Accuracy (Easy Action) six-CD box set overflowing with demos, acoustic tracks, basement rehearsals, and - dig this - a cover of James Brown's "It's a Man's World"
Ol' Dirty Bastard - Osirus (JC/Official Mixtape) featuring 14 exclusive new tracks
Donny Osmond - What I Meant to Say (Decca) all-new import-only album from the 1970s teen heartthrob
Porno Sonic: Cream Streets - music from the original unreleased motion picture (Valley) whether or not these instrumental sessions are truly lost tracks from 1975 or new recordings aimed to build up to the "money shot," the funky, wicki-wicki-wah-wah grooves within drip with gaudy porno panache
The Streetwalkin' Cheetahs - The Red Tape Diaries (Triple X) collection of out-of-print material and bonus tracks, including a cover of The Dead Boys' "Sonic Reducer" with Jimmy Zero
Leslie West - Guitarded (Voiceprint) new from the Mountain guitarist, featuring a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women" and guests Papa Chubby and Greg Allman
Westlife - Allow Us to Be Frank (RCA) collection of swanky Rat Pack covers including "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" and "That's Life"
various artists - Coney Island Love (Wonderwheel) very cool compilation put together by DJ Nickodemus featuring the international sounds of the New York City landmark, featuring Astor Piazzola, The Spy from Cairo, Zimpala, DJ Angola Feat, and more
various artists - Facedown Fest 2004 (Facedown) two-DVD set filmed at the Southern California hardcore weekend, with sets from Shockwave, Comeback Kid, and more
• Speaking of the Gigolo Aunts, named for a Syd Barrett song from 1970, Voiceprint Records is releasing a stunning DVD next week, The Pink Floyd & Syd Barrett Story. The legend of the original psychedelic lost boy is one of the most fascinating in rock history, as a founding member and guiding light of Pink Floyd's first three years, only to wander away to tend his mum's garden in the haze of too much LSD. Featuring a beautiful color portrait of Barrett on the DVD's cover and reproductions of early Pink Floyd memorabilia on the inside, the disc's documentary tells the tale of his mental breakdown through those who saw it firsthand - landlords, girlfriends, managers, and others. Bandmates Roger Waters and David Gilmour offer new exclusive interviews, including Waters' description of the last time he saw Barrett, and Gilmour's explanation of how "Wish You Were Here" was written. Other bonus features include musings from fans Jerry Shirley of Humble Pie and Graham Coxon of Blur (who performs his acoustic version of "Love You" from Barrett's solo album Madcap Laughs), and spiritual "stepson" Robyn Hitchcock performing two songs acoustically: "Dominoes" and "It Is Obvious." Mixed in gorgeous 5.1-channel and DTS surround sound, this DVD is one of the finest labors of love in recent memory.
• Bright Eyes and Wilco graced the Austin City Limits stage together this past August and September, with the episode set to air on public television January 8. Bright Eyes' alter ego, Conor Oberst, is busy prepping two new albums to be released on the same day next month on the Saddle Creek imprint. The more acoustic and laid-back set, I'm Wide Awake It's Morning, features guests Emmylou Harris and My Morning Jacket's Jim James, while the other, Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, is a more rock-and-roll affair with guest guitarist Nick Zimmer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
• Andy Partridge of XTC has just released the fifth and sixth volumes of his Fuzzy Warbles series of demos and archives. While fans wait patiently for the band's upcoming Music to Help You Breathe More Easily album, these Ape House Records releases are satisfying, showing off unreleased tunes better than most artists pack their albums with. Collecting 20 and 19 tracks, respectively, the four-track demos are pulled primarily from the Skylarking sessions, with one must-hear highlight - a skiffle version of "Dear God."
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Rod Stewart tonight, Allison Krauss on Thursday, Motley Crue on Friday, and Bowling for Soup on Monday; The Late Show with David Letterman hosts The Walkmen tonight, actor Kevin Spacey (channeling his impressive Bobby Darin) on Friday, Green Day on Monday, and Alicia Keys on Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien boasts Gov't Mule this evening overnight, Mos Def on Thursday overnight, Drive-By Truckers on Monday overnight, and Janet Jackson on Tuesday overnight; The Late Late Show features Ben Harper & The Blind Boys of Alabama on Thursday overnight; and Last Call with Carson Daly sits down with Shawn Colvin this evening overnight, Rufus Wainwright on Thursday overnight, and Liz Phair on Friday overnight.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, January 4:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Adrian Belew - Lone Rhino and Twang Bar King (Gott Discs) two-on-one re-mastered CD re-issues from 1982 and 1983
Carl Cox - Back to Mine (DMC) 19th album in the label's series of after-hours mixes, featuring selections from Style Council, Leftfield, and 808 State
Graham Coxon - Crow Sit on Blood Tree (EMI) re-issue of this 2001 album by the Blur guitarist, featuring two bonus videos
Sandy Denny - The Collection: Chronological Covers & Concert Classics (Spectrum/Universal) featuring covers of Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" and Bob Dylan's "Tomorrow Is a Long Time"
Julia Fordham - That's Live (Vanguard) CD and DVD
Delta Goodrem - Mistaken Identity (Columbia) import-only release from this smash artist from Australia
John Legend - Get Lifted (Columbia) new neo-soul from the Springfield, Ohio, pianist, with guest Snoop Dogg and executive producer Kayne West
Manic Street Preachers - Live Blood (Vertigo) all-new import-only CD featuring the single "For the Love of Richard Nixon"
Manuok - Manuok (Loud & Clear) pronounced "man-you-oh-kay," this is new "bedroom rock" from Scott Mercado of Via Satellite, keeping busy lately with a host of side projects, including Pall Jenkins' Mr. Tube and the Incredible Moses Leroy's Soft Lightes
MC5 - Purity Accuracy (Easy Action) six-CD box set overflowing with demos, acoustic tracks, basement rehearsals, and - dig this - a cover of James Brown's "It's a Man's World"
Ol' Dirty Bastard - Osirus (JC/Official Mixtape) featuring 14 exclusive new tracks
Donny Osmond - What I Meant to Say (Decca) all-new import-only album from the 1970s teen heartthrob
Porno Sonic: Cream Streets - music from the original unreleased motion picture (Valley) whether or not these instrumental sessions are truly lost tracks from 1975 or new recordings aimed to build up to the "money shot," the funky, wicki-wicki-wah-wah grooves within drip with gaudy porno panache
The Streetwalkin' Cheetahs - The Red Tape Diaries (Triple X) collection of out-of-print material and bonus tracks, including a cover of The Dead Boys' "Sonic Reducer" with Jimmy Zero
Leslie West - Guitarded (Voiceprint) new from the Mountain guitarist, featuring a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women" and guests Papa Chubby and Greg Allman
Westlife - Allow Us to Be Frank (RCA) collection of swanky Rat Pack covers including "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" and "That's Life"
various artists - Coney Island Love (Wonderwheel) very cool compilation put together by DJ Nickodemus featuring the international sounds of the New York City landmark, featuring Astor Piazzola, The Spy from Cairo, Zimpala, DJ Angola Feat, and more
various artists - Facedown Fest 2004 (Facedown) two-DVD set filmed at the Southern California hardcore weekend, with sets from Shockwave, Comeback Kid, and more
