While the film won't open until Feb. 18, fans of Dave Matthews should look forward to his acting role in Because of Winn Dixie, playing Otis, a pet store clerk who sings to animals and sets them free. The Nettwerk Records soundtrack (released Jan. 25) features music from the Be Good Tanyas, Emmylou Harris, Leigh Nash of Sixpence None the Richer and a duet featuring Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne and James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins. ...

In other movie news, the Metallica documentary, Some Kind of Monster, was released on DVD Jan. 25 with 40 additional scenes, audio commentary and new interviews. ...

Mercury Rev is set to release their new album, The Secret Migration, here in the U.S. in May, but is joining the download revolution by sneaking out the set early in three separate digital EPs. Part one is available now exclusively through iTunes and parts two and three follow in March and April. ...

Downtown New York City cabaret duo Kiki & Herb spin their unique take on a mother load of covers this coming Tuesday with the release of Will Die For You: At Carnegie Hall. The Evolver Records set features their take on Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill," Eminem's "Lose Yourself," Talking Heads' "Once in a Lifetime," Melanie's "Lay Down," Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart," Gil Scott-Heron's "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," and -- dig this -- the Singing Nun's 1963 hit "Dominique." Guests on one track, "Those Were the Days," include Rufus Wainwright and Jason Sellards of the Scissor Sisters.

Television Alert
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Lyle Lovett Wednesday, Unwritten Law Thursday and Kenny Chesney Tuesday. The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Kaki King Thursday, B.B. King Friday, and Nanci Griffith Tuesday. Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Maroon 5 Tuesday. The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson boasts Razorlight Friday and Scissor Sisters Monday. And Austin City Limits presents The Pixies this weekend on PBS (air times vary).

New Releases Coming Tuesday
and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change ...

Antony & the Johnsons ­ I Am a Bird Now (Secretly Canadian) with guests Devendra Banhart, Lou Reed and Rufus Wainwright; Arena ­ Pepper's Ghost (Inside Out) featuring cover art by children's book illustrator David Wyatt; Athlete ­ Tourist (Astralwerks) new import-only album from these Mercury Music Prize nominees; Terry Bozzio ­ Prime Cuts (Magna Carta) collection of previously unreleased sessions with Steve Stevens, Tony Levin, Jordan Rudess and more; Built Like Alaska ­ Autumnland (Future Farmer) recently found with two songs in the indie film Ellie Parker; Bobby Caldwell ­ Perfect Island Nights (Sindrome) featuring a cover of Donny Hathaway's "Where Is the Love?" with Deniece Williams; Chiara Civello ­ Last Quarter Moon (Verve) sung in three languages and featuring one song co-written with Burt Bacharach; Jeff Coffin Mu'tet ­ Bloom (Compass) solo album from the Bela Fleck and the Flecktones' saxophonist, with guests DJ Logic and Victor Wooten; Bill Connors ­ Return (Tone Center) all new from the Return To Forever guitarist; Happy Apple ­ The Peace Between Our Companies (Sunnyside) Jazz trio featuring drummer David King; Ed Harcourt ­ Strangers (Astralwerks) domestic issue with the USA-only track "Only Happy When You're High"; Jack Logan and the Monday Night Recorders ­ Nature's Assembly Line (Orange Twin); Cass McCombs ­ PREfection (Monitor) touring soon with Modest Mouse; Kylie Minogue ­ Ultimate Kylie (Capitol) hits collection featuring the new song "I Believe In You," written and recorded with Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters; Jason Moran ­ Same Mother (Blue Note) featuring his Jazz piano cover of Albert King's "I'll Play the Blues for You"; Mötley Crüe ­ Red, White & Crüe (Hip-O) two-CD live set featuring bonus remixes and a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Street Fighting Man"; Pilot Scott Tracy ­ Any City (Alternative Tentacles) featuring former members of The Causey Way; Henry Rollins ­ Shock & Awe (Image) DVD of his recent spoken word tour, commenting on his observations from his USO tour of Afghanistan and Iraq; RPWL ­ World Through My Eyes (Inside Out) fourth original album from this former Pink Floyd cover band, featuring former Genesis vocalist Ray Wilson on "Roses"; Klaus Schulze ­ Mirage and Dreams (Inside Out) CD reissues from 1977 and 1986; Seal ­ Acoustic (Warner Bros) CD or DVD; SNAP ­ The Cult of SNAP! 1990>>2003 (SPV) featuring a second CD of remixes; Snitches Get Stitches ­ I Liked You Better When You Were a Corpse (Empty); Spock's Beard ­ Octane (Inside Out) also available in a special edition with bonus tracks and multimedia goodies like the mellotron-heavy "Listening To the Sky"; Tishamingo ­ Wear N' Tear (Magnitude) featuring a cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Poison Whiskey," the band's name is taken from mythical town in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?; Yuppie Pricks ­ Brokers Banquet (Alternative Tentacles) with guest Jello Biafra on one track.