Life's Little Luxuries

Best Albums of 2010

2011-02-08T18:14:00.026-06:00

A friend of mine asked me today what I was listening to and I thought he'd seen the list I put together of what I was listening to in 2010 a while back. Well, it turns out I had just saved the file instead of hitting the "publish" button. So, while this now seems a bit long in the tooth, I thought I'd post it anyway. Feel free to tell me what I missed or scorn me on some of my guilty pleasures.

The Jim Jones Revue - Burning Your House Down

The Jim Jones Revue is a kick in the face to the tired cliche that Rock 'N' Roll is dead (or that it should be). There are plenty of cliches in this stuff, they simply aren't tired. The music combines standard 12-bar blues with some nice boogie woogie piano a la Little Richard or Jerry Lee Lewis, a front man with a bit of Nick Cave in him, and an energy that makes everything sound fresh again, just like the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion was doing in the Nineties. And the energy comes across in the disc. Quite often bands have great intensity live but they can't seem to translate that to a record. That is not the case here. Jim Jones was the former front man for the Nineties band Thee Hypnotics. And while I always wanted to like them more, I didn't. Their psyc drenched garage music was always a sort of right street, wrong address thing for me. Not so here where everything is right. I'm only sorry I hadn't heard of them before this year as their first record came out at the end of 2008.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k_cd44iBuU
The Liminanas - s/t

This French duo of Marie and Lionel Liminana has put out one great dubut. It is a mix of garage rock, psych, and French pop. Most of it is sung in French, with a sultry, noir feel. And there is definitely a strong Serge Gainsborg influence here. One song even has some hiccup vocals ala "Bonnie & Clyde." Most of the instrumentation is sparse, but has some nice organ in the mix.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_h7RhayFYM
Black Keys - Brothers

Yet another fine release from the Black Keys. And while Danger Mouse only produces one song here, they've continued in the vein of their last record Attack & Release, where Danger Mouse brought in fuller instrumentation with organ and elements of soul music to their blues-rock mix.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpaPBCBjSVc
Peter Wolf - Midnight Souvenirs

This was the surprise of the year for me. While I really love the J Geils Band and their early R&B influenced blues-rock, I hadn't listened to any Peter Wolf solo work since the mid nineties. This record has a great laid back vibe that sounds like it was recorded live in the studio (whether it actually was or not). It reminds me a bit of how Chuck Prophet records sound, so I guess it is no surprise that Chuck co-wrote one of the songs on the record. There is a tribute to recently departed singer Willie 'Mink" DeVille as well as guest duets with the likes of Merle Haggard, Neko Case, and Shelby Lynne. The duet with Lynne that is the opener, 'Tragedy,' is worth the price of admission alone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPN9EV7azio
Dead Ghosts - s/t

So apparently Montreal isn't the only city in Canada producing great garage rock. Vancouver's Dead Ghosts full length (they've put our several 7" singles before this) has a nice sixties sound with jangly guitars and a ton of reverb. And even though the whole record is drenched in reverb, I think they may have turned it down a notch from their previous recordings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBwB6I3Er7A
Fitz & the Tantrums - Pickin' Up the Pieces

A group from Los Angeles that is doing the old soul thing, replete with guy-girl vocals, a horn section, and terrific organ work. What's not to like?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb6cBKE3WzQ
Trombone Shorty - Backatown

Troy Andrews, otherwise known as Trombone Shorty, is a horn player that grew up in the famous Treme district in New Orleans (he even had a guest apperance on the HBO show 'Treme'). He got his name from playing the trombone even before his arms were long enough to move the slide all the way down. The music is a mix of jazz, funk, and rock. It is the funk oriented stuff that stands out the most for me and tracks like 'Hurricane Season' make it sound as if the Mothership has just landed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoZhBKZhmT4
Best Coast - Crazy for You

Another record that is drenched in reverb, this one differs in that is it very indie pop/surf sounding record. It is often thrown into the garage rock genre, but I don't hear much of that. The songs though are some very nice pop gems.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fjMYI33E8Q
Strange Boys - Be Brave

The follow up to last year's The Strange Boys and Girls Club isn't quite as strong, but it still has several great moments. They have still kept their mix of garage rock, early Rolling Stones, and nasaly, Dylan-like vocals. But, they have also added in some saxaphone to a few songs, included the title cut, from former Mika Miko member Jenna Thornhill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hEQd-1XdIs
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings - I Learned the Hard Way

On their fourth record, Sharon Jones' vocals just keep getting stronger, or so it seems. It might be that right off the bat there are some slower numbers that put the spotlight on her Tina Turner-esque voice. But, there are still a number of uptempo soul/funk numbers on this record to keep your toes tapping.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txGOV7bhqR0
Cee Lo Green - The Lady Killer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc0mxOXbWIU
Stephanie Finch & the Company Men - Cry Tomorrow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdSxkA7Buf4
Parting Gifts - Strychnine Dandelions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4H3zwD0QPQ
Jaga Jazzist - One Armed Bandit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3kOVxteDAQ
The Ding Dongs - s/t
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgT8tnlD9cg
The Fresh & Onlys - Play it Strange
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rQmjdSN7KE
GB3 - Damaged/Controlled
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYI8XbbkiP0
Beach House - Teen Dream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90ipyWYO3LM
Paul Weller - Wake Up the Nation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPaoGccYfAE
Spoon - Transfereence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdMI5w_RVLI
Grinderman - Grinderman 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30U1-5-k1P4
Diplomats of Solid Sound - What Goes Around Comes Around
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwuavmjxr6w
Seasick Steve - Man from Another Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOYNyYU5crw
Red Mass - Jesus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiItqPUAsPo
Woven Bones - In and Out and Back Again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L3262YiKYo
Justin Townes Earle - Harlem River Blues
Bare Wires - Seeking Love
Broken Bells - s/t
Black Angels - Phosphene Dream
Steve Wynn - Northern Aggression
Tallest Man on Earth - Wild Hunt
Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot / The Son of Chico Dusty
Various - Daddy Rockin' Strong: A Tribute to Nolan Strong and the Diablos
The Moonhearts - s/t
The Roots - How I Got Over
The Fall - Your Future Our Clutter
The Underbelly - Seven Feet Under
V.V. Brown - Travelling Like the Light
Demon's Claws - The Defrosting of
So Cow - Meaningless Friendly
Mavis Staples - You are not alone
Eivind Aarset & the Sonic Codex Orchestra - Live Extracts
Mark Sultan - $ (Dig)
Katharine Ruestow - s/t
Karen Elson - The Ghost Who Walks
Dum Dum Girls - I Will Be
Thee Oh Sees - Warm Slime
All India Radio - The Silent Surf
Peter Case - Wig!
Roky Erickson & Okkervil River - True Love Cast Out All Evil
Tandori Knights - Curry Up
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - Hawk
The Sword - Warp Riders
Eli Paperboy Reed - Come and Get it
Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
Stan Ridgway - Neon Mirage
Alejandro Escovedo - Street Songs of Love
Deer Tick - The Black Dirt Sessions
John Grant - Queen of Denmark
The Like - Release Me
Hoodoo Gurus - Purity of Essence
Nobunny - First Blood
Dead Ghosts - Live
Dungen - Skit I Allt
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
White Wires - WWII
Velcro Lewis Group - White Magick Summer
Lloyd Cole - Broken Record
Crowded House - Intriguer
Robyn Hitchcock - Propellor Time
Reading Rainbow - Prism Eyes
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Sarena Maneesh - S-M 2: Abyss in B Minor
Retribution Gospel Choir - 2
Posies - Blood/Candy
Ty Segall = Melted
Aloe Blacc - Good Things
Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards
Wolf Parade - Expo 86
Teenanger - Give Me Pink
The Greenhornes - 4 Stars
The Hold Steady - Heaven is Whenever
New Pornographers - Together
Haunted George - American Crow
Mondo Drag - New Rituals
Various - Our Boy Roy
Matt K. Shrugg - Gone Ashtray
Red Mass - Sadness
White Mystery - s/t
Circle Pit - Bruise Constellation
Dex Romweber Duo - Live @ Third Man Records
Elvis Costello - National Ransom
Prince - 20Ten
Stephen Cummings - Good Bones
Midlake - Courage of Others
Len Price 3 - Pictures
Mark Olson - Many Colored Kite
Mark Ronson & the Business Intl - Record Collection
Girls at Dawn - Call the Doctor
The Flaming Lips - Dark Side of the Moon

Top Reissues/Compilations

Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street (Deluxe Ed.)
The Jayhawks - The Bunkhouse Album
The Jam - Sound Affects (Deluxe Ed.)
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Orange
Plimsouls - Live! Beg Borrow & Steal
QOTSA - Rated R (Deluxe Ed.)
Steve Kilbey - Monsters n Mirages
Bruce Springsteen - The Promise
R.E.M. - Fables of the Reconstruction
The Church - Of Skins and Heart
Marc Bolan - Twopenny Prince
Otis Redding - Live on the Sunset Strip
The Fall - The Wonderful and Frightening World of ... (Omnibus Ed.)
Iggy Pop and James Williamson - Kill City
Cococoma - Spectrum of Sounds
Dream Syndicate - Medicine Show
Rain Parade - Crashing Dream
The Teardrop Explodes - Kilimanjaro (Deluxe Ed.)
The Herbaliser - Herbal Tonic
Dexy's Midnight Runners - Searching for the Young Soul Rebels
Bob Dylan - Bootleg Series #9 - The Witmark Demos
David Bowie - Station to Station
Moby Grape - Live
Bobby Fuller - El Paso Rock Vol. 3 (Early Recordings)
Iggy Pop and the Stooges - Move Ass Baby

Not soul ... Plimsoul!

2010-03-11T20:42:00.008-06:00

Alive Records continues with its vault releases from Peter Case related bands. Starting things off was the first release in decades of the Nerves EP material and a whole lot more as 'One Way Ticket.' Then last year saw a limited edition LP release of a live Nerves show and the release of demos by the Breakaways, which was a band consisting of Peter Case and Paul Collins before Peter formed the Plimsouls in 1978. This year sees Alive releasing a live Plimsouls LP and CD called "Live! Beg, Borrow & Steal: October 31, 1981 Whisky A go Go" which pretty much tells you what it is. The sounds quality is very good and consists of quite a few covers and some material that was new at the time and would appear on their second LP, such as songs like 'Inch by Inch' and 'A Million Miles Away.'

The CD contains four more songs than the LP most likely so that it didn't need to be double LP. Tracks only on the CD include the covers; 'Dizzy Miss Lizzy', 'New Orleans', 'Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!' and 'Run Run Run/Who Do You Love?' And a few of those songs include guest appearances by members of The Fleshtones. It was Halloween after all.

Two of the songs have actually appeared before on the very limited fan club cassette release entitled 'Green Tambourines.' They are 'New Orleans,' a Gary U.S. Bonds song and a cover of the Kinks 'Come On Now.' I still have my copy of that cassette, which is #130. The cassette had a number of live covers and one demo 'Memory' that came out on the Rhino release 'Plimsouls ...Plus.' Hopefully the fan club tape is next on Alive's agenda of Peter Case re-releases as my tape isn't in that great of shape.

Best of 2009

2010-03-03T23:02:00.013-06:00

I guess all I can say is "Oops!" I meant to post this list a month and a half ago. I think I planned to write something about the records here, but just haven't had the time. So, at this point, I'm not sure it's worth it, but what the hell. This is just a reminder of what I was listening to last year. Needless to say, since I was playing garage rock, I was listening to a lot of that as well. Greg Cartwright and his Reigning Sound topped the list with a really great album, once again. And I guess I can never get enough of Chuck Prophet. He comes up with great songs that sound so effortless you'd think he finished them five minutes ago. I also really liked some records of folks I saw live this, including The Strange Boys (early Stones like garage rock with high pitched singer) from Austin, TX, the Tallest Man on Earth (Dylan like folk) from Sweden, JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound (soul/rock) from Chicago, and Chooglin' (rock with great horn section) from Minneapolis. I liked both the live record Chooglin' put out and their studio record that came out on the Fat Possum offshoot label Big Legal Mess. Apparently, Chooglin' started with the horn section for a one-off live show where the did the Rolling Stones 'Exile on Main Street' and kept it going from there. Okay, enough. On to the list ...

Reigning Sound - Love & Curses
Chuck Prophet - Let Freedom Ring!
The Strange Boys - The Strange Boys and Girls Club
The Church - Untitled #23
Q-Tip - Kamaal the Abstract
Chooglin' - Sweet Time
Tallest Man on Earth - Shallow Grave
Thee Oh Sees - Help
Dan Auerbach - Keep it Hid
Them Crooked Vultures - s/t
King Khan & BBQ Show - Invisible Girl
Naomi Shelton - What Have You Done, Brother?
Prefab Sprout - Let's Change the World With Music
Robyn Hitchcock - Goodnight Oslo
JC Brooks & the Uptown Sond - Beat of Our Own Drum
Joe Henry - Blood from Stars
Steve Kilbey & Martin Kennedy Present - Unseen Music Unheard Words
The Fresh & Onlys - Grey-Eyed Girl
Clutchy Hopkins & Lord Kenjamin - Music is My Medicine
Wilco - Wilco (the ablum)
The Dutchess & the Duke - Sunset/Sunrise
Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
Chooglin' - Nice Place
Bob Dylan - Together Through Life
Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Dark Night of the Soul
Cococoma - Things are not Alright
Herbaliser - Session 2
The Growlers - Are You in or out?
7 Worlds Collide - The Sun Came Out
Glenn Tilbrook & the Fluffers - Pandemonium Ensues
New Mastersounds - Ten Years On
Tosca - No Hassle
The Breakaways - Walking Out on Love: The Lost Sessions
Jack Oblivian - Saturday Night, Part 2
Barrett Martin - Zenga
Paul Cary - Ghost of a Man
Vieux Farka Toure - Fondo
King Midas Sound - Waiting for You
Ty Segall - Lemons
Mos Def - The Ecstatic
Red Mass - s/t
The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
Sonic Youth - The Eternal
Greg Cartwright - Live at the Circle A
Yo La Tengo - Popular Songs
Demon's Claws - Lost in the Desert (Demos & Outtatkes Vol. 1)
Blakroc - s/t
Nils Petter Molvaer - Hamada
Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
Deer Tick - Born on Flag Day
DJ Shadow - 4-Track Era
Thee Oh Sees - Dog Poison
Heartless Bastards - The Mountain
The Amazing - s/t
Brimstone Howl - Big Deal, What's He Done Lately?
Black Hollies - Softly Towards the Light
John Doe and the Sadies - Country Club
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - s/t
Woods - Songs of Shame
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears - Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!
Jimi Tenor / Tony Allen - Inspiration Information 4
The Oblivians - Barrister '95
The Yolks - s/t
Dead Weather - Horehound
The Aliens - Luna
Mayer Hawthorne - A Strange Arrangement
Bloodkin - Baby They Told Us We Would Rise Again
Soulsavers - Broken
Doug Gillard - Call from Restricted
Peter Holsapple & Chris Stamey - hERE aND nOW
Jacuzzi Boys - No Reasons
Dr. Lonnie Smith - Rise Up!
Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women - s/t
Elvis Costello - Secret, Profane and Sugarcane
Son Volt - American Central Dust
Black Lips - 200 Million Thousand
The Nerves - Live at the Pirate's Cove
Morphine - At Your Service
Dex Romweber Duo - Ruins of Berlin
Heavy Trash - Midnight Soul Serenade
Liberty Leg - Brenda Lee
The Duckworth Lewis Method - s/t
Real Estate - s/t
Jimi Tenor & Kabu Kabu - 4th Dimension
U2 - No Line on the Horizon
Thee Almighty Defenders - s/t
Cosmos - Jar of Jam Ton of Bricks
Elvis Perkins in Dearland - s/t
Box Elders - Alice & Friends
Imelda May - Love Tattoo
Six Organs of Admittance - Luminous Night
All India Radio - Once a Day
Stephen Cummings - Tickety Boo
Art Brut - Art Brut vs. Satan
Record Club - The VU & Nico
Unknown Instructors - Funland
Ben Neil - Night Science
Prince - LotusFlow3r
Jace Everett - Red Revelations
Black Jaspers - s/t

Top Reissues/Compilations

Big Star - Keep an Eye on the Sky
The Cult - Love (Omnibus Ed.)
Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique (20th Anniversary Ed.)
Elvis Presley - From Elvis in Memphis (Legacy Ed.)
The Dukes of Stratosphere - 25 O'Clock & Psonic Psunspot
The Jayhaws - Music From the North Country: The Jayhawks Anthology
Close Lobsters - Forever Until Victory
The Monks - The Early Years 1964-1965
Paul Weller - s/t (Deluxe Ed.)
The Who - The Who Sell Out (Deluxe Ed.)
Black Sabbath - Master of Reality (Deluxe Ed.)
Chris Bell - I am the Cosmos
Pretty Things - Philippe Debarge
Stone Roses - s/t
Spiritualized - Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
Nick Lowe - Quiet Please: The New Best of Nick Lowe
Roy Loney & the Phantom Movers - A Hundred Miles an Hour 1978-1989
James Brown - Live at the Garden
Where the action is : Lost Angeles Nuggets: 1965-1968
Various - Get Off My Back: Unissued Sixties Garage Acetates, Volume One
Various - 2131 South Michigan Avenue: 60's Garage adn Psyc from USA and Destination Records
Moby Grape - The Place and the Time
Inner Sapce - Agilok & Blubbo
The Housemartins - London O' Hull 4 (Deluxe Ed.)
The Emitt Rhodes Recordings: 1969-1973
The Rationals - Think Rational!
O.V. Wright - Memphis Unlimited
Rolling Stones - Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! 40th Anniversary Edition
Def Leppard - Pyromania (Deluxe Ed.)
Specials - Live at the Moonlight Club

Rejoining the Cult

2009-11-01T18:12:00.022-06:00

A record that was probably my favorite from my sophomore year of high school
has recently gotten the royal treatment. The Cult's Love album was reissued on October 20th by Beggars Banquet, in two different formats. There is a 2CD version called the Expanded Edition which contains the original album on disc one and all of the associated b-sides on disc two. If that wasn't enough, there is a 4CD Omnibus Edition which contains the same two discs as the Expanded Edition as well as a third disc of demos for the album, a fourth live CD from 1985, and a 48 page book.

Back in the day, I frankly loved Love. Looking back it is easy to see what a perfect transition it was in my own music tastes. Up to that point, I'd mainly listened to a lot of heavy metal with a sprinkling of some R&B from Prince and all the other Minneapolis bands he was involved with. I was just starting to listen to the likes of the Psychedelic Furs, Echo & the Bunnymen, and a whole lot of other 80s bands that were influenced by the likes of The Velvet Underground, The Doors, and Televsion. (It would be a year or two before I went to the source of influence for those 80s bands though.) The Cult was a perfect mix of goth, Led Zeppelin guitar riffs, and Ian Asbury's Jim Morrison fascination.

So, how does the album sit with me today? Well, I still like it. If it were released today I think I'd like, just not to the degree I did back then. I especially like the drumming Mark Brzezicki did on it. Mark was the drummer from Big Country, who also worked with Pete Townshend on some of his solo records. His drums are tribal, loud, and right out in front of the mix. Some very tight drumming. Of course, most will remember the guitar work from Billy Duffy and his signature riffs like that on "She Sells Sanctuary" which are also very nice.

As for the all the extra material, the b-sides are as I remembered. At the time I bought all of the 12" singles since I loved the record so much. But, most of the extra material wasn't that great. Other than "Little Face" all of the best material was on the record. A few b-sides like "All Souls Avenue" and "Judith" were decent. But others like "No. 13" sounded unfinished and "Snake Dance" was a vocal/guitar loop that just went on far too long. And the remixes were as bad as I thought they were back then. Time hasn't changed the terrible 80s dance floor treatment of "She Sells Sanctuary."

The third disc and its demos was something I hadn't heard before. These were quick, in-the-studio recordings, mostly of the tracks that would end up on the album. They aren't very different than the final product, but are interesting nonetheless. The fourth disc of a live show was much better than expected. Coming from a BBC broadcast of a Halloween show at the Hammersmith Odeon in London in 1985, the sound is great and the set is well done. I had heard from others that sometimes Cult's live shows left much to be desired. But this is a nice set all around.

If that weren't enough, if you order the Ominibus Edition directly from the Beggars Banquet website, you will get a bonus "disc" of MP3s. There are two live songs, including the great "Resurrection Joe" and "Revolution" from different nights of the Love tour. They performed these songs at the Halloween show that is on disc 4, but the BBC did not broadcast them (I don't know if they were recorded or not, most likely no since they aren't on the box set). Then, there are another 7 remixes of "She Sells Sanctuary" that come from a very limited 1993 release that is long out of print. And among the remixers are; Youth, Butch Vig, and J.G. Thirwell.

The Wrath of Khan (and BBQ)

2009-11-01T17:33:00.006-06:00

For a couple of guys that seem to put out a new release about every other week, it seems like it has been a long while since a new slab of wax has been released from either King Khan or BBBQ (aka Mark Sultan). But, that has certainly changed this fall. Last month saw the release of The Almighty Defenders on Vice Records. This was a quick, one week recording session by a group of musicians that included The Black Lips, King Khan, and BBQ. Sometimes this group of guys have referred to themselves as the Death Cult, but that has been for purposes other than releasing music. The Almighty Defenders perform a mix of gospel and garage rock and for the few times they have played live, they do so in choir robes. The album is only available on vinyl or digital download (i.e. no CD).

That was just the warm up though as the King Khan & BBQ Show will release their third album, entitled Invisible Girl this week on In the Red Records. It will contain more of their mix of doo-wop and garage rock. There will also be a tour to follow.

If that wasn't enough, BBQ has finished his solo record. The record won't come out until next year because of all the other new releases, but a single of some b-side type material is planned for release on In the Red records this month. Finally, the label Die Slaughterhaus is planning for the release of a record by the Black Jaspers, a punk/garage outfit that King Khan was involved with a few years ago.

A Star in the Cosmos

2009-09-28T01:52:00.009-05:00

There has been a fair amount of press over the Big Star box set that Rhino released this month called Keep An Eye On the Sky. That four CD set contains a treasure trove of demos, alternate versions, different mixes, and a 1973 live set from the band. A lot of the material has been unreleased to this point but some of it saw the light of day on last year's great compilation Thank You Friends: The Ardent Record Story that came out in the UK on Big Beat Records.

But what hasn't had much press is the deluxe edition of the Chris Bell compilation I Am the Cosmos that is coming out on the Rhino Handmade. This edition will contain a remastered version of the original Ryko compilation that came out in 1992 along with a second disc containing fifteen other tracks. Most of the second disc's tracks are alternate versions or alternate takes. But, there are also a few songs from Bell's pre-Big Star bands Icewater and Rock City as well as an unreleased instrumental. Initial orders will also come with a 7" of 'I Am the Cosmos' b/w 'You and Your Sister,' the two songs that initially appeared on the 1978 Car Records single. Full track listing is as follows;

I Am The Cosmos
Better Save Yourself
Speed Of Sound
Get Away
You And Your Sister
I Got Kinda Lost
Look Up
Make A Scene
There Was A Lighht
I Don't Know
Fight At The Table
Though I Know She Lies
Looking Forward - Icewater
Sunshine - Icewater
My Life Is Right - Rock City
I Don't Know (Alternate Version)
You And Your Sister (Alternate Version)
I Am The Cosmos (Extended Alternate Version)
Speed Of Sound (Alternate Version)
Fight At The Table (Alternate Mix)
Make A Scene (Alternate Mix)
Better Save Yourself (Alternate Mix)
Get Away (Alternate Version)
You And Your Sister (Acoustic Version)
Stay With Me (With Keith Sykes
In My Darkest Hour (With Nancy Bryan
Clacton Rag (Instrumental)

The Sandman Returns

2009-09-13T20:57:00.007-05:00

There is a really nice tribute that has been going on for a while now. But I thought it was better late than never to mention it. It is the tribute to Mark Sandman, singer, songwriter, and leader of the group Morphine who passed away ten years ago. The Mark Sandman Music Project & HI-N-DRY record label have put together a Sandman Tribute Project, where three Sandman related MP3s will be released from July 3rd to September 20th (although they are a bit behind, so it should run past the 20th).

Each week, one MP3 of a Sandman cover has been released, along with one spoken word piece from Mark, as well as one unreleased song from the Sandman archives. The current week's MP3s are free, but donations to the Mark Sandman Music Project, a project to provide music programs for young people, is strongly encouraged. And if you missed the previous week's MP3s, there is no need to fret as they can be purchased from the site for $1 per download. This current week sees a cover of "Honey White" by Les Claypool, who is backed up by former Morphine members Billy Conway, Jerome Dupree, and Dana Colley.

Wynn Tackles the Dylan Songbook

2009-09-13T20:09:00.005-05:00

Steve Wynn, solo artist and former front man for the Dream Syndicate, recently announced the first release from his new Short Run Records series. The series will include limited edition releases of recordings from the vault as well as new material that would not be included on standard releases. Steve Sings Bob is the first in the series and is limited to 300 copies, all of which will be signed by Steve.

This release includes several Bob Dylan covers that Wynn has recorded over the years. A few come from the Dream Syndicate days (one from as far back as 1982 when Kendra Smith was still in the band), while others were done with various incarnations of musicians he has put together to support him in recent years, including; Alejandro Escovedo, Chris Cacavas (Green on Red), Duane Jarvis, and more. More information can be found on the CD release at www.stevewynn.net. Track listing is as follows;

Blind Willie McTell (Band: The Dream Syndicate)
Positively 4th Street (Band: Steve Wynn and Loose Change)
Watching The River Flow (Band: Steve Wynn and Friends)
Honest With Me (Band: Steve Wynn & the Miracle 3)
Knockin' On Heavens Door (Band: Steve Wynn with the Alejandro Escovedo Band)
All Along The Watchtower (Band: The Dream Syndicate)
Groom's Still Waiting At The Alter (Band: Steve Wynn Quintet)
Outlaw Blues (Band: The Dream Syndicate)
Gotta Serve Somebody (Band: Hazel Motes)
Like A Rolling Stone (Band: Steve Wynn and Jason Victor)

Round Trip Ticket

2009-09-09T01:28:00.008-05:00

Last year saw the release of the all the studio material recorded by The Nerves over thirty years ago. It was called One Way Ticket. The power pop band was made up of Peter Case (later of The Plimsouls), Paul Collins (Paul Collins Beat), and Jack Lee.

This week sees an unexpected addition to the Nerves catalog. Alive Records have released a limited edition, vinyl only live record, unexcitingly called Live At The Pirate's Cove, Cleveland OH, May 26th 1977. The show was pulled from a tape band member Jack Lee recently discovered in an unmarked box. It is a show from The Nerves 1977 Magic Blistering Tour. The vinyl only release will come on colored vinyl; 500 copies on pink vinyl, 500 on yellow vinyl.

In addition, information on the Alive web site shows that there is a plan to release a record from the band The Breakaways (this time on CD & LP) called Walking Out on Love - The Lost Sessions. The Breakaways was a short lived band from 1978 formed by Peter Case and Paul Collins after The Nerves broke up which also included guitarist Pat Stengl. The band had recorded several demos but did not release an album. I'm guessing this release will contain those demos, but there is no word as to what else might be on it.

From Here to Oblivians

2009-08-15T22:49:00.018-05:00

It's been quite a summer for Oblivians fans. First, the band got back together and co-headlined a reunion tour with fellow garage punks The Gories. They only played three shows here in the US (two in Memphis, one in Detroit) but played for a few weeks over in Europe. At shows a new LP was available for purchase. It was an Oblivians live show from 1995 called Barristers Ninety Five. Now the limited edition LP is available for purchase by mail order from In the Red Records for those of us who couldn't make it to any of the shows. The live set includes some covers and the track list is as follows;

what rock n roll is all about
something to say
never enough
let him try
feel real good
bad man
drill
guitar shop asshole
he’s your man
jim cole
aint no sicko theres a plate in my head
motorcycle leather boy
mad lover
memphis creep
pinstripe willie
then i fucked her
trouble

And if that wasn't enough, tonight in Memphis there is a Compulsive Gamblers reunion show, Jack and Greg's pre-Oblivians band. The show will be with several other bands and apparently they will be selling copies of the first Gamblers CD Gamblin' Days Are Over at the show. That first album contains many of their 7" singles and is hard to come by these days. Perhaps it will also be made available online as well.

And if they weren't doing enough together, Jack Oblivian released an album with the Tennessee Tearjerkers called The Disco Outlaw back in May, which is available through Goner Records. He's also released a 10" vinyl record called Saturday Night Part 2 through Big Legal Mess Records.

Not to be outdone, Greg Cartwright has just released a new record this week with his band, The Reigning Sound, called Love & Curses. Like the Oblivians LP, it is available through In the Red Records. And finally, Greg has another record scheduled to come out next month on Dusty Medical Records out of Milwaukee called Live from the Circle A. It's a live acoustic set he did in Milwaukee that includes songs from his days with the Gamblers, Obvlivians, and the Reigning Sound.

The Can Opener

2009-07-20T21:47:00.009-05:00

I love it when an album turns up by an artist I like that I never knew existed or never thought would see the light of day, other than maybe in tape tradding/torrent circles. Such is the case of the recent release of the soundtrack to the movie Agilok & Blubbo, an obscure political satire film from 1969. The music for the film was done by a group called The Inner Space, which was an essentially an early version of Can (Inner Space would actually become the name of one of Can's late 70's albums). The group was made up of Irmin Schmidt on vocals and guitar, Holger Czukay on bass, and Jacki Liebezeit on drums.

Back in 1969 a 7" with two songs from the film was the only thing officially released. And that 7" now fetches around $400. So, getting to hear the full work for quite a bit less cash is quite a treat. The album was released on CD and LP by Wah Wah Records out of Spain. But, you can find copies at Dusty Groove Records in Chicago.

Now, if I could only get a hold of recordings from the short lived Winwood-less version of Traffic that existed in 1969, when Steve left to join Blind Faith, called Mason, Capaldi, Wood & Frog.

Out Standing in Their Cricket Field

2009-07-11T18:33:00.007-05:00

It's all balls and bats these days. Last year saw the release of the Baseball Project; an album done by Steve Wynn (Dream Syndicate), Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Scott McCaughey (Minus 5, Young Fresh Fellows), and Linda Pitmon (Steve Wynn & the Miracle 3) which was all about baseball.

This year, it's an album all about cricket. The band is The Duckworth Lewis Method, a collaboration between Thomas Walsh of Pugwash and Neil Hannon of the Divine Comedy. The Duckworth-Lewis Method in cricket is a set of formulas (developed by some gents named Duckworth and Lewis, of course) to address the problem of delayed, one-day cricket matches. And yes, I had to look that one up as I'm not up on my cricket.

Not surprisingly all the songs on the album are on different aspects of the game of cricket. And the music is some very fine pop songs penned by Walsh and Hannon. Walsh, who hails from Dublin, has quietly put out some great pop records in the last few years that have melodies in the XTC/Beatles/Brian Wilson/ELO vein. And Hannon, who comes from Northern Ireland, has been at the pop thing quite a bit longer and his brand of chamber pop has also had hints of ELO in it among other things. More information can be found on the band's website.

Jack White goes all High Fidelity on us

2009-05-28T23:02:00.007-05:00

By now I'm sure everyone has heard that Jack White of the White Stripes has formed yet another new band. This one is called Dead Weather and the band consists of White on drums, Alison Mosshart of the Kills on vocals, Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stone Age on guitar, and Jack Lawrence from the Raconteurs on bass.

In addition to the band though, White has decided to open up his own record store in Nashville called Third Man Records. He has also started a record label with the same name and has begun releasing some 7" singles. The tie between the two endeavors will be that certain releases from the label will be pressed on some nifty tri-colored vinyl (Pictured here) in limited runs of 100 that will only be available at the shop in Nashville. I'm certain these will show up on eBay shortly after they are released for a not-so-discounted price.

There are plans to release a single by the Dex Romweber Duo (Dex of Flat Duo Jets fame) in the near future, but White has just released three 7" singles this week alone; one by Rachelle Garniez, one by Mildred & the Mice, as well as the second one from Dead Weather. The first Dead Weather single was released back on Record Store Day back in April. The tracks on the new Dead Weather single are "Treat Me Like Your Mother” b/w “You Just Can’t Win." The b-side is a cover of a Them tune.

Wilco take it to the banker

2009-05-14T18:29:00.004-05:00

Jeff Tweedy and company are set to release their new album, generically titled Wilco (The Album) on June 30th. You can pre-order it now or listen to a stream of it over at WilcoWorld. But, in the meantime the band has also released an MP3 of a post-Mermaid Avenue Woody Guthrie cover called "The Jolly Banker" that can be purchased over at WilcoWorld. Or, if you are "Unemployed / underemployed or otherwise broke" you can grab it for free. All proceeds will go to the Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archives.

Faking the Summer of Love all over again

2009-05-02T23:53:00.013-05:00

This last month saw the reissue of the two records done by the Dukes of Stratosphear, which originally appeared back in 1985 and 1987. The Dukes were really just XTC in disguise, teaming up with producer John Leckie to make some crazy psychedelic records that sounded like they came right out of the Summer of Love. The first EP 25 O'Clock was even released on April Fool's Day back in 1985. I'm guessing maybe Andy Partridge was shooting for that again, but just missed it by a few weeks as the reissues came out in mid-April on his
Ape label.

The two records (which only appeared on CD before as a compilation called Chips from the Chocolate Fireball in 1987) have been reissued separately, each coming in their own beautiful mini hard back book complete with over 20 pages of photos, lyrics, and liner notes. And earch record comes with original videos ("The Mole from the Ministry" and "You're a Good Man Albert Brown"). But, of most interest to fans will be the unreleased material. The 25 O'Clock EP is more than doubled in length thanks to six demos (two of which weren't on the EP) as well three other Duke-like songs Andy Partridge recorded over the years. Psonic Psunspot also sees the addition of six demo versions of songs from the LP, including a Colin sung version of "Vanishing Girl" called "No One at Home." I've always been more of a fan of the Colin songs (although fewer in number to Andy's prolific writing) and "Vanishing Girl" is one of my favorites. So it's nice to hear Colin sing it since Andy sung it on the original album.

Finally, if all the music on the reissues isn't enough to hear a bunch of guys writing and performing songs that payed homage to the music they loved as kids, you can hear more about the process by listening to some podcasts of interviews between John Leckie and Andy Partridge that are posted over at Andy's Ape House web site.

Record Geek Day

2009-04-23T00:46:00.005-05:00

I had meant to write about Record Store Day before it happened (it was this last Saturday) but apparently was too lazy to get around to it. I did however make it to one of the participating stores and hopefully other record collecting geeks like myself did as well. There were a slew of limited releases put out that day, most of them 7" singles. If you didn't make it out and still want to get a hold of some of these releases, I'm sure there are many folks on eBay or elsewhere that are ready to help you out (and gouge you in the process). Some of the interesting stuff I was able to pick up included;

The Stooges - 1969/Real Cool Time 7" (repressing)
Beck/Sonic Youth split 7" (covering each other's songs)
Jay Reatard/Sonic Youth split 7"
Tom Waits - live 7"
Andrew Bird/Loney Dear split 7" (exclusive tracks and digital download)
Wilco concert DVD (with bonus download)
Booker T. Jones 7"
Bob Dylan 7" (with track live from Bonaroo 2004)
Elvis Perkins in Dearland 7" (exlusive b-side)
Chicha Libre/Dengue Fever split 7" (exclusive tracks)
Blitzen Trapper 7" (with beautiful pink & white, marble-like colored vinyl)
Flaming Lips/The Black Keys 7" (Keys do a Captain Beefheart song, Lips do Madonna)
Alla CD EP (with covers ranging from Kanye West to Terry Riley & John Cale)

Rumour Has It

2009-04-15T17:35:00.003-05:00

Adam Levy and The Honeydogs are back with a new EP after a bit of a hiatus. The EP is called Sunshine Committee and is the first self-produced effort from the group. The dogs have also added Steve Kung (trumpet) and Matt Darling (Trombone) as official members. The CD can be purchased from their website, www.honeydogs.com. Songs include;

Sunshine Committee
Fiber Optic Paramour
Balaclava
Stash
Levers, Pulleys & Pumps
The Good Fight

Massive Nights

2009-04-09T12:34:00.004-05:00

Fresh from seeing the Hold Steady the other night, I've been interested in listening to their new live release called A Positive Rage, which is a CD/DVD release that has 17 tracks from a October 31, 2007 show and five studio cuts. It also has a 53 minute documentary on the DVD. But, one other thing that they have made available on the web is a free MP3 download of the show they did the night before the one on the CD. The show is from the Metro in Chicago and the download can be grabbed from The Hold Steady: Taped Show Archive. The tracklisting is as follows;

Intro
Party Pit
You Can Make Him Like You
Chips Ahoy
Massive Nights
The Swish
Magazines
Hot Soft Light
Sweet Payne
Stuck Between Stations
Southtown Girls
Same Kooks
Joke About Jamaica
Your Little Hoodrat Friend
Positive Jam
How a Resurrection Really Feels
Encore Break
Certain Songs
Lord, I'm Discouraged
Most People are DJ's
Killer Parties

Expanding Empire

2009-04-06T17:15:00.003-05:00

Empire of the Sun, the Australian duo made up of Luke Steele from the Sleepy Jackson and Nick Littlemore from Pnau, have released a new single for the song "We Are the People." The Australian CD single contains the following tracks; We Are The People (album version), We Are The People (Sam La More remix), Walking On A Dream (Neon Neon remix), Walking On A Dream (Danger Racing remix).

In addition, there is a free MP3 that the band has made available to those who sign up for their newsletter on their home page. The track is called "Romance To Me" and it is a brand new song that has not been released elsewhere.

All David, No Goliath

2009-03-27T18:22:00.010-05:00

I must say that while I'm okay with special limited editions of album releases, what I don't like is when they come out months and months after the initial release. So is the case with David Bridie's Succumb album from last year. A deluxe edition was released on March 13th. It comes with a slightly altered cover and a bonus CD of six extra tracks from the Succumb sessions. Tracks are;

Going Out With The Enemy (Hicks Mix)
This Year Is Better Than Last Year (Nostradamus Mix)
Too Much Superstition
Tourniquet
Black Swans
The Healing

If you don't feel like shelling out lots of cash for another CD copy of the album, the extra tracks are available from iTunes and two of the songs are on David's website as free MP3 downloads.

And speaking of free MP3 downloads, the band My Friend the Chocolate Cake that David plays in also has some MP3 downloads of b-sides and alternate mixes from their last work Home Improvements. The tracks are as follows and can be downloaded from the MFTCC website;

The Weather Coast (Mix 5)
That Eye, The Sky
Seek (Happyland Mix)
Drone

A Guru By Any Other Name

2009-03-21T16:40:00.004-05:00

A 7" single that came out at the end of 2008 that I just heard about was "St. Peters Infirmary" by The Persian Rugs. The Rugs are essentially the Australian group The Hoodoo Gurus (well, 3/4s of them) under a pseudonym. Or you could call it a side project. Whatever. The sound is very similar to the Gurus stuff, only there is much more a predilection for sixties garage rock here, complete with Dave Faulkner playing Farfisa organ instead of guitar. The single's b-side is a tune called "What's a Girl Supposed to Do?" and the single was released by German label Screaming Apple Records.

Continents and Coffee

2009-03-12T16:40:00.007-05:00

Australian group The Church are getting set to release their twenty-thrid (or thereabouts) record, appropriately titled Untitled #23. Preceding its release they are putting out a couple of EPs (I'd actually call one of them a single and the other an EP). Between the two, which contain seven tracks in total, only one song will be on the new record. The Coffee Hounds EP contains the following tracks; How Easy It All Is (Coffee Song), Hounds of Love, and How Easy It All Is (Coffee Song) instrumental. "Hounds of Love" is actually a Kate Bush cover. The Pangaea EP contains the first single from the record, the title cut, and the following tracks; L.L.C., Insanity, and So Love May Find Us. The last cut is a fifteen minute epic. Both EPs can be found in CD form from online shops and The Churh's own merch shop. Digital downloads are also available from a new record label from Chapel Hill, North Carolina called Second Motion, that also has artists like Swervedriver, Tommy Keene, and Daniel Lanois.

Coloring Party

2009-03-12T16:02:00.002-05:00

King Khan and BBQ have put out a new 7" single on the Fat Possum label called Animal Party. The a-side song is the title cut and the b-side is "God of Raisins." The single is a little pricier than usual and is eight dollars. But, the extra charge is because the single comes complete with a King Khan & BBQ Show coloring book. Apparently you could even enter a coloring book contest with your handywork, but I guess I've already missed the deadline on that. For those who just want to hear the music, the MP3s of the single are available through eMusic for quite a bit less cost.

Extra Beast

2009-02-26T17:33:00.002-06:00

Andrew Bird's newest release Noble Beast which was released on January 20th also comes in a deluxe edition. The deluxe edition includes different artwork (pictured here) and a bonus CD of instrumental music called Useless Creatures. The bonus disc was recorded with Wilco's Glenn Kotche and Todd Sickafoose. Tracklisting is as follows;

Master Sigh
You Woke Me Up!
Nyatiti
The Barn Tapes
Carrion Suite
Spinney
Dissent
Hot Math
Sigh Master

Is it live or is it ...

2009-02-17T11:08:00.004-06:00

My Morning Jacket recently put out a new live EP that is only available through iTunes. It is called iTunes Live from Las Vegas at the Palms and was actually recorded live in a studio. There are six songs, five of them are reworkings of older songs. And there is one new track called "Dear Wife". The full track listing is as follows;

Tonight I Want to Celebrate With You
Dear Wife
Knot Comes Loose
From Nashville to Kentucky
They Ran
Thank You Too

Extra Sandbags

2009-02-17T10:53:00.002-06:00

The new album Ready for the Flood from former Jayhawks cohorts Mark Olson & Gary Louris was finally released at the end of January here in the States (it was released in early December overseas). And following a recent trend, there is a 2LP version of the work that contains two bonus tracks that are not on the CD. Those tracks are; Precious Time, and Cotton Dress.

Webcastin' Addicts

2009-02-09T22:43:00.002-06:00

A Webcast of the upcoming Buzzcocks show this Wednesday, February 11th will be streamed at Fab Channel. The live show is part of their Another Bites tour and this show will be at the Paradiso in Amsterdam.

Dial H for Hitchcock

2009-01-25T13:31:00.004-06:00

On February 17th, Yep Roc Records will release the new album from Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3. It is called Goodnight Oslo and those who pre-order the album (CD or vinyl) through the Yep Roc web site will get a limited edition, three song bonus disc. The CD includes "Up To Our Nex," featured in the film Rachel Getting Married, "I Just Wanna Be Loved," a new song featuring Grant Lee Phillips, and "Nothing Makes Me Cry," a b-side from Ole! Tarantula.

The Fleshtones in Your Stocking

2008-12-28T16:01:00.004-06:00

Garage rock's elder statesmen The Fleshtones released a holiday CD called Stocking Stuffer this fall that is available on Yep Roc records. In addition, they recently appeared on the Cherry Blossom Clinic (hosted by Terre T.) on WFMU to perform some songs from their Xmas album live. You can still listen to the live performance here.

Big in Germany

2008-12-28T15:40:00.004-06:00

Dan Baird, former lead singer of the Georgia Satellites, solo artist, and member of the Yahoos, has released a new record this year called Dan Baird & the Homemade Sin that sees him teaming up with Warner Hodges, former guitarist for Jason & the Scorchers. And it also has former Georgia Satellite member Mauro Magellan on drums. If you didn't hear about this record, don't worry, neither did I. Like a lot of recent efforts for Baird, they are only getting released in Germany. This one is no different and you can get yourself a copy through Germany's Blue Rose Records online shop.

Spaceships Landing Soon

2008-12-28T13:17:00.004-06:00

Bob Pollard's new outfit, Boston Spaceships, will be releasing a new web only 7" single this coming Tuesday. It will contain a single from their upcoming release The Planets are Blasted along with three non album tracks. The single is available from Rockathon Music. Songs are as follows;

Headache Revolution
Demntia Is Rising
Take That Off (And Put This On)
7 is the Hot Noose

Shriek meets the Church

2008-12-28T13:02:00.003-06:00

Wyrm Publishing is releasing a limited edition of Jeff VanderMeer's science fiction book Shriek: an Afterward as a signed hardback that is limited to 500 copies. Of interest to music fans will be an accompanying CD of soundtrack music by The Church that the Australian band did in conjunction with a movie adaptation of the book. Information on the film can be found at Shriek: The Movie.

Merry Xmas Baby

2008-12-28T12:44:00.002-06:00

Paul Westerberg has released yet another digital download, this time for the holiday season. D.G.T. can be purchased from TuneCore for a measly 74 cents. Tracks for the MP3 download are as follows;

Always in a Manger
Streets of Laredo
D.G.T.

Tell Me a Tale from Bonnaroo

2008-12-22T17:11:00.005-06:00

The Raconteurs have released a Bonnaroo version of their latest single 'Old Enough.' The regular single contained that song (which features Ricky Scaggs and Ashley Monroe with the band) and a bluegrass version of 'Top Yourself.' But, this new version of the single, which is only available as a 7" contains the song 'Old Enough' which was recorded at the 2008 Bonnaroo festival. And the b-side contains an acoustic version of the same song that was recorded backstage at Bonnaroo. It can be purchased here.

In addition, the band are streaming several of their fall UK live shows on their website.

Join the Club

2008-12-11T18:26:00.004-06:00

American Music Club released a
digital only single for song "All the lost souls welcome you to San Francisco." The single also contains demo versions of the songs "Stars" and "Who are you." All three songs, though not in demo form, are from their record The Golden Age. The single is availabe from iTunes and eMusic, but the eMusic one is very hard to find as it isn't listed on the band page and can only be downloaded at the following link;

http://www.emusic.com/album/American-Music-Club-All-The-Lost-Souls-Welcome-You-To-San-Francisco-MP3-Download/11270001.html

In addition to the single there are still three very limited CDs that can be purchased from the band's website. These were European tour CDs. The first is Atwater Afternoon, which contains in-the-studio recordings of songs in preparation of the tour with the new lineup. It also contains some covers, such as Sam & Dave's "I'm Your Puppet." The second disc is a collection of rehearsals for the album Everclear which is appropriately titled The Everclear Rehearsals Late 1990. And the third disc is The Mercury Band Demos April 1992. Get them while you can as they are very limited; disc one (1500 copies), disc 2 (600 copies), and disc 3 (700 copies).

Note 12/21/08: Unfortunately it looks like eMusic is no longer making the digital single available to U.S. customers.

No Longer Sleeping

2008-11-24T03:15:00.008-06:00

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

2008-11-21T00:58:00.004-06:00

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;

It's All Over Now Baby Blue
Sometimes (acoustic version)
Cosmic Wheels (live)
Nothing's Too much (live)
She Sees Herself In Dreams
This Is How A New Life Can Open Up For You
Isn't It A Pity? (live)
I Want You To Want Me (alternate version)
The Keys To My Heart (live)
Do It (live)
Beware Of Darkness (live)
From St Kilda To Kings Cross (with Chris Abrahams)
When Everyone's Left
I'm Having An Anxiety Attack
End Of Conversation (with Chris Abrahams)
Some Prayers Are Answered (live)
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?

2008-11-20T23:47:00.008-06:00

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

2008-11-18T02:51:00.004-06:00

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;

True Blue
Omaha Nights
To Die a Happy Man
She Only Calls Me on Sundays
We'll Get By
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

2008-11-06T00:56:00.006-06:00

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;

The Lurking Barrister
Rage On Regardless
Burned
Sad Hasselhoff vs. The Panopticon
Favorite Mess
Scott Walker's Fault

New World Order

2008-11-06T00:37:00.004-06:00

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!

2008-11-01T00:13:00.003-05:00

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;

Binga Bong!
Politics & Beer
Evaline
Once Upon a Time Ago

Rev Up the Freebies

2008-10-25T12:38:00.004-05:00

Mercury Rev released a new record last month entitled Snowflake Midnight. At the same time they very kindly put out another work that is available for free. This co-release is entitled Strange Attractor and is available as an MP3 download from their website if you sign up for the Mercury Rev mailing list. If the freebie MP3s aren't good enough, it also looks like a vinyl release of Strange Attractor is available for pre-order from the website. Tracks on the bonus release are;

Love Is Pure
Taken Up into Clouds, Changed and Rained Down
Pure Joie de la Solitude
Persistance and the Apis Mellifera
Fable of a Silver Moon
Loop Lisse, Loop
In My Heart, a Strange Attractor
Incident on Abeel Street
Af Den Fader Kommer Den Sol
Because Because Because
Nocturne for Norwood

Striking a Nerve

2008-10-24T12:03:00.007-05:00

Well, it has only taken over thirty years, but I am happy to find out that finally an official compilation of The Nerves material from the mid-seventies is now available. The compilation is entitled One Way Ticket and was released by Alive Records and can be purchased through Bomp Records mail order.

The Nerves were a power pop band made up of Jack Lee, Peter Case, and Paul Collins.
Case would go on to form the Plimsouls, Paul Collins would form the Paul Collins Beat, and Jack Lee would release one solo record and then pretty much disappear from the music world. It was Lee's penned "Hanging on the telephone" though that is the most well known Nerves song, if there is such a thing. Several bands have covered that song, most notably Blondie for their Parallel Lines album.

In addition to the CD, there is a limited edition LP version with a different cover photo. The LP is also pressed on yellow vinyl. Both the CD and the LP contain all the tracks from the only official release, which was an EP from 1976, as well as several demos and unreleased live recordings. Tracks are as follows;

One Way Ticket
Paper Dolls
Hanging On The Telephone
When You Find Out
Working Too Hard
Give Me Some Time
Walking Out On Love
Thing Of The Past
It's Hot Outside
Many Roads To Follow (demo)
Are You Famous? (live)
Why Am I Lonely? (live)
You Won't Be Happy (live)
Any Day Now (live)
Letter To G. (live)
Come Back And Stay (live)
I Need Your Love (live)
Stand Back and Take a Good Look (demo)
Are You Famous (demo - CD only)
Letter To G. (demo - CD only)

Coughing Up a New EP

2008-10-24T02:55:00.008-05:00

Former Soul Coughing main man Mike Doughty, who earlier this year released a new album called Golden Delicious has released a digital only EP. The Fort Hood EP is available through iTunes and emusic. It contains one track, "Fort Hood", from the full length album and three live recordings. Two of the tracks are from an appearance on Jonesy's Jukebox, Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) radio show and the other was recorded in a New York subway like other tracks from his bonus EP Busking that was available with some initial copies of Golden Delicious. Tracks include;

Fort Hood
27 Jennifers (Live on Jonesy’s Jukebox)
Grey Ghost (featuring Steve Jones, Live on Jonesy’s Jukebox)
Bottom of A Well (recorded in the subway, New York)

Nickel and Dimed

2008-10-11T13:54:00.011-05:00

From the completely lame category comes the new Pretenders record Break Up the Concrete and the mulitple variations of the release. The new release has no less than four special editions, each with their own bonus tracks (there may be more editions that I'm not aware of). This was something that was done by the Smashing Pumpkins last year for their reunion record Zeitgeist, and the move was heavily criticized by publications such as Rolling Stone and Pitchfork. But, apparently that hasn't deterred the Pretenders.

What struck me as odd was that all of the bonus tracks were songs that have been released before. But, it appears that at least these are reworked versions of the songs with the current lineup (which includes Eric Heywood on pedal steel). Or at least the Best Buy version, which I bought, are reworked versions. I have read the others are different versions as well.

Here's the breakdown of the bonus tracks;

Biker
Nothing Breaks Like a Heart

Tequlia
Can't Help Falling in Love
977

Both Sides of Goodbye (with Willie Nelson)
I Go to Sleep

You Didn't Have To (acoustic)

Quick Fill Prescriptions

2008-10-10T00:03:00.004-05:00

Ted Leo & the Pharmacists have released a digital only EP that is available from the Touch & Go Records website. The EP is called Rapid Response, it costs $4, and all proceeds go to benefit Democracy Now! and Minnaepolis Food Not Bombs. The band is donating to these organizations to "Support true journalism, truth telling, and community service." Tracks on the EP are; Paranoia (Never Enough), Mourning in America, I Got Your Number, and Nobody's Driving.

Succumbing

2008-10-05T01:34:00.002-05:00

In other Australian artist news, David Bridie (member of My Friend the Chocolate Cake as well as Not Drowning Waving) released his third solo album back in August. It is called Succumb and is more of a rock record than his previous solo records. A few songs that were left off the record can be downloaded from Bridie's website. The tracks are; Mesaured Best, and The Healing.

Live Liam

2008-10-05T01:03:00.007-05:00

To coincide with his current US tour, Yep Roc has put out a live CD EP of Liam Finn that was included as a bonus when you bought his full length CD I'll Be Lightning. The live EP is entitled Live From the Wiltern and was unsurprisingly recorded 4/13/08 at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. The track listing is as follows;

I'm Liam and this is Eliza-Jane
Fire in Your Belly
I'll Be Lightning
Wide Awake on the Voyage Home
Better to Be
Second Chance
Lead Balloon

This EP is not the only limited edition piece available for the I'll Be Lightning album. There is also a 2LP version of the work that includes five bonus tracks. They are;

Turn Up the Birds
I'd Rather Waste You Than The Money On My Phone
Come Home Sam
I Found Noise At Atp
I Will Explode

Return of the Moffs

2008-09-28T14:38:00.015-05:00

I've been waiting for this one for some time now. About a year ago I read on Tom Kazas' (Moffs bass player) website that a two CD reissue of nearly ever Moffs song would be on the way. It has taken some time but the reissue has finally materialized. The 2CD set, called The Collection is available through the Aussie label Feel Presents, who have been putting out some nice reissues of 70's and 80's Australian rock in recent years, including two Tales from the Underground compilations.

The Moffs were a psychedelic/mod/garage rock outfit that was on Citadel records in the 80's. Citadel was the home to many of the Radio Birdman related projects, Died Pretty, and several other quality bands. The Moffs were somewhat overlooked even back then as they had more of a pscyh bent than garage rock like most of the other bands on the label's roster.

This reissue brings together all the officially released songs of the band, some of which have never been on CD before. This inlcludes the tracks from the LP Labryinth, their self titled EP, and 7" singles. In addition, there are six tracks from their origianl demo tape, some covers, and several later era demos.

Dig Out Your Songbook

2008-09-28T12:22:00.004-05:00

In the U.K. a new Oasis record is still a major deal. Case in point, last week's NME contained a bonus 25 page songbook and CD-ROM called Dig Out Your Soul Songbook. The promotional piece contains; chords and lyrics to four new tracks, video interviews with band members, screensavers, a play along video (to an older song 'Supersonic'), and chances to win a limited edition box set and a VIP Oasis experience (where the winner will be flown to see them anywhere on their world tour).

Streaming of Dylan

2008-09-28T12:17:00.004-05:00

The latest release in the Bob Dylan bootleg series, Tell Tale Signs, is a two CD set of unreleased tracks and alternate takes from 1989-2006 that is scheduled to be released on October 7th. At 12am on September 30th though the entire release will be streamed as a preview on NPR.

Why Ain't School More Fun?

2008-09-28T11:53:00.006-05:00

"Why ain't school more fun?" asks Westerberg on his latest MP3 only download called Bored of Edukation. This new song was released on September 13th through Amazon.com and is now also available through Tunecore. At this rate, I'm sure there will be a new Westerberg MP3 released before I finish writing this. The current download is more of a traditional song that clocks in under five minutes as opposed to some of the mash-up work of late that is around twenty minutes in length. In the opening verse, the phrasing is very Dylan-esque and the acoustic guitar is in the forefront, but by the time he gets to the chorus the crunch of an electric guitar appears and the song becomes more of a typical Westerberg composition.

Yo La Tengo Una Banda De Sonido

2008-09-21T16:38:00.011-05:00

Yo La Tengo has made available another CD through their website of various soundtrack music they have done. It is entitled They shoot, we score. It contains songs (plus outtakes) from the following movies; Game 6, Old Joy, Junebug, and Shortbus. Each CD will be sent with one of four covers at random with a certain movie image on the front. The music is also available as a digital download.

TRACK LISTING: OLD JOY 1. Leaving Home 2. Getting Lost 3. Path to Springs 4. Driving Home 5. Leaving Home (alternate version) 6. Old Joy: End Credits JUNEBUG 7. Ashley 8. Meerkats 9. Madeline 10. A Roomful of Ladies (outtake) 11. David Wark 12. Aftermath (outtake) 13. George GAME 6 14. This Could Be It 15. The Phantom Who Haunts Broadway 16. Game Time 17. Pharaoh Blues 18. Zoo Chant 19. Love Chant 20. Asbestos 21. Return of the Pharaoh 22. Spec Bebop 23. Buckner's Boner SHORTBUS 24. Isolation Tank 25. Panic in Central Park (outtake) 26. Panic in Central Park 27. Wizard's Sleeve

Deluxe Science

2008-09-21T16:25:00.008-05:00

The new work by TV On the Radio, Dear Science, which is scheduled to be released this week will also be available in a deluxe edition that will have four extra songs. The extra songs inlclude;

Make Love All Night Long
Heroic Dose
Dancing Choose - (Prefuse 73 remix)
Crying - (Telepathe remix)

Rew the Day

2008-09-14T16:11:00.004-05:00

My only regret is that I didn't hear about this free digital download EP sooner. Last year Kimberley Rew, former guitarist for the Soft Boys as well as Katrina & the Waves, released Ridgeway for download on his website. The digital EP is a concept piece about a journey from the North Sea to Avebury that is sequenced as one twenty minute track.

BJM Down Under(ground)

2008-09-13T13:48:00.006-05:00

To commemorate an August tour of Australia for their album My Bloody Underground, the Hi-Fi Live Store is releasing a limited edition live CD of the Brian Jonestown Massacre that was recorded Augutst 30th at the Hi-Fi in Melbourne. The tracklisting is as follows;

Whoever You Are
Yeah Yeah
Nailing Honey To a Bee
Here It Comes
Vacuum Boots
Who
Hide and Seek
When Jokers Attack
Drone/Sailor
A New Low in Getting High (featuring Matt Tow on vocals)
Evergreen
Prefab Ambulatory Device (unreleased, title TBC)

Complimentary Meds

2008-09-12T01:53:00.011-05:00

I'm sure these MP3s have been available for a while, but I just stumbled across them the other day. I had been listening to the KCRW session that Spiritualized did back in May and decided to check out the Spiritualized web site. I ended up finding some great free downloads available there in the Complimentary Medicine section. First is a live show from 2007 in London. And then there are two "bootlegs", 24 tracks in all, of demos, studio outtakes, Peel sessions, rehearsals, and unreleased mixes from 1990 and 1991.

Limited Animal

2008-08-31T11:35:00.005-05:00

I hadn't realized that for Alejandro Escovedo's new work, Real Animal, that came out at the end of June, that there was a limited edition double vinyl version of the release. The vinyl comes with two bonus songs not on the CD release. The songs are 'Falling in Love Again' and a cover of Iggy Pop and the Stooges' 'I Got a Right.' The vinyl can still be purchased through Alendro's webiste.

Westerberg Digital Download Onslaught Continues

2008-08-31T11:10:00.003-05:00

The somewhat strange release of new music by former Replacements leader Paul Westerberg continued this week with a digital EP release called 3oclockreep that was made available August 27th on the tuneCORE site. The release is two tracks; 3oclockreep, and Finally Here Once. The latter is a three and a half minute tune, while the former is a twenty minute long piece.

Limited Weller

2008-08-26T00:02:00.004-05:00

A very limited Paul Weller book and vinyl record has been released by Genesis Publications. The release is limited to 2,000 copies and has some great selling points. All copies are hand signed by Weller and contain 350 photos and items of personal memorabilia. But, of most interest is the added vinyl 12", which contains four unreleased Jam tracks from 1977. They are all demos and are the songs that got The Jam their deal with Polydor records. The tracks included are; In the City, Time for Truth, So Sad About Us, and Sounds from the Street. As great as this sounds, if you are interested in getting a copy, you better open your wallet wide. Copies are priced at 250 pounds, which is around 460 dollars (US) these days. Ouch!

The Missing 5:05

2008-08-25T23:47:00.005-05:00

Apparently Paul Westerberg's new digital only release 49:00 was pulled a few weeks ago from Amazon.com. Although I haven't heard a definitive reason, it appears to be related to copyright issues. But, now Paul has released a one song digital download called 5:05 that is available from tuneCORE for either 99 cents (or $5.05, your choice). The disappearance of the full "album" 49:00 is clear as mud. But, 5:05 at least clears up a mystery that seems to have been bothering a lot of fans. The release 49:00 was only 43 minutes and 55 seconds long. So, with an additional 5:05, now you have your 49:00. Ah, breathe easy, now we can all feel whole again.

Join the Club

2008-08-20T23:11:00.003-05:00

To start something different, the folks over at Karmic Hit Records have established the Esoteric Music Club. The Australian label, which is run by John Kilbey (former member of the Bhagavad Guitars and brother of the Church's Steve Kilbey) has often focused on releases from the Kilbey clan (another brother Russell also is a musician and was in the band the Crystal Set). Apparently John and brother Steve often get together and record songs. They have now started making them available as MP3 downloads from the label's "Club" page. The label asks for donations, but the tracks can be downloaded for free. A new song is made available every Sunday. The latest song is a cover of The Go-Betweens "The Wrong Road" which features Steve Kilbey on vocals with Russell Kilbey and Michael Hanlon performing the music.

One Free MP3 of the Trees

2008-08-20T23:03:00.003-05:00

The band Calexico is poised to release a new work next month called Carried To Dust. As a little sampler, the band have posted a MP3 of the song "Two Silver Trees" on its website.

Guerrillas in the Mist

2008-08-07T01:26:00.006-05:00

Primal Scream released their eleventh record in July entitled Beautiful Future. It has not been released in the US yet (main release in the UK). But, there is some bonus material that can be accessed from their website if you insert the purchased CD into your computer. The bonus includes an MP3 of "Urban Guerrilla" which was not on the album and is a Hawkwind cover. There is also some live photage and interviews that can be downloaded. Even if you didn't purchase the CD, you can still get the MP3, but you can't get the additional photage.

In addition, there is a three format single for the song 'Can't go back'; a CD, a 7 inch, and an download. The CD contains the single track and a song called 'Jesus is My Air O Plane'. The b-side to the 7 inch single is 'Urban Guerrilla' and the "b-side" (if you can call it that) to the download is 'Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne (Recordstore Exclusive)'.

Seriously?

2008-08-05T15:50:00.010-05:00

This year saw the CD reissue of one of the lesser known great pop records from the 70's. The album was called Are You Serious? and was released by Van Duren in 1978. Van Duren was part of the Memphis pop scene at that time. In fact he auditioned in 1974 to join Big Star as a second guitarist. That didn't materialize. However, he and Big Star drummer Jody Stephens recorded some demos with former Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldman and played in an outfit with Stephens called the Baker Street Regulars. This nearly complete solo record (he recorded nearly everything himself) doesn't contain Stephens, although one of the songs is a co-write with Jody. And while numerous write ups have mentioned that it sounds like Big Star, to these ears I hear more of a Todd Rundgren influence thrown in with the strong helping of Paul McCarntney or Emmitt Rhodes. The CD was released on Water Records and is available from the usual online CD shops.

Record Store Day, round 2

2008-07-23T01:11:00.005-05:00

Back in April as part of Record Store Day, Merge Records released a split 7" single that was available for free to patrons of various indie record stores across the country. Now, for those of us not fortunate enough to have a record store close by who participated, Merge has posted MP3s from that split single on their website. The split single included the track "Madame Butterfiles" by Destroyer on one side and "Prodigy" by Wye Oak on the other side.

Also, currently Merge is offering free downloads of the vinyl bonus tracks from M. Ward's Transfiguration of Vincent.

Pennies on the dollar

2008-07-23T00:54:00.004-05:00

Paul Westerberg has quickly released a new digital only album called 49:00 that was made availble for download from Amazon.com this week. The album is on MP3 file that contains a mix of about 18 songs mashed together (that is about 43 minutes long). And the cost to download the MP3 is only 49 cents! Some from the Man Without Ties message board have already tried to come up with the number of songs and possible song titles.

Blink and You'll Miss It

2008-07-23T00:32:00.005-05:00

From the blink and you'll miss it category, to borrow a lyric from Weller's last album, comes a very limited release of his new 22 Dreams album which was released last month in Britain and this month in the USA. The deluxe UK edition, which is already difficult to track down and is now running about $70 (it originally listed for about $40) comes packaged like a hard bound book. It has 32 pages of text and pictures, most of which are lyrics from the album. But, it does have a short story by poet Simon Armitage called The Missing Dream. The real bonus is an extra disc with eight tracks of demos, instrumentals, and tracks not on the record. The track listing for the bonus disc is;

22 Dreams (original demo)
Rip Up the Pages
Light Nights (original demo)
Cold Moments (original demo)
Love's Got Me Crazy
Invisible (Marco version)
Big Brass Buttons (instrumental)
22 Dreams (instrumental)

Are you sure Waylon done it that way?

2008-07-07T19:46:00.003-05:00

From the category of "How did I miss this one?" comes a record by Chuck Prophet called Dreaming Waylon's Dreams. I've been a big fan of the former Green on Red guitarist and for this record, which was quietly released several months ago, he decided to record one of Waylon Jenning's records song by song. The original record by Waylon was called Dreaming My Dreams and was released in 1975. The CD release of this work by Prophet is limited to 1000 copies, is hand numbered, and has artwork that was created by hand on letterpress by Bruce Licher (famous for his album artwork done for releases on his Independent Project Records). You can order the CD from theconneXtion.com.

Live from an Apple

2008-07-02T21:06:00.002-05:00

A live digital album by R.E.M. has been released and is available on iTunes. It is part of the iTunes Live from London sessions and it was recorded at the Regent Street Apple store in London on March 26th. The band played a number of songs from their current album Accelerate as well as some much older songs like 'Fall on Me', 'Auctioneer' and 'West of the Fields.'

Lowe Hangin' Out at Hall's House

2008-06-19T22:07:00.004-05:00

I have to thank my friend John for pointing out this one to me. Daryl Hall (yes, that one of Hall & Oates fame) has an online show called Live from Daryl's House. About once a month a new streaming video episode is released with an artist joining Hall in his house (actually houses, as he has more than one) to perform a short intimate set with some discussion. You even get to view the musicians working out the arrangements a bit. The latest episode has Nick Lowe come to the house where he performs; I Live on a Battlefield, Shelley My Love, Rome Wasn't Built in a Day, Cruel to be Kind, and a few others.

Rare International Submarine Band 7"

2008-06-19T21:47:00.003-05:00

Sundazed Records has reissued the rare 1966 Columbia Records 7" from the International Submarine Band for the song 'One Day Week' with the b-side 'Sum Up Broke.' Gram Parsons appears on both tracks and neither track appeared on the album Safe at Home that appeared after Parsons had left the band. More info at Sundazed's web site.

Glastonbury Warm Up

2008-06-17T11:11:00.008-05:00

As a precursor to the upcoming Glastonbury Music Festival Q Magazine has included a CD of previous Glastonbury performances (mostly from 2007) with their June issue.

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
Paul Weller - The Changingman
The Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger
Cherry Ghost - Mountain Bird
John Fogerty - Bad Moon Rising
Billy Bragg - Sexuality
Seasick Steve - last Po' Man
Goldfrapp - Train
CSS - Off the Hook
Duke Special - Last Night I nearly Died
Amp Fiddler - Possibilities
Tinariwen - Oualahila Ar Tesninam
Beirut - Mount Wroclai (Idle Days)
Toumani Diabate - Diarabi (aka Jarabi)

Jumbo Frank

2008-06-17T10:38:00.008-05:00

This month saw the release of a deluxe edition of Amy Winehouse's Frank album that originally came out in 2003. This reissue has an extra disc chock full of demos, b-sides, and remixes. The bonus tracks include;

Take the Box (original demo)
You Sent Me Flying (original demo)
I Heard Love is Blind (original demo)
Someone To Watch Over Me (original demo)
What It Is (original demo)
Teach Me Tonight (hootenanny)
'Round Midnight (b-side)
Fool's Gold (b-side)
Stronger Than Me (Later with Jools Holland)
I Heard Love is Blind (live at the Concorde, Brighton)
Take the Box (live at the Concorde, Brighton)
In My Bed (live at the Concorde, Brighton)
Mr Magic (Through the Smoke)(Janice Long session)
(There is) No Greater Love (Janice Long session)
F*** Me Pumps (MJ Cole mix)
Take the Box (Seijis Buggin' mix)
Stronger Than Me (Harmonic 33 mix)
In My Bed (CJ mix)

Spoon Session

2008-06-17T10:19:00.002-05:00

A recent Daytrotter session had Spoon doing a cover of Paul Simon's 'Peace Like a River' that was originally on Simon's 1972 self titled album. It is the first appearance of this Spoon version. Also included in the session were versions of the following; The Ghost of You Lingers (from Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga), I Can See the Dude (from Soft Effects), and Back to the Life (from Kill the Moonlight). MP3 downloads can be found at the Daytrotter site.

Double Dose of Justice

2008-06-11T11:55:00.002-05:00

Billy Bragg's new record Mr Love & Justice was released in two forms. One was a standard single CD, while the other was a deluxe two disc version. The first disc, which is the same as the standard release, contains twelve songs performed by Billy Bragg and the Blokes (a backing band that includes Ian McLagan of the Small Faces and Lu Edmonds of the Mekons). The second disc contains all of the songs from the album but are solo versions done by Billy.

Do I Smell a Fire?

2008-06-09T23:41:00.004-05:00

After a bout with illness and a hospital stay, J. Spaceman and his outfit Spiritualized are back with a new record called Songs in A & E. They have also released a single for the song 'Soul on Fire'. This single includes two b-sides. One is their version of Daniel Johnston's 'True Love Will Find You In The End' and the other is 'Harmony 2 (And Then A Miracle Occurs)'.

Same As It Never Was

2008-06-07T10:08:00.006-05:00

London hip-hop/jazz/electronic outfit The Herbaliser released their new record Same as it never was last week. The aptly titled album sees the group going in a new direction. Originally a duo (Ollie Teeba and Jake Wherry) that brought in a large number of guests for their records, the group has expanded to a five members who are now employing more of a live sound. The result is a record that has more of a funk sound than previous efforts. There is a free MP3 for the song "You're not all that" that the band has posted at a microsite http://www.same-as-it-never-was.com/.

Return of the Modfather

2008-05-28T23:55:00.006-05:00

Next week sees the release of Paul Weller's new record 22 Dreams in the UK. The record however won't see release until July in the USA. This week, the first single, "Have You Made Up Your Mind" was released on CD as well as two different 7" singles. Each has b-sides that won't be available on the full length. The first 7" contains the b-side "Echoes Round the Sun (Radio Edit)." The second 7" contains the b-side "Rip the Pages Up (Brendan Lynch Mix)." And the CD single contains two songs; Echoes Round the Sun (Radio Edit) and Rise and Fall.

Do the Sparks

2008-05-26T13:42:00.004-05:00

Detroit natives The Dirtbombs who released a new full length record this year called We Have You Surrounded have also released a 7" single. Both songs are covers of songs by Sparks. The single is thus appropriately titled The Dirtbombs play Sparks. Side A is a cover of "Sherlock Holmes" which is on the full length record and side B is a cover of "Nothing to Do." More information at In the Red Records.

GBV Inc.

2008-05-22T17:28:00.003-05:00

The first release from Bob Pollard's new label, Guided By Voices Inc., is an exclusive web EP entitled Weatherman and Skin Goddess. It is a three song EP that will be available in limited quantities on CD and LP. The first song "Weatherman and Skin Goddess" will be on his upcoming album Robert Pollard is Off To Business that will be released on June 3rd. The other two songs are exclusive to this release. They are; Kiss the Quiet Man, and Coat Factory Zero. More information at Rockathon Records.

Ladies and gentlemen, The Suburbs have re-entered the building

2008-05-18T11:23:00.003-05:00

In a perfect example of how difficult it is to hear about everything you might be interested in, I give you High Fidelity Boys 1979, a Suburbs live CD that was released by the Garage D'or Recording Company back in 2006. Not only did I not hear a peep about this CD in the press, I never heard that the folks who ran a great record store in Minneapolis (the Garage D'or) had started up a record label after closing the store. And while they are releasing some new material, it is the releases from past great Minneapolis artists that had me drooling. Not only was there this release, which was a live show from Jay's Longhorn in 1979 when The Suburbs were more punk than new wave, but they have several other releases. Those include a few live records from the 70's outfit The Suicide Commandos (one from a radio show) and two great Reflex Records compilations that have been long out of print and contain a wealth of riches, including; The Replacements doing Motorhead's "Ace of Spades", Husker Du outtakes from the In a Freeland sessions, and tracks by an early Soul Asylum (when they called themselves Loud Fast Rules). And, if that wasn't enough to interest you, on the Garage D'or website they mention that this year will see a release of early Husker Du demos from 1979 called First Strike.

Parker's oxymoron

2008-05-14T17:38:00.009-05:00

Graham Parker has released another limited edition live record in his oddly titled "Official Bootleg" series. This one is called Platinum Bastard. It was recorded in 1992 during the Burning Questions tour that had Graham backed by The Small Clubs (which included Jamie Hoover of the Spongetones on guitar as well as; Graham Maybe, Joel Diamond, and Gary Burke) and it is only available from his website. The tracklisting is as follows;

Nothing's Gonna Pull It Apart
Back Door Love
Clear Head
Saturday Nite Is Dead
Empty Lives
Dark Side of the Bright Lights
Canned Laughter
I Don't Know
Dancing For Money
Brand New Book
Long Stem Rose
Oasis
Short Memories
Yesterday's Cloud
Release Me
Mr. Tender
Platinum Blonde
Worthy of Your Love
Love Is a Burning Question

Directions to get a bonus EP

2008-05-11T23:31:00.007-05:00

The Black Angels are set to release their new album Directions To See a Ghost this Tuesday. There is currently a special pre-release offer available through their label Light in the Attic Records where if you purchase the new album, you get an immediate digital download of the record. In addition, when the record is released and CDs are shipped, you will get a bonus limited edition four song EP called Exit which includes the tracks; Surf City (Revisited), Paladin's Last Stand, No Satisfaction, Black Angel Exit/Shine. The last of those four tracks is also available as a bonus track for the iTunes album download. There is also a 7" single for the album track "Doves" which includes the exclusive b-side "Drone (in G# major)" that is available seperately. It is also available as a digital download from eMusic and iTunes.

An extra Konk

2008-05-10T21:14:00.002-05:00

The British band The Kooks have released their second album this last month which is entitled Konk. The title is a reference to Ray Davies' Konk Studios, where the album was recorded. Along with the regular album release there was a special edition 2CD version released. The bonus disc Rak includes the following tracks;

Watching The Ships Roll In
Eaten By Your Lover
No Longer
Fa La La La La
Nothing Ever Changes
By My Side
Hatful Of Love
See The Sun (Alternate Version)
Brooklyn (Home Demo)

A Little Spoonful

2008-05-09T12:44:00.003-05:00

For the past few months, the band Spoon have been posting a free MP3 to their website. There isn't one for the month of May yet, but last month's song is still there. It is "I Turn My Camera On (First Version)." The previous month's download was "Cherry Bomb Country (Demo)" which wasn't very country actually. It was a demo of the song "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" and is actually a different demo version from the one that appeared on the Get Nice! EP that came with inital orders of Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.

More Free Beats

2008-05-06T20:26:00.008-05:00

And the free downloads just keep coming. The Rosebuds have a remix album available as a free download from the Merge Records website. The album is called Sweet Beats, Troubled Sleep (Night of the Furies Remixed) and contains remixes from their 2007 release Night of the Furies. The track list is as follows;

I Better Run - Fire Hazard remix
Get Up Get Out - Justin Vernon of Bon Iver remix
Silence by the Lakeside - Portastatic remix
Silja Line - Radical9 vs. Lovesky remix
My Punishment for Fighting - Wes Phillips remix
Cemetery Lawns - El Venado (El Venado in Space remix)
When the Lights Went Dim - JYU remix
Hold on to the Coat - Luke Warm remix
Night of the Furies - Jimmy the B remix
I Better RunV2 - Roger O'Donnell remix

Free Slip

2008-05-06T18:02:00.010-05:00

While I can't say I'm the biggest Nine Inch Nails fan, I was intrigued to find out that Trent Reznor has decided to put his new album The Slip up on the web as a free download. You can find the link from the NIN website or go to it directly. The ten song album is available in several formats; MP3, M4A, FLAC, and 24/96 WAVE. You can download the MP3s right from the site, but you'll need to use BitTorrent client to get the other formats. A PDF with artwork is also included and there will be CD and vinyl versions in the future. Unlike last year's Radiohead online release, Mr. Reznor is not asking for for you to pay what you'd like (where you could have paid nothing), he is making the downloads completetly free without suggesting you should pay something. Track listing for the record is as follows;

999,999
1,000,000
Letting You
Discipline
Echoplex
Head Down
Lights In the Sky
Cornoa Radiata
The Four of Us Are Dying
Demon Seed

An Oddity from the Odd Couple

2008-05-06T00:06:00.005-05:00

"The Odd Couple" Gnarls Barkley have released a limited edition vinyl version of their new album that is indeed odd in that it contains a bonus LP of the entire album ... played backwards. Tracks on the second record are as follows;

Elpuoc Ddo Eht

SIDE A
01. Retteb Elttil
02. Srobhgien
03. Yram Dnilb
04. Swonk Ehs
05. Noos Emit On
06. Esirprus

SIDE B
07. Revetahw
08. Koob Nepo
09. Rellik Eb Dluow
10. (Retsasid Larutan A M’I) Nur
11. No Gniog
12. Lous Ym Evas Annog S'ohw
13. Esac Ytirahc

Hitcthcock & Lowe Split 7"

2008-05-05T22:48:00.007-05:00

A limited edition split 7" was released by Yep Roc to commemorate three recent sold out shows that Robyn Hitchcock and Nick Lowe did together. The single will only be available at the Yep Roc website and at Hitchcock or Lowe live shows. One side contains the song "Sicky Boy" by Robyn that is from his unreleased Little Pink recording sessions while the other side is a live version of Lowe's "Heart of the City" that was recorded live at WFUV in 2007.

Strange Times Indeed

2008-04-29T22:31:00.006-05:00

The Black Keys who recently released their new album Attack & Release have also quietly put out a 7" single for the song "Strange Times." The single includes a b-side that is not on the album entitled "Something on Your Mind." That song is credited to Dino Valenti, a one-time member of Quicksilver Messenger Service and was previously recorded by Karen Dalton.

Update: There is also a bonus track available through iTunes called 'Mr. Dibbs "Fight for Air" Mash-Up.'

New Costello release will include CD version

2008-04-26T23:06:00.004-05:00

A lot of press in the last month touted that the new Elvis Costello & the Impostors record Momofuku would only be released on vinyl, with a free digital download and that there would be no CD release. It was seeming that you'd either buy the vinyl (with the free MP3 downloads) or get it directly from an online download store. The album was released on April 22nd. But, now apparently a CD version will be released by Lost Highway on May 6th. What a perfect way to drum up press. Announce that you're going to be bold and skip a CD release, and then release it on CD anyway. Tracks for the new record include;

No Hiding Place
American Gangster Time
Turpentine
Harry Worth
Drum and Bone
Flutter and Wow
Stella Hurt
Mr. Feathers
My Three Sons
Song With Rose
Pardon Me Madam, My Name Is Eve
Go Away

Color Me Impressed?

2008-04-20T02:47:00.027-05:00

This week (April 22nd to be precise) sees the reissue of the Replacements first three Twin/Tone albums (and one EP). Although these very albums were remastered and reissued back in 2002, this round of reissues is being done by Rhino records and will contain several outtakes, alternate versions and demos which will be of great interest to fans of the Mats. These reissues have been in the works for a few years now, so I'm glad to see them finally arrive. I thought I read at one time that Westerberg did not want to reissue the records with any additional material, but either I was mistaken or time has changed his opinion.

Reissues for the band's Sire albums are scheduled for this coming October.

Here is a list of the bonus tracks for the reissues (previously unissued tracks marked with *):

"Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out the Trash":

"Raised in the City," live, 1980 - demo*

"Shutup," live, 1980 - demo*

"Don't Turn Me Down," live, 1980 - demo*

"Shape Up," live, 1980 - demo*

"You Ain't Gotta Dance," studio demo*

"Get on the Stick," studio demo*

"Oh Baby," studio demo*

"Like You," outtake*

"Get Lost," outtake*

"A Toe Needs a Shoe," outtake*

"Customer," alternate take*

"Basement Jam," rehearsal*

"If Only You Were Lonely"

"Stink":

"Staples in Her Stomach," outtake*

"Hey, Good Lookin'," outtake*

"(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock," outtake*

"You're Getting Married," solo home demo*

"Hootenanny":

"Lookin' for Ya"

"Junior's Got a Gun," outtake - rough mix*

"Ain't No Crime," outtake*

"Johnny Fast," outtake - rough mix*

"Treatment Bound," alternate version*

"Lovelines," alternate vocal*

"Bad Worker," solo home demo*

"Let It Be":

"20th Century Boy"

"Perfectly Lethal," outtake*

"Temptation Eyes," outtake*

"Answering Machine," solo home demo*

"Heartbeat -- It's a Lovebeat," outtake - rough mix*

"Sixteen Blue," outtake - alternate vocal*

Burnin' it for You

2008-04-15T21:24:00.006-05:00

Marty Willson-Piper, guitarist of The Church will be releasing his first new solo album of new material in five years later this month. The album is titled Nightjar. Along with the new album, Marty is releasing a limited edition EP called Pegasus which will consist of three MP3s. The first two will be songs from the album; No One There, and Lullaby for the Lonely. The third song will not be available elsewhere and is entitled "Dressed Up as You." The EP will be a total homemade job in that Marty himself will be burning and numbering the discs. The cover art will be a print of one of his drawings that he will glue to a paper CD sleeve and the discs will all be hand written. The first 50 will be signed and given away for free to those who pre-ordered the full length CD. Ordering information at the Church's official website.

Mekons Side Project #5002

2008-04-12T17:38:00.012-05:00

Another Mekons side project sees Jon Langford collaborating with artist Christine Tarkowski. Okay, so this one came out last year, but I didn't hear about it until recently and just ordered it. It is a 7" single entilted Thirsty Woman If You Drink This Water You'll Never Be Thirsty Again. The single is just a part of larger project Tarkowski was working on called Whale Oil, Slave Ships and Burning Martyrs. That exhibition showed last fall at the Priska C. Juschka Fine Art gallery in New York. The title of the exhibit is also one of the song titles on the single. The other is "Fuel & Faith." More info can be found at Bloodshot Records website.

Work it Mr. Davies

2008-03-31T23:29:00.004-05:00

Ray Davies released a record last October called Working Man's Cafe that originally was distributed with the Sunday Times in the UK. A day latter it was released (with two extra songs) officially. But, the record has been a bit hard to come by in the US as it wasn't released here and wasn't available for download from iTunes. New West Records took care of that issue last month. Those who already snagged a copy of the UK release or the one that came with the Sunday Times (that could be found on eBay) might not be excited to pony up more money for the New West version, but they will be interested in the fact that it adds four extra songs; Angola (Wrong side of the law), I the Victim, Vietnam Coyboys, and The Voodoo Walk. What's even more interesting is that there is a deluxe edition that comes with a DVD of Americana: A Work in Progress which was a film shot by Ray back in 2001 on his Storyteller tour as he traveled around the US right after 9/11.

Mekons side project #5001

2008-03-29T02:38:00.002-05:00

The London band Little Sparta has released a CD single on The Grey Gallery that includes vocal performances from Mekon Sally Timms. It is only a two song single and the tracks are; Best Intentions, and Silenus. Violinist Susie Honeyman is a member of the band Little Sparta and has also been a long time Mekon.

Busking for Change

2008-03-22T22:39:00.005-05:00

To continue the Mike Doughty thread here, apparently certain retailers have a bonus EP called Busking included with purchase of his new full album Golden Delicious. One such online store that has this limited bonus EP is Insound.com. The EP was recorded down in the subway where Doughty once had busked when he was 19. Apparently this time around he made a whole $3.10 while playing. The EP contains all the expected subway noise and conversations with passersby. Track listing is as follows;

Looking at the World From a Bottom of a Well
F Train
The Only Answer
40 Grand
Sunkeneyed Girl

Ruby Vroom in the Blue Room

2008-03-19T23:08:00.005-05:00

Former Soul Coughing front man Mike Doughty who has a new release out this month called Golden Delicious recently recorded a session for the AT&T Blue Room. The Blue Room session consists of some acoustic performances and an interview that can be streamed. There is both audio and video of the performance. Doughty has put out several limited live recordings (both digitally and on CD) in recent years for the fans. So, I guess I can cut him some slack over his re-release of Smofe & Smang: Live from Minneapolis, where he retitled it Half Smofe and cut out nearly half the songs. Yeah, that's what I like, paying full price for half an album.