· Another highly recommended new release due this coming Tuesday is a blistering CD re-issue of Anarchy in Paris!, as musical man clashed with a new generation of machines under the nervous energy of 1977 punk. As one of the first artists released on the seminal Rough Trade Records label, France's Metal Urbain never reached overground status, perhaps due to the language barrier, but the band's electro-punk of drum machines and ferocious fuzz guitars simmered as a pioneer in its own Euro sound lab, with Chrome and Suicide conducting similar experiments here in the states. Undoubtedly an influence on Big Black and The Jesus & Mary Chain, this stuff is the real deal, bristling with sinewy muscle and propaganda shout-outs. The Carpark Records label has more Metal Urbain releases scheduled this year, coinciding with the band's reunion and North American tour.
· Royalties to "Every Breath You Take" earn songwriter Sting about $2,000 a day, and the upcoming soundtrack to Adam Sandler's and Drew Barrymore's 50 First Dates will add more coins to his coffer. Due early next month on the Maverick label, the soundtrack features 1980s classics covered by today's hit-makers, such as UB40's interpretation of The Police creeper. Other treatments include Ziggy Marley's behind-the-wheel spin of The Cars' "Drive," the Black Eyed Peas' take on Spandau Ballet's "True," Jason Mraz's solo effort of Modern English's "I'll Melt with You," and The Outfield's "Your Love" as a duet from Wyclef Jean and Eve.
Television Alert:
The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Howie Day this evening and Al Green on Monday; The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Joe Cocker this evening; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features the return of The Candy Butchers on Tuesday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn boasts Death Cab for Cutie Monday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is 50 Cent.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, January 20:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Animal Collective - Here Comes the Indian (Paw Tracks)
Azure Ray - "New Resolution" (Saddle Creek) enhanced CD single
Belle & Sebastian - Fans Only (Matador) DVD release with 75 songs and tons of goodies
Bevel - Down the Puppet String, Marionettes (Jagjaguwar) CD EP
Black Keys - "The Moan" (Alive!) four-track CD EP featuring covers of The Stooges' "No Fun" and Richard Berry's "Have Love, Will Travel"
Books Lie - Hall of Fame Fire (Level Plane)
Boyskout - School of Etiquette (Alive!)
Califone - Heron King Blues (Thrill Jockey)
Camera Obscura - Underachievers Please Try Harder (Merge)
Candy Butchers - Hang on Mike (RPM/Columbia)
Edie Carey - When I Was Made (Accidental Poet)
Michael Cavallaro - 66 Thousand Miles Per Hour #0 Color Special (Chunksahh) new CD and comic book from the former Zero Zero and Sticks & Stones guitarist
Clones - Need a Wave (Dirtnap) new from Jeffie Pop of New Town Animals
Crispy Ambulance - The Powder Blind Dream (Darla)
The Dexateens - The Dexateens (Estrus)
Dexter Freebish - Tripped into Divine (Sixthman) sophomore album featuring the track "Ghosts"
Dub Narcotic - Degenerate Introduction (K Records)
Evaporators - Ripple Rock (Alternative Tentacles) fronted by Nardwuar the Human Serviette, with bonus interviews with Jello Biafra and Dan Quayle
Sally Fingerett - Woman's Gotta Do Her Thing (Shanachie) new solo project from this Bitchin' Babe
Heads vs. Breakers - Apathy Is the New Black (New Day Rising) new hardcore
Joe Jackson - 25th Anniversary Live (Koch)
King Cobra - King Cobra (Troubleman) new from bassist Tara Jane O'Neil of Rodan and The Sonora Pine
The Lost Patrol - Songs About Running Away (Epitaph) featuring Dennis Lyxzen of the Refused
Mekons - Punk Rock (Touch & Go) recorded on return from the group's 25th anniversary tour
Jessy Moss - Street Knuckles (DreamWorks)
New End Original - Lukewarm (Jade Tree)
One From the Heart - original motion picture soundtrack (Columbia Legacy) gorgeous music from Tom Waits and Crystal Gayle, now expanded to two CDs
Oneida - Secret Wars (Jagjaguwar)
Dizzee Rascal - Boy in da Corner (XL/Matador)
Jenny Scheinman - Shalagaster (Tzadik) violinist known for her collaborations with Bill Laswell
Sigmatropic - Sixteen Haiku & Other Stories (Thirsty Ear) long-anticipated project that features guest vocalists such as Robert Wyatt, Mark Eitzel, Lee Ranaldo, Cat Power, and Alejandro Escovedo breathing the words of Greek poet and Nobel laureate George Seferis
Sister Hazel - A Life in the Day (Sixthman) DVD documentary of life on the road and on the water, with the band's annual Concert Cruise on the Rock Boat
Sister Hazel - Live LIVE! (Sixthman) two-CD concert collection
Smogtown - All Wiped Out (TKO) collection of final recording sessions
The Special Goodness - Land Sea Air (Epitaph) re-issue of this excellent self-released 2003 project from Pat Wilson of Weezer and Atom Willard of Rocket from the Crypt, now re-mixed in a new package with a new song order and two bonus videos
Matthew Sweet - Kimi Ga Suki (Cutting Edge) domestic release of this Japanese CD
Toys That Kill - "Flys" (Asian Man) seven-inch and CD single
TV on the Radio - Young Liars (Touch & Go) special vinyl pressing of this fantastic new album
various artists - Keep Left Vol. 1 (Ace Fu) benefit CD supporting David Barsamian's Alternative Radio program, with contributions from Negativland, Built to Spill, Pere Ubu, and Friends of Dean Martinez
Volcano, I'm Excited - Future (Polyvinyl)
Where Eagles Dare - To Come from Nowhere (New Day Rising)