03
Aug
2004
· Like Leonard Cohen channeling the ghost of Jacob Marley, this Tuesday's release of Bubblegum by the whiskey-throated Mark Lanegan is an early contender for my top 10 of the year. Mesmerizing as the voice of Seattle's Screaming Trees, and as the sorcerer of a handful of haunted solo albums in the 1990s, Lanegan's lonesome pine comes from one who's walked the walk of addiction, with each breath like a sandy step along an endless beach toward redemption, Judgment Day, or whatever comes next.
His signature dark prowl is surrounded by a stable of fine friends - PJ Harvey, Greg Dulli of Afghan Whigs and Twilight Singers, Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, and Dean Ween of Ween. The album's guitar work is a feast from the frets of the best, with Chris Goss of Masters of Reality, Alain Johannes of Eleven, and the double threat of Izzy Stradlin and Duff McKagan from Velvet Revolver and Guns N' Roses. Currently touring Europe, watch for Lanegan and company to play selected dates in the U.S. this fall. Look for Bubblegum on the Beggars Banquet imprint.
· In a related note, Lanegan and Queens of the Stone Age principal Josh Homme show up as guest vocalists on "Need One," from Martina Topley-Bird's new Anything CD, due this Tuesday on Palm Pictures Records. A re-working of last year's UK-only Quixotic CD, Anything is a domestic re-mixing and re-sequencing of that stunning debut, nominated for the treasured Mercury Prize. Can't place her voice? Before Quixotic and Anything, Topley-Bird was featured on four of Tricky's CDs, from his first single, "Aftermath," up through 1998's Angels with Dirty Faces.
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes The Notorious Cherry Bombs this evening; The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Natalie Merchant tonight, Jessica Simpson on Friday, and Jet on Monday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Sahara Hotnights on Friday overnight and NOFX on Tuesday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn boasts Robbie Williams on Thursday overnight, Akon on Friday overnight, and Ying Yang Twins on Monday overnight; Jimmy Kimmel Live presents Lenny Kravitz on Monday overnight and Chingy on Tuesday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Outkast.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, August 10:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
213 - The Hard Way (TVT) featuring Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, and Warren G
Alter Bridge - One Day Remains (Wind-Up) new from the former guitarist, drummer, and bassist of Creed
Ataxia - Automatic Writing (Record Collection) all new from John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, with Joe Lally of Fugazi and Josh Klinghoffer of Bicycle Thief
Blondie - Singles Box (Capitol/EMI) collection of 40 tracks over 14 CD singles
Brand Nubian - Fire in the Hole (Babygrande)
Breaking Pangaea - Cannon to a Whisper (Undecided) new from Fred Mascherino of Taking Back Sunday and Will Noon of Straylight Run
Slim Cessna's Auto Club - Bloudy Tenet, Truth & Peace (Alternative Tentacles) described as a "roots country version of Alice Donut" from Denver
Clouseaux - Lagoon (Dionysus) Latin rhythm exotica sure to put some Tiki in your torch, picked by the Austin Chronicle as the "Best SXSW Showcase"
Code 46 - original motion picture soundtrack (Commotion) score by David Holmes and Stephen Hilton as The Free Association
David Crosby & Graham Nash - Crosby-Nash (Sanctuary) all new two-CD set
Iris DeMent - Lifeline (New West)
Endicott - The Words in Ink Don't Lie (Equal Vision) full-length debut of this aggressive metalcore from upstate New York
Julia Fordham - That's Life (Vanguard)
Jeffrey Foucault - Stripping Cane (Signature Sounds) new from this Wisconsin singer-songwriter with guests Peter Mulvey and electric lap steel guitarist Kevin Barry
Garden State - original motion picture soundtrack (Columbia) featuring music by Nick Drake, The Shins, Iron & Wine, and Colin Hay of Men At Work
A Girl Named Eddy - A Girl Named Eddy (Anti/Epitaph) new from this New Jersey singer-songwriter, dark with a lush Burt Bacharach undertow
Goatsnake - Trampled Under Hoof (Southern Lord) CD EP
The Good Life - Album of the Year (Saddle Creek)
John Dee Graham - The Great Battle (New West) featuring a cover of Neil Young's "Harvest"
Ari Hest - Someone to Tell (Red Ink/Columbia) major-label debut for this acclaimed singer-songwriter who's toured with Jason Mraz, O.A.R., and Maroon 5
Bruce Hornsby - Halcyon Days (Columbia) all new with guests Sting, Elton John, and Eric Clapton
The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Armed Love (American)
The Isley Brothers - Taken to the Next Phase: Reconstructions (Sony Legacy) re-mix album with De La Soul, Mos Def, and Black Eyed Peas
K's Choice - Ten Years of K's Choice: 1993-2003 (Epic)
Courtney Kaiser - In the Garden (Benchmark) debut from the Indiana native who's toured as a singer with John Mellencamp
Lisa Loeb - The Way It Really Is (Rounder)
Charlotte Martin - On Your Shore (RCA) debut album from this pianist/singer-songwriter recently touring with Sondre Lerche, featuring her cover of The Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses"
Richard Marx - My Own Best Enemy (Manhattan/EMI) with guest Keith Urban
Minor Times - Making Enemies (Level Plane) mathcore from Philadelphia
Mischief Invasion - original soundtrack (Liquid 8) fourth in Teckademics' street-racing film series, featuring music from Christian Olde-Wolbers and Raymond Herrera of Fear Factory
Mobb Deep - Amerikaz Nightmare (Violator/Jive) with guests Lil' Jon, Nate Dogg, and Nelly
Teedra Moses - Complex Simplicity (TVT) nicely done R&B with an '80s tip from this New Orleans native
The Muffs - Really Really Happy (Five Foot Two)
Nervous Norvus - Stone Age Woo: The Zorch Sounds of Nervous Norvus (Norton)
Paul Oakenfold - Creamfields (Thrive) two-CD set featuring his re-mix of U2's "Beautiful Day" and a new collaboration with Perry Farrell
Iggy Pop - A Million in Prizes (Virgin) anthology
Rise Against - Siren Song of the Counter-Culture (DreamWorks)
Unbunny - Snow Tires (Hidden Agenda)
Velvet Crush - Stereo Blues (Action Musik) all new
The Wailin' Jennys - 40 Days (Red House)
The Who - Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 (Eagle Vision) DVD release restored and re-mastered under the supervision of Pete Townshend
various artists - Future Soundtrack for America (Barsuk) benefit for MoveOn.org, with Jimmy Eat World's cover of Guided by Voices' "Game of Pricks," and other contributions from Tom Waits, R.E.M., Bright Eyes, David Byrne, and Death Cab for Cutie
various artists - Is It Rolling, Bob? (RAS) a reggae tribute to Bob Dylan, with contributions by The Mighty Diamonds, Sly & Robbie, Gregory Isaacs, and Toots Hibbert
various artists - Public Display of Affection: The Sound of Independent Radio (Nettwerk) like a hand-crafted mix tape, this cool project brings together three must-hear picks each from each of four nationally influential public-radio program directors, turning you on to Ruby Vileos, The Sharp Things, Eleni Mandell, Cowboy Curtis, and more
various artists - Rock Against Bush: Volume 2 (Fat Wreck) featuring rare and previously unreleased tracks from Green Day, Foo Fighters, The Dwarves, Yellowcard, Dropkick Murphys, and more
various artists - Touch My Heart: A Tribute to Johnny Paycheck (Sugar Hill) with Neko Case, Al Anderson of NRBQ, Buck Owens, Marshall Crenshaw, and more
· In a related note, Lanegan and Queens of the Stone Age principal Josh Homme show up as guest vocalists on "Need One," from Martina Topley-Bird's new Anything CD, due this Tuesday on Palm Pictures Records. A re-working of last year's UK-only Quixotic CD, Anything is a domestic re-mixing and re-sequencing of that stunning debut, nominated for the treasured Mercury Prize. Can't place her voice? Before Quixotic and Anything, Topley-Bird was featured on four of Tricky's CDs, from his first single, "Aftermath," up through 1998's Angels with Dirty Faces.
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes The Notorious Cherry Bombs this evening; The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Natalie Merchant tonight, Jessica Simpson on Friday, and Jet on Monday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Sahara Hotnights on Friday overnight and NOFX on Tuesday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn boasts Robbie Williams on Thursday overnight, Akon on Friday overnight, and Ying Yang Twins on Monday overnight; Jimmy Kimmel Live presents Lenny Kravitz on Monday overnight and Chingy on Tuesday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Outkast.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, August 10:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
213 - The Hard Way (TVT) featuring Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, and Warren G
Alter Bridge - One Day Remains (Wind-Up) new from the former guitarist, drummer, and bassist of Creed
Ataxia - Automatic Writing (Record Collection) all new from John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, with Joe Lally of Fugazi and Josh Klinghoffer of Bicycle Thief
Blondie - Singles Box (Capitol/EMI) collection of 40 tracks over 14 CD singles
Brand Nubian - Fire in the Hole (Babygrande)
Breaking Pangaea - Cannon to a Whisper (Undecided) new from Fred Mascherino of Taking Back Sunday and Will Noon of Straylight Run
Slim Cessna's Auto Club - Bloudy Tenet, Truth & Peace (Alternative Tentacles) described as a "roots country version of Alice Donut" from Denver
Clouseaux - Lagoon (Dionysus) Latin rhythm exotica sure to put some Tiki in your torch, picked by the Austin Chronicle as the "Best SXSW Showcase"
Code 46 - original motion picture soundtrack (Commotion) score by David Holmes and Stephen Hilton as The Free Association
David Crosby & Graham Nash - Crosby-Nash (Sanctuary) all new two-CD set
Iris DeMent - Lifeline (New West)
Endicott - The Words in Ink Don't Lie (Equal Vision) full-length debut of this aggressive metalcore from upstate New York
Julia Fordham - That's Life (Vanguard)
Jeffrey Foucault - Stripping Cane (Signature Sounds) new from this Wisconsin singer-songwriter with guests Peter Mulvey and electric lap steel guitarist Kevin Barry
Garden State - original motion picture soundtrack (Columbia) featuring music by Nick Drake, The Shins, Iron & Wine, and Colin Hay of Men At Work
A Girl Named Eddy - A Girl Named Eddy (Anti/Epitaph) new from this New Jersey singer-songwriter, dark with a lush Burt Bacharach undertow
Goatsnake - Trampled Under Hoof (Southern Lord) CD EP
The Good Life - Album of the Year (Saddle Creek)
John Dee Graham - The Great Battle (New West) featuring a cover of Neil Young's "Harvest"
Ari Hest - Someone to Tell (Red Ink/Columbia) major-label debut for this acclaimed singer-songwriter who's toured with Jason Mraz, O.A.R., and Maroon 5
Bruce Hornsby - Halcyon Days (Columbia) all new with guests Sting, Elton John, and Eric Clapton
The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Armed Love (American)
The Isley Brothers - Taken to the Next Phase: Reconstructions (Sony Legacy) re-mix album with De La Soul, Mos Def, and Black Eyed Peas
K's Choice - Ten Years of K's Choice: 1993-2003 (Epic)
Courtney Kaiser - In the Garden (Benchmark) debut from the Indiana native who's toured as a singer with John Mellencamp
Lisa Loeb - The Way It Really Is (Rounder)
Charlotte Martin - On Your Shore (RCA) debut album from this pianist/singer-songwriter recently touring with Sondre Lerche, featuring her cover of The Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses"
Richard Marx - My Own Best Enemy (Manhattan/EMI) with guest Keith Urban
Minor Times - Making Enemies (Level Plane) mathcore from Philadelphia
Mischief Invasion - original soundtrack (Liquid 8) fourth in Teckademics' street-racing film series, featuring music from Christian Olde-Wolbers and Raymond Herrera of Fear Factory
Mobb Deep - Amerikaz Nightmare (Violator/Jive) with guests Lil' Jon, Nate Dogg, and Nelly
Teedra Moses - Complex Simplicity (TVT) nicely done R&B with an '80s tip from this New Orleans native
The Muffs - Really Really Happy (Five Foot Two)
Nervous Norvus - Stone Age Woo: The Zorch Sounds of Nervous Norvus (Norton)
Paul Oakenfold - Creamfields (Thrive) two-CD set featuring his re-mix of U2's "Beautiful Day" and a new collaboration with Perry Farrell
Iggy Pop - A Million in Prizes (Virgin) anthology
Rise Against - Siren Song of the Counter-Culture (DreamWorks)
Unbunny - Snow Tires (Hidden Agenda)
Velvet Crush - Stereo Blues (Action Musik) all new
The Wailin' Jennys - 40 Days (Red House)
The Who - Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 (Eagle Vision) DVD release restored and re-mastered under the supervision of Pete Townshend
various artists - Future Soundtrack for America (Barsuk) benefit for MoveOn.org, with Jimmy Eat World's cover of Guided by Voices' "Game of Pricks," and other contributions from Tom Waits, R.E.M., Bright Eyes, David Byrne, and Death Cab for Cutie
various artists - Is It Rolling, Bob? (RAS) a reggae tribute to Bob Dylan, with contributions by The Mighty Diamonds, Sly & Robbie, Gregory Isaacs, and Toots Hibbert
various artists - Public Display of Affection: The Sound of Independent Radio (Nettwerk) like a hand-crafted mix tape, this cool project brings together three must-hear picks each from each of four nationally influential public-radio program directors, turning you on to Ruby Vileos, The Sharp Things, Eleni Mandell, Cowboy Curtis, and more
various artists - Rock Against Bush: Volume 2 (Fat Wreck) featuring rare and previously unreleased tracks from Green Day, Foo Fighters, The Dwarves, Yellowcard, Dropkick Murphys, and more
various artists - Touch My Heart: A Tribute to Johnny Paycheck (Sugar Hill) with Neko Case, Al Anderson of NRBQ, Buck Owens, Marshall Crenshaw, and more
