01
Apr
2003
· Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer - the trio that conceived and delivered the hysterically funny Spinal Tap experience - have done it again, this time spoofing the 1960s folk scene as "The Folksmen, reunited for the memorial concert of a recently deceased artist manager.
" This Tuesday the DMZ/Columbia Records label releases the soundtrack to the new film, A Mighty Wind, which also stars Eugene Levy and Parker Posey. Look for it to open in theaters in two weeks. The humorists handle the singing chores and play many of the instruments, and a highlight of the disc is the promised "folkie" cover of the Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up."
· I don't know which is the strangest Elvis Presley news item this week, daughter Lisa Marie Presley's debut this Tuesday on the Capitol Records label, or the release this month of Tolkein-inspired rock that tips its hat to the King. Lisa Marie certainly has had the life worthy of lyric introspection, and what's been revealed so far shows some unexpected guts. Produced by Eric Rosse (best known for his soundcraft on Tori Amos' first two albums) and featuring special guest Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, this one is certainly intriguing. On the even weirder side is the announced release of Black Elf Speaks by - dig this - Elvish Presley, due later this month on the Bulb Records imprint. Half band and half theater troupe, this must-see concept features Hobbit rock in full costume in a combination of storytelling and rock opera. ... This Tuesday Tori Amos' "A Sorta Fairytale," one of the most imaginative videos I've seen in a long time, is released in a special DVD with bonus biography and making-of-the-video footage. This first video from her Scarlet's Walk album also stars Academy Award winner Adrien Brody, shown only as a head attached to an arm and hand, perfectly matched to Amos' head upon only a foot.
· The Beatles are saluted in cover fashion this week, as the RPH Productions label releases From a Window: Lost Songs of Lennon & McCartney. By selecting songs that the duo wrote specifically for other artists, such as Billy J. Kramer, Mary Hopkin, Peter & Gordon, and P.J. Proby, the 17 tracks open up a fresh world of re-interpretation. Highlights include Graham Parker's take on the title track and "Tip of My Tongue," Kate Pierson of the B-52's on "Nobody I Know," and Johnny Society with Cheap Trick's Robin Zander on "That Means A Lot."
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes The Wallflowers tonight, and Lucinda Williams on Monday; The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Bo Diddley on Thursday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien revs up The Mooney Suzuki on Tuesday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn features Sum 41 on Thursday overnight, Breaking Benjamin on Monday overnight, and Simple Plan on Tuesday overnight; Jimmy Kimmel Live has Cam'ron this evening overnight and Foo Fighters on Friday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly sits down with Bon Jovi this evening overnight, Fabolus on Thursday overnight, and Chevelle on Friday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Good Charlotte.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, April 8:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Adult - Anxiety Always (Ersatz Audio/Thrill Jockey)
Autechre - Daft 7.30 (Warp) serving as curator for the All Tomorrows Parties festival this month
The Black Keys - Thickfreakness (Fat Possum) two-man band from Akron, Ohio, featuring a cover of Richard Berry's "Have Love Will Travel"
Boomkat - Boomkatalog One (DreamWorks) with lead singer Taryn Manning
Boy Sets Fire - Tomorrow Come Today (Wind Up)
Ward Churchill - Pacifism as Pathology (Alternative Tentacles) political spoken-word CD from the American Indian Movement
The Essex Green - The Long Goodbye (Merge) featuring former members of The Ladybug Transistor and Guppyboy
The Fruit Bats - Mouthfuls (SubPop) with Eric Johnson of Ugly Casanova
Ginuwine - The Senior (Epic) with guests Method Man and Snoop Dogg
Tommy Guerrero - Soul Food Taqueria (Mo Wax) excellent new soundtrack to lost neighborhood wanderings, shuffling through warm, sunny grooves and deliciously sexy hip-hop beats
Eric Heatherly - Sometimes It's Just Your Summer (DreamWorks)
King Britt - Adventures in Lo-Fi (BBE/Rapster) featuring Bahamadia, Cherrywine of Digable Planets, and Pos & Trugoy of De La Soul
Al Kooper & Mike Bloomfield - Fillmore East: The Lost Concert Tapes (Columbia Legacy) with a young Johnny Winter performing B.B. King's "It's My Own Fault"
Lagwagon - Blaze (Fat Wreck) featuring members of Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Adam Levy - Get Your Glow on (Lost Wax) new solo album from the Norah Jones guitarist
Mary Lee's Corvette - 700 Miles (Bar None)
Matchbook Romance - West for Wishing (Epitaph) four-track CD EP from this summer's Vans Warped Tour performers, formerly known as The Getaway
Mouse on Mars - Glam (Thrill Jockey) atmospheric tracks originally composed for a failed motion-picture project
Portastatic - The Summer of the Shark (Merge) with guests Margaret White of Sparklehorse and Janet Weiss of Sleater-Kinney
Lisa Marie Presley - To Whom It May Concern (Capitol) with guest Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins
Rise Against - Revolutions Per Minute (Fat Wreck)
Saga - Marathon (SPV/Steamhammer) still strong after 25 years
Shermen Steadfast - This Battle's for You (Acts 26) from Anchorage, Alaska
Soulive - Soulive (Velour) live album featuring a cover of Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Lenny"
Swirlies - Cats of the Wild (Bubblecore)
various artists - L.A. Shakedown (Acetate) two-CD compilation produced as the official companion to the 3rd Annual Garage/Punk rock festival, featuring Nebula, Nashville Pussy, The Dwarves, Supersuckers, Swingin' Utters, and more
Lizzie West - Holy Road: Freedom Songs (Warner Bros)
The White Stripes - Elephant (Third Man/V2)
Yo La Tengo - Summer Sun (Matador)
· I don't know which is the strangest Elvis Presley news item this week, daughter Lisa Marie Presley's debut this Tuesday on the Capitol Records label, or the release this month of Tolkein-inspired rock that tips its hat to the King. Lisa Marie certainly has had the life worthy of lyric introspection, and what's been revealed so far shows some unexpected guts. Produced by Eric Rosse (best known for his soundcraft on Tori Amos' first two albums) and featuring special guest Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, this one is certainly intriguing. On the even weirder side is the announced release of Black Elf Speaks by - dig this - Elvish Presley, due later this month on the Bulb Records imprint. Half band and half theater troupe, this must-see concept features Hobbit rock in full costume in a combination of storytelling and rock opera. ... This Tuesday Tori Amos' "A Sorta Fairytale," one of the most imaginative videos I've seen in a long time, is released in a special DVD with bonus biography and making-of-the-video footage. This first video from her Scarlet's Walk album also stars Academy Award winner Adrien Brody, shown only as a head attached to an arm and hand, perfectly matched to Amos' head upon only a foot.
· The Beatles are saluted in cover fashion this week, as the RPH Productions label releases From a Window: Lost Songs of Lennon & McCartney. By selecting songs that the duo wrote specifically for other artists, such as Billy J. Kramer, Mary Hopkin, Peter & Gordon, and P.J. Proby, the 17 tracks open up a fresh world of re-interpretation. Highlights include Graham Parker's take on the title track and "Tip of My Tongue," Kate Pierson of the B-52's on "Nobody I Know," and Johnny Society with Cheap Trick's Robin Zander on "That Means A Lot."
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes The Wallflowers tonight, and Lucinda Williams on Monday; The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Bo Diddley on Thursday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien revs up The Mooney Suzuki on Tuesday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn features Sum 41 on Thursday overnight, Breaking Benjamin on Monday overnight, and Simple Plan on Tuesday overnight; Jimmy Kimmel Live has Cam'ron this evening overnight and Foo Fighters on Friday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly sits down with Bon Jovi this evening overnight, Fabolus on Thursday overnight, and Chevelle on Friday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Good Charlotte.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, April 8:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Adult - Anxiety Always (Ersatz Audio/Thrill Jockey)
Autechre - Daft 7.30 (Warp) serving as curator for the All Tomorrows Parties festival this month
The Black Keys - Thickfreakness (Fat Possum) two-man band from Akron, Ohio, featuring a cover of Richard Berry's "Have Love Will Travel"
Boomkat - Boomkatalog One (DreamWorks) with lead singer Taryn Manning
Boy Sets Fire - Tomorrow Come Today (Wind Up)
Ward Churchill - Pacifism as Pathology (Alternative Tentacles) political spoken-word CD from the American Indian Movement
The Essex Green - The Long Goodbye (Merge) featuring former members of The Ladybug Transistor and Guppyboy
The Fruit Bats - Mouthfuls (SubPop) with Eric Johnson of Ugly Casanova
Ginuwine - The Senior (Epic) with guests Method Man and Snoop Dogg
Tommy Guerrero - Soul Food Taqueria (Mo Wax) excellent new soundtrack to lost neighborhood wanderings, shuffling through warm, sunny grooves and deliciously sexy hip-hop beats
Eric Heatherly - Sometimes It's Just Your Summer (DreamWorks)
King Britt - Adventures in Lo-Fi (BBE/Rapster) featuring Bahamadia, Cherrywine of Digable Planets, and Pos & Trugoy of De La Soul
Al Kooper & Mike Bloomfield - Fillmore East: The Lost Concert Tapes (Columbia Legacy) with a young Johnny Winter performing B.B. King's "It's My Own Fault"
Lagwagon - Blaze (Fat Wreck) featuring members of Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Adam Levy - Get Your Glow on (Lost Wax) new solo album from the Norah Jones guitarist
Mary Lee's Corvette - 700 Miles (Bar None)
Matchbook Romance - West for Wishing (Epitaph) four-track CD EP from this summer's Vans Warped Tour performers, formerly known as The Getaway
Mouse on Mars - Glam (Thrill Jockey) atmospheric tracks originally composed for a failed motion-picture project
Portastatic - The Summer of the Shark (Merge) with guests Margaret White of Sparklehorse and Janet Weiss of Sleater-Kinney
Lisa Marie Presley - To Whom It May Concern (Capitol) with guest Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins
Rise Against - Revolutions Per Minute (Fat Wreck)
Saga - Marathon (SPV/Steamhammer) still strong after 25 years
Shermen Steadfast - This Battle's for You (Acts 26) from Anchorage, Alaska
Soulive - Soulive (Velour) live album featuring a cover of Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Lenny"
Swirlies - Cats of the Wild (Bubblecore)
various artists - L.A. Shakedown (Acetate) two-CD compilation produced as the official companion to the 3rd Annual Garage/Punk rock festival, featuring Nebula, Nashville Pussy, The Dwarves, Supersuckers, Swingin' Utters, and more
Lizzie West - Holy Road: Freedom Songs (Warner Bros)
The White Stripes - Elephant (Third Man/V2)
Yo La Tengo - Summer Sun (Matador)
