Following up on a collection of kids' music that won't drive adults bonkers, the manufacturer of exceptional children's bedroom furniture, The Land of Nod, has released a second CD to entertain the little one in all of us. For the XTC fan, the 14-track disc features two lost songs by Andy Partridge, "Don't Let Us Bug Ya" and "Everything'll Be Alright," originally written in 1996 when he thought he had sealed the gig to score the film adaptation of James & the Giant Peach. Other tickles for your ears come from Cake, which turns in a zippy take on the classic ditty "Mahna Mahna" (sound it out; you'll recognize it!) and the Mr. T Experience, getting its learn on with "Unpack Your Adjectives."
San Francisco's The Residents are back with new outsider music and a new twist, as the River of Crime project reaches back to the days of "true crime" dramatic broadcasts from the golden age of radio. Last week the band debuted the first "episode" through the Cordless digital label, with "The Kid Who Collected Crime" available now only as a digital download. Four more episodes will follow, with part two, "Gator Hater," due next week.
The volunteer-staffed radio station of Tulane University in New Orleans, WTUL, has just released a terrific two-CD sampler of hometown musicians and generous big-name acts that have donated rare tracks. This benefit project, Songs From the Basement Volume 4, helps supplement the donations and other meager funds the station survives on. Highlights over the 33 tracks include a "chrome-honey lysergic mold mix" of "The Lighter Side of Terrorism" by Jello Biafra & the Melvins, a live recording of the Drive-by Truckers' "The Living Bubba," a demo from Vashti Bunyan, and an acoustic take on "Ghosts of New Orleans" by Ballboy.
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes John Fogerty this evening and the return of Poison on Friday; The Late Show with David Letterman slips on My Morning Jacket on Thursday, Wolfmother on Friday, Sonic Youth on Monday, and Cat Power on Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien boasts Van Hunt this evening overnight, Coldplay on Monday overnight, and Be Your Own Pet on Tuesday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly hosts Juliette & the Licks this evening overnight, Morningwood on Thursday overnight, and Fiona Apple on Tuesday overnight.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, June 13:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change.
The Acacia Strain - The Dead Walk (Prosthetic) on tour now with Soilent Green
The Alarm - Under Attack (Eleven Thirty/EMI) Mike Peters is back after fighting leukemia, joined in this new incarnation of the band by members of Gene Loves Jezebel, Mission UK, and Stiff Little Fingers
Au Pairs - Stepping Out of Line: The Anthology (Castle) two-CD set with bonus BBC and demo sessio
Boards of Canada - Trans Canada Highway (Warp) new CD and 12-inch EP
The Break-Up - original motion picture soundtrack (Hip-O) featuring a cover of Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Dwight Yoakam
Regina Carter - I'll Be Seeing You: A Sentimental Journey (Verve) collection of standards including "Little Brown Jug" and "A-Tisket, A-Tasket"
Andy Chase - Life in the Shade (Unfiltered) second solo album from the Ivy member, with guests Eric Matthews, James Iha of Smashing Pumpkins, Jody Porter of Fountains of Wayne, and Greg Pliska of Hem
The CodeTalkers - Now (Harmonized) new from Colonel Bruce Hampton and Bobby Lee Rodgers
The John Cowen Band - New Tattoo (Pinecastle) formerly of the New Grass Revival; this new CD features guests Patty Griffin and Darrell Scott
Elan - Together as One (Kingsbury Studios) debut release from this boutique label run by Tony Kanal of No Doubt, featuring a duet with Gwen Stefani on "All Nighter"
Every Time I Die - Gutter Phenomenon (Ferret) deluxe-edition reissue of this album from last year, featuring a bonus DVD and hot-pink shrink-wrap
Fatboy Slim - "That Old Pair of Jeans" (Astralwerks) CD and 12-inch single
First Nation - First Nation (Paw Tracks) just off tour with Animal Collective, this loose and loopy psychedelic trio of young ladies from New York City gets under my skin
Futureheads - News & Tributes (Vagrant/Star Time) performing this summer at Chicago's Pitchfork Festival
The Handsome Family - Last Days of Wonder (Carrot Top) fascinating new album from the married duo of Brett and Rennie Sparks, mixing vintage instruments and laptop technology, with guests David Coulter on saw and Stephen Dorocke on pedal steel guitar
Hot Chip - The Warning (DFA/Astralwerks) CD or double-LP set, featuring the single "And I Was a Boy from School"
The Husbands - There's Nothing I'd Like to See More Than to See You Dead (Swami) wild all-girl trio from San Francisco, with guests from The Mummies and The Sultans
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts - Sinner (Blackheart) with guest Kathleen Hanna of Le Tigre and a cover of The Replacements' "Androgynous"
Billy Joel - 12 Gardens Live (Columbia) 30 hits over two CDs, all recorded over his 12-night sold-out stand at Madison Square Garden
Lithops - Queries (Sonig) collected solo work from Jan St. Werner of Mouse on Mars
Mardo - The New Gun (House of Restitution) glorious return of the brothers' over-the-top party rock, featuring a slippery cover of The Temptations' "Papa Was a Rolling Stone"
Thurston Moore - Psychic Hearts (Goofin') expanded two-LP set reissue from 1995
Priestess - Hello Master (RCA) just off tour with Dinosaur Jr.
The Replacements - Bastards of Young: The Best of (Rhino/Warner Bros) 20-track anthology with two new recordings, "Message to the Boys" and "Pool & Dive"
Smokey Robinson - Timeless Love (New Door/Universal) collection of standards with "I've Got You Under My Skin" and "Tea for Two"
Shilts - HeadBoppin (Artizen) new from Paul Weimar, saxophonist and frontman of Down to the Bone
Siouxsie & the Banshees - The Scream, Join Hands, Kaleidoscope, and Juju (Universal) import-only expanded CD reissues from 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1981
Small Sins - Small Sins (Astralwerks) new from Thomas D'Arcy of The Ladies & Gentlemen
Smog - "Rock Bottom Riser" (Drag City) CD EP featuring two videos
Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped (Geffen) also available in an LP vinyl version with exclusive cover art by Christopher Wool
Spank Rock - Yoyoyoyoyo Instrumentals (Big Dada) special two-LP edition for mix-masters and cut chemists
Strays Don't Sleep - Strays Don't Sleep (Hybrid) CD/DVD package featuring nine short films inspired by the music
Submarine Races - Submarine Races (In the Red) new from former Ponys guitarist Ian Adams
Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend (Volcano Legacy) expanded reissue from 1991 with the bonus "Goodfriend" CD, featuring demos and covers of John Lennon's "Isolation" and Neil Young's "Cortez the Killer"
Waking Ashland - Telescope (Immortal) seven-track CD EP
Neil Young - Heart of Gold (Paramount Home Video) DVD of Jonathan Demme's live documentary, expanded with rehearsal footage, interviews, and exclusive songs
Zao - The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here (Ferret) also available in a limited-edition package featuring a bonus DVD documentary of the making of the album with producer Steve Albini
