02
Apr
2002
· My favorite record of the moment is I Can See Your House from Here by The Scooters, a gorgeous sophomore release blending sweeping Brit-pop melodies and easy beat twang. From the open acoustic chords of "This Is How It Ends" and its Radiohead-esque lyrics - "So this is how it ends / Man against machine / It's the finest fistfight / The world has ever seen" - the album stretches out and soars with shimmering three-part harmonies and hook-driven power pop.
Critics gushing over this Cardiff, Wales, quintet often compare it to the Beatles and Byrds, but my heart swoons to the colors of Squeeze, Crowded House, and Mitch Easter-era college radio pop - refreshingly honest and tenderly quirky. This release bears the Aeronaut Records imprint and should also find a home in the hearts of fans of today's alternative-country scene. This is chock full of perfect songs, an ideal soundtrack to springtime warmth.
· Jeff Tweedy of Wilco has recorded all new music for the soundtrack of Ethan Hawke's directorial debut, the upcoming Chelsea Walls. The soundtrack is due later this month on the Rykodisc label and promises instrumental touches reminiscent of Ry Cooder's film work and Neil Young's Dead Man backdrop. One non-Tweedy track stands out on the film's set: a cover of John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" by jazz vocal legend Jimmy Scott.
· Speaking of covers, this Tuesday brings an intriguing head-on collision of possibilities when 13 classic pop songs are performed by the 10 British choristers known as Gregorian. Some of the "I've got to hear this" selections they've worked out in the Gregorian-chant style include U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking for," Ultravox's "Vienna," Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters," R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion," and Dire Straits' "Brothers in Arms." Look for this "uplifting" release on the highbrow Decca Records label.
· This Tuesday also brings All Tomorrow's Parties 2.0, a collection of tracks from some of indie-rock royalty in conjunction with their appearances at this month's All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Sussex, England. Hosted this time by Shellac, the disc features previously unreleased gems from Bonnie Prince Billy, Rachel's, and Threnody Ensemble, as well as other selections from Arcwelder, The Fall, Mission of Burma, Shipping News, and the hosts themselves. The festival has been previously hosted and cultivated by Tortoise and Sonic Youth.
Television Alert:
This Sunday's episode of The Simpsons promises special guest Phish performing their "Run Like an Antelope"; The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Alanis Morissette on Thursday, Goo Goo Dolls on Friday, and Shawn Colvin on Monday; The Late Show with David Letterman hosts a rare appearance by Patti Smith this evening; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn features John Mayer on Thursday overnight, and the explosive And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead on Friday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly shares the easy chair with Fat Joe on Monday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Jimmy Eat World.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, April 9:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
764-HERO - Nobody Knows This Is Everywhere (Tiger Style)
Ali - Heavy Starch (Universal) new from the St. Lunatics member
Angelic Upstarts - Bootlegs, Live & Rarities (Cleopatra) 29 tracks over two CDs
Azure Ray - Burn & Shiver (Warm Electronic)
Badly Drawn Boy - About a Boy (XL Recordings/Beggars Banquet) music from the film
The Baldwin Brothers - Cooking with Lasers (TVT) featuring guest Miho Hatori of Cibo Matto and Angie Hart of Frente!
Big Country - Live in Cologne (Cleopatra) featuring the hits "Fields of Fire" and "Look Away"
Brute - Co-Bait (Widespread/Sanctuary) sophomore release from this teaming of Widespread Panic and Vic Chesnutt
The Dishes - 1-2 (No. 89 Records) all-girl ruff-and-ready rockers from Chicago featuring guitarist/vocalist Sarah Staskauskas
Steve Earle - Sidetracks (Artemis) 14-track collection of rarities, soundtrack contributions, and covers including Little Feat's "Willin'," The Flying Burrito Brothers' "My Uncle," and Jimmy Cliff's "Johnny Too Bad"
Face to Face - How to Ruin Everything (Vagrant)
Goo Goo Dolls - Gutterflower (Warner Bros)
David Greenburger - Duplex Planet Radio Hour (Carrot Top) two-CD collection of two one-hour performances featuring NRBQ guitarist Terry Adams, recorded live at NYC's St. Ann's in 1994
Matt Harris - Slightly Elliptical Orbit (Leon Russell Records) Oklahoma native who's recorded with the Monkees, Crazy Horse, and Chicago
Imperial Teen - On (Merge) featuring Roddy Bottum of Faith No More and Lyna Perko of Sister Double Happiness
Teddy Jack - Teddy Jack (Leon Russell Records) debut from Mary McCreary and Russell's son
Medeski Martin & Wood - Uninvisible (Blue Note)
Ministry - Sphinctour (Sanctuary) DVD/VHS format of the band's new live album
The Moody Blues - Seventh Sojourn (DTS Entertainment) 5.1-channel-digital-sound re-issue of this classic from 1972
Motorhead - Hammered (Metal-Is/Sanctuary) featuring a spoken-word track from wrestler Triple H and his WWF theme song "The Game"
Oxbow - An Evil Heat (Neurot) featuring guest Jarboe of The Swans
Pitchshifter - PSI (Sanctuary) machine-driven disorder
Pretty Girls Make Graves - Is It Broken Doctor? (Lookout) featuring guest Derek Fudesco of the Murder City Devils
The Queers - Pleasant Screams (Lookout) featuring guests Dan Vapid from Screeching Weasel, Matt Drashl of Teen Idols, and Gretchen from the Smears
Leon Russell - Moonlight & Love Songs (Leon Russell Records) standards such as "As Time Goes By," "My Funny Valentine," and "Round Midnight" with the Nashville Symphony, Edgar Winter, Bruce Hornsby, and Pat McDonald
Rusted Root - Welcome to My Party (Mercury) their fourth studio album
Simon & Milo - Ready Ready Set Go (Hollywood) animated pop rock from Canada featuring the number-one MTV2 hit "Sucks to Be You"
Soulive - Turn It Out (Velour Recordings/Red Ink) this jazz funk favorite of Dave Matthews features guests John Scofield, Amel Larrieux, and Black Thought of the Roots
Sparta - Austere (Dreamworks) new EP from these former At the Drive-In members
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Plastic Fang (Matador) featuring guests Dr. John and Bernie Worrell, also available in two different limited-edition CD packages
Superchunk - "Art Class (Song for Yayoi Kusama)" (Merge) enhanced CD single featuring an acoustic version, new tracks, and live video
Ty Tabor - Safety (Metal Blade) new solo album from the King's X monster guitarist
Templars - Reconquista 1994-1998 (GMM) hard to find street classics from these Oi! hooligan's Acre Records years
Ten Years After - The Anthology: 1967-1971 (Hip-O) two-CD set featuring their Woodstock performance of "I'm Going Home"
various artists - Digital Empire: Studio Wars (Brooklyn Music) a cuttin' crew throwdown, with top-shelf electronic producers such as Frankie Bones, Paul Birken, Slumlord, and Woody McBride flipping on each other's work
various artists - Victory Style FIVE (Victory) live and rare tracks from Thursday, Ringworm, Taking Back Sunday, Integrity, Voodoo Glow Skulls, and more
various artists - Ska All Mighty (Heartbeat) 19-track collection of horn-driven instrumentals culled from the classic Treasure Island label
Vital Information - Show 'em Where You Live (Tone Center) the 10th album from this collective of drummer Steve Smith, guitarist Frank Gambale, bassist Baron Browne, and keyboardist Tom Coster
Wikid - Something Wikid This Way Comes (Arista)
Neil Young - Are You Passionate? (Reprise) featuring the single "Let's Roll"
Young Bird & Northern Cree - Double Platinum (Canyon) two of pow-wow's most popular groups recorded live at the Ermine Skin Band gathering
· Jeff Tweedy of Wilco has recorded all new music for the soundtrack of Ethan Hawke's directorial debut, the upcoming Chelsea Walls. The soundtrack is due later this month on the Rykodisc label and promises instrumental touches reminiscent of Ry Cooder's film work and Neil Young's Dead Man backdrop. One non-Tweedy track stands out on the film's set: a cover of John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" by jazz vocal legend Jimmy Scott.
· Speaking of covers, this Tuesday brings an intriguing head-on collision of possibilities when 13 classic pop songs are performed by the 10 British choristers known as Gregorian. Some of the "I've got to hear this" selections they've worked out in the Gregorian-chant style include U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking for," Ultravox's "Vienna," Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters," R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion," and Dire Straits' "Brothers in Arms." Look for this "uplifting" release on the highbrow Decca Records label.
· This Tuesday also brings All Tomorrow's Parties 2.0, a collection of tracks from some of indie-rock royalty in conjunction with their appearances at this month's All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Sussex, England. Hosted this time by Shellac, the disc features previously unreleased gems from Bonnie Prince Billy, Rachel's, and Threnody Ensemble, as well as other selections from Arcwelder, The Fall, Mission of Burma, Shipping News, and the hosts themselves. The festival has been previously hosted and cultivated by Tortoise and Sonic Youth.
Television Alert:
This Sunday's episode of The Simpsons promises special guest Phish performing their "Run Like an Antelope"; The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Alanis Morissette on Thursday, Goo Goo Dolls on Friday, and Shawn Colvin on Monday; The Late Show with David Letterman hosts a rare appearance by Patti Smith this evening; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn features John Mayer on Thursday overnight, and the explosive And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead on Friday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly shares the easy chair with Fat Joe on Monday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Jimmy Eat World.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, April 9:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
764-HERO - Nobody Knows This Is Everywhere (Tiger Style)
Ali - Heavy Starch (Universal) new from the St. Lunatics member
Angelic Upstarts - Bootlegs, Live & Rarities (Cleopatra) 29 tracks over two CDs
Azure Ray - Burn & Shiver (Warm Electronic)
Badly Drawn Boy - About a Boy (XL Recordings/Beggars Banquet) music from the film
The Baldwin Brothers - Cooking with Lasers (TVT) featuring guest Miho Hatori of Cibo Matto and Angie Hart of Frente!
Big Country - Live in Cologne (Cleopatra) featuring the hits "Fields of Fire" and "Look Away"
Brute - Co-Bait (Widespread/Sanctuary) sophomore release from this teaming of Widespread Panic and Vic Chesnutt
The Dishes - 1-2 (No. 89 Records) all-girl ruff-and-ready rockers from Chicago featuring guitarist/vocalist Sarah Staskauskas
Steve Earle - Sidetracks (Artemis) 14-track collection of rarities, soundtrack contributions, and covers including Little Feat's "Willin'," The Flying Burrito Brothers' "My Uncle," and Jimmy Cliff's "Johnny Too Bad"
Face to Face - How to Ruin Everything (Vagrant)
Goo Goo Dolls - Gutterflower (Warner Bros)
David Greenburger - Duplex Planet Radio Hour (Carrot Top) two-CD collection of two one-hour performances featuring NRBQ guitarist Terry Adams, recorded live at NYC's St. Ann's in 1994
Matt Harris - Slightly Elliptical Orbit (Leon Russell Records) Oklahoma native who's recorded with the Monkees, Crazy Horse, and Chicago
Imperial Teen - On (Merge) featuring Roddy Bottum of Faith No More and Lyna Perko of Sister Double Happiness
Teddy Jack - Teddy Jack (Leon Russell Records) debut from Mary McCreary and Russell's son
Medeski Martin & Wood - Uninvisible (Blue Note)
Ministry - Sphinctour (Sanctuary) DVD/VHS format of the band's new live album
The Moody Blues - Seventh Sojourn (DTS Entertainment) 5.1-channel-digital-sound re-issue of this classic from 1972
Motorhead - Hammered (Metal-Is/Sanctuary) featuring a spoken-word track from wrestler Triple H and his WWF theme song "The Game"
Oxbow - An Evil Heat (Neurot) featuring guest Jarboe of The Swans
Pitchshifter - PSI (Sanctuary) machine-driven disorder
Pretty Girls Make Graves - Is It Broken Doctor? (Lookout) featuring guest Derek Fudesco of the Murder City Devils
The Queers - Pleasant Screams (Lookout) featuring guests Dan Vapid from Screeching Weasel, Matt Drashl of Teen Idols, and Gretchen from the Smears
Leon Russell - Moonlight & Love Songs (Leon Russell Records) standards such as "As Time Goes By," "My Funny Valentine," and "Round Midnight" with the Nashville Symphony, Edgar Winter, Bruce Hornsby, and Pat McDonald
Rusted Root - Welcome to My Party (Mercury) their fourth studio album
Simon & Milo - Ready Ready Set Go (Hollywood) animated pop rock from Canada featuring the number-one MTV2 hit "Sucks to Be You"
Soulive - Turn It Out (Velour Recordings/Red Ink) this jazz funk favorite of Dave Matthews features guests John Scofield, Amel Larrieux, and Black Thought of the Roots
Sparta - Austere (Dreamworks) new EP from these former At the Drive-In members
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Plastic Fang (Matador) featuring guests Dr. John and Bernie Worrell, also available in two different limited-edition CD packages
Superchunk - "Art Class (Song for Yayoi Kusama)" (Merge) enhanced CD single featuring an acoustic version, new tracks, and live video
Ty Tabor - Safety (Metal Blade) new solo album from the King's X monster guitarist
Templars - Reconquista 1994-1998 (GMM) hard to find street classics from these Oi! hooligan's Acre Records years
Ten Years After - The Anthology: 1967-1971 (Hip-O) two-CD set featuring their Woodstock performance of "I'm Going Home"
various artists - Digital Empire: Studio Wars (Brooklyn Music) a cuttin' crew throwdown, with top-shelf electronic producers such as Frankie Bones, Paul Birken, Slumlord, and Woody McBride flipping on each other's work
various artists - Victory Style FIVE (Victory) live and rare tracks from Thursday, Ringworm, Taking Back Sunday, Integrity, Voodoo Glow Skulls, and more
various artists - Ska All Mighty (Heartbeat) 19-track collection of horn-driven instrumentals culled from the classic Treasure Island label
Vital Information - Show 'em Where You Live (Tone Center) the 10th album from this collective of drummer Steve Smith, guitarist Frank Gambale, bassist Baron Browne, and keyboardist Tom Coster
Wikid - Something Wikid This Way Comes (Arista)
Neil Young - Are You Passionate? (Reprise) featuring the single "Let's Roll"
Young Bird & Northern Cree - Double Platinum (Canyon) two of pow-wow's most popular groups recorded live at the Ermine Skin Band gathering
