No Longer Sleeping

In other Australian music news, Luke Steele, front man of the group the Sleepy Jackson has been busy of late. But, there is no new Sleepy Jackson record in the works. Luke has been doing a number of solo shows lately in Australia. The tour was called the Luke Steele Roadshow.

In addition, at least two new projects are in the works. The first of those has come to fruition. It is a collaboration he did with the electronic outfit Pnau that is called Empire of the Sun. The album was released last month in Australia and there is also a CD single that was released that has some remixes of the song 'Walking on a Dream' that were done by Van She Tech, Sam La More and Hong Kong Blondes. The artwork of both the single and the album look like something out of the sci-fi movie Dune, even though the name of the group was taken from the 1984 novel by J. G. Ballard. And apparently the video for the song was shot in Shanghai, China.

The other project is a record Luke is doing with Daniel Johns, who is the frontman for the group Silverchair. And if that wasn't enough, apprently there is a new song up on the Sleepy Jackson's MySpace called 'Beat Street' that has not been previously issued on anything.

The Man in a Cave

Aussie singer/songwriter Stephen Cummings, who was the former leader of the band the Sports, has put out a very limited edition collection of b-sides, rarities, and live tracks called That's My Cave Man. The disc is only available through his MySpace page and only a few copies are left. Tracks include;

1. It's All Over Now Baby Blue
   
2. Sometimes (acoustic version)
   
3. Cosmic Wheels (live)
   
4. Nothing's Too much (live)
   
5. She Sees Herself In Dreams
   
6. This Is How A New Life Can Open Up For You
   
7. Isn't It A Pity? (live)
   
8. I Want You To Want Me (alternate version)
   
9. The Keys To My Heart (live)
   
10. Do It (live)
    
11. Beware Of Darkness (live)
    
12. From St Kilda To Kings Cross (with Chris Abrahams)
    
13. When Everyone's Left
    
14. I'm Having An Anxiety Attack
    
15. End Of Conversation (with Chris Abrahams)
    
16. Some Prayers Are Answered (live)
    
17. Undecided (live with full band)
    

You can also pick up his latest album Happiest Man Alive there as well as his two hard to find novels; Wonderboy (1996) and Stay Away From Lightning Girl (1999).

Best Buy Monopoly?

For some time now some of the big box retailers have been able to get exclusive bonus tracks for CD releases and occasionally exlusive releases. But, lately it seems that Best Buy has been ramping up their exlusive releases. Case in point, the new Police CD/DVD set. Best Buy supported the reunion tour last year and this fall they are the exclusive distributor in the U.S. for the 2DVD/2CD live release called Certifiable. One DVD and the 2CDs will contain the Buenos Aires, Argentina show from their reuinion tour. And the second DVD will contain a 50 minute feature called "Better than therapy" which documents the reunion. That isn't the only upcoming exlusive for Best Buy. They will also be the sole US distributor for the GNR release of Chinese Democracy. And they've also put out exlusive DVDs for Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Poison, and a documentary on the Beatles/Cirque du Soleil production of Love. So, while the record industry continues to complain about declining sales, it seems odd that they are giving Best Buy exlusive distribution for music releases while other indie stores and music outlets are being ignored completely for some new releases. Oh wait, I guess they all aren't being ignored, Wal-Mart did get the exclusive release of the new AC/DC album.

Acoustic Interlude

It's been a pretty busy year for Jayhawks front man Gary Louris. In February, he released his first solo record Vagabonds. And he has also finished a new record with former bandmate Mark Olson that was to be released this fall (which now appears to be pushed back until January of next year). But those waiting for the new release can get their Louris fix by picking up a new CD EP called Acoustic Vagabonds that was released in October and contains, as you'd expect, stripped down acoustic versions of six songs from the Vagabonds record. Apparently this EP was originally released as a promotional CD that was sent to record stores and radio stations. It was also available as a limited bonus disc for those buying the full length disc from certain indie record store retailers. Now it has been officially released and can be picked up from all the usual music shops (online or otherwise). The tracks on the disc are as follows;

1. True Blue
   
2. Omaha Nights
   
3. To Die a Happy Man
   
4. She Only Calls Me on Sundays
   
5. We'll Get By
   
6. Vagabonds
   

In other Louris related news, Rhino recently released a collection of Golden Smog's material called Stay Golden Smog: The Best of Golden Smog that contains two tracks that were never released before; an alternate version of "Until You Came Along" and a cover of Brian Wilson's "Love and Mercy" that appeared on his self titled 1988 album.

T Minus 5

The countdown has begun. The Minus 5 will be releasing a new album in the upcoming year. As a precursor, they putting out a 12" vinyl EP called Sad Hasselhoff which will contain songs that will not be on the full length record. The 12" will only be available at select indie record stores as well as the Yep Roc online store. Tracks on the record include;

1. The Lurking Barrister
   
2. Rage On Regardless
   
3. Burned
   
4. Sad Hasselhoff vs. The Panopticon
   
5. Favorite Mess
   
6. Scott Walker's Fault
   

New World Order

Following last year's 2CD reissues of the Joy Division catalog, Rhino Records is set to release 2CD Collectors Editions of the first five New Order records next week. This will include; Movement, Power Corruption & Lies, Low-Life, Brotherhood, and Technique. The second discs of all five releases will contain non-album singles, b-sides, remixes, etc. Movement contains things like the 7" and 12" version of "Temptation", while Power Corruption & Lies contains 12" singles like "Thieves Like Us." That wil be a nice improvement in my opinion as I always loved that 12" but never cared for the version that showed up on the compilation record Substance.

Fluff This!

Squezze member Glenn Tilbrook will be releasing a new album in the coming year called Pandemonium Ensues. It is scheduled to be released February 2nd, 2009 and will feature his backing band, The Fluffers. But, he has released a single for the record already that appears to have three songs that will not be on the full length release (of course, that could change between now and then). Only the title song on the single, "Binga Bong!" should be on the full length. The single is available from Quixotic Records and the track listing is as follows;

1. Binga Bong!
   
2. Politics & Beer
   
3. Evaline
   
4. Once Upon a Time Ago