Rapper Aesop Rock and illustrator Jeremy Fish have collaborated on a new limited-edition book aimed at adults, but crafted as an old-school-styled children's book, complete with a 7-inch record that tells the reader when to turn the page. The Upper Playground release, The Next Best Thing, deals with the "creative block" all artists go through. Fish's artwork is amazing -- check out www.sillypinkbunnies.com to see. And catch his work on tour this summer and fall in art galleries in Los Angeles, Dallas and Philadelphia. ... More kiddie stuff comes from Debi Derryberry and her What a Way To Play!, released recently on the toddler-tantalizing 4River Records. Just as Nancy Cartwright voices Bart Simpson on TV, Derryberry also helps reduce the demand for Hollywood eunuchs, voicing Nickelodeon's Jimmy Neutron. Load up the mini-van and sing along with "The Wheels on the Bus" and her cool cover of Harry Nilsson's "Little Cowboy." ... The work of Sandman and Books of Magic author Neil Gaiman has influenced a generation of brainy comic book readers and, not surprisingly, a handful of hip musicians. Tuesday, Dancing Ferret Records releases Where's Neil When You Need Him?, a tribute disc of sorts with 17 songs inspired by his short stories. Most predominately recognizable is Tori Amos, a longtime fan, alongside contributions by Thea Gilmore, Future Bible Heroes, Razed In Black, ThouShaltNot, Voltaire and Cincinnati electronic duo Hungry Lucy. ... It's ecstasy for XTC fans, with next week's domestic issue of the Apple Box set. With 54 tracks spread over four CDs, the TVT Records release collects all the bits and pieces surrounding the band's last two albums, 1999's Apple Venus, Volume One and 2000's Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume Two), originally conceived as a double album set. Discs 3 and 4 ante up each album's respective collection of demos, originally released on Homespun and Homegrown CDs. Housed in a simple white package, the box promises a special access code to two new songs and a free ringtone from the band's Web site, plus new liner notes and complete lyrics in a 64-page booklet.

Television Alert
The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes The Wreckers Wednesday. Late Night with Conan O'Brien hosts Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials Wednesday, David Lee Roth Thursday and Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs on Friday. Last Call with Carson Daly features Ben Harper all this week, KT Tunstall Monday and Alien Ant Farm Tuesday. Jimmy Kimmel Live boasts the Eagles of Death Metal Friday and Wicked Wisdom on Tuesday. And the coolest new stage on the tube, The Henry Rollins Show on the Independent Film channel, presents an intimate performance by Thom Yorke this weekend.

New Releases Coming Tuesday
Lily Allen - Alright, Still (Regal/Parlophone); Scott H. Biram - Graveyard Shift (Bloodshot) Psychobilly Gospel from his rockin' pulpit in Austin, Tex.; Bruce Cockburn - Life Short Call Now (Rounder); Billy Ray Cyrus - Wanna Be Your Joe (New Door) with guests Loretta Lynn, George Jones and Artemis Pyle; Feist - Open Season (Cherry Tree/Interscope) collection of remixes, rarities and three new songs; Frost - Milliontown (Inside Out) with Kino guitarist John Mitchell and Andy Edwards and John Jowitt of IQ; Lisa Germano - In the Maybe World (Young Gods) featuring "Except for the Ghosts," written in honor of Jeff Buckley; Golden Smog - Another Fine Day (Lost Highway) featuring Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Gary Louris of The Jayhawks, Jody Stephens of Big Star and Dan Murphy of Soul Asylum; Nicholas Gunn - Beyond Grand Canyon (Gemini Sun) CD/DVD of the flutist's latest soaring, spiritual and cinematic journey, set to the sweeping photography of Michael Fatali; Helmet ­ Monochrome (Warcon) headlining this summer's Warped Tour with a new drummer and bassist; Lakeside - Fantastic Voyage (Capitol) expanded, remastered CD reissue of this dance floor and roller-rink monster from 1981; Los Lonely Boys ­ Sacred (Or Music / Epic) CD and expanded DualDisc; The Meat Purveyors - Someday Soon Things Will Be Much Worse! (Bloodshot); The Minders - Bright, Guilty World (Future Farmer) featuring members of Apples In Stereo, The Shins and Grandaddy; Monster House ­ original motion picture soundtrack (Varese Sarabande) featuring the new track, "The House Is Alive," by Velvet Revolver; MSTRKRFT ­ The Looks (Last Gang) new from Jesse Keeler of Death From Above 1979; Ozric Tentacles - The Floor's Too Far Away (Magna Carta) featuring limited edition DigiPak packaging in the first pressing; Particle - Transformations Live (Shout Factory) two-CD or DVD, with guests Joe Satriani, Robby Krieger, DJ Logic and Blackalicious; The Pipettes ­ We Are the Pipettes (Memphis Industries) sassy girl-group glee featuring the single "Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me"; Psalm One - The Death of Frequent Flyer (Rhymesayers) with Brother Ali, Ang 13 and Thaione Davis; The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Don't You Fake It (Virgin) currently on this summer's Warped Tour, this melodious buzzcore quintet from Middleburg, Fla., recently wrapped up dates with 30 Seconds to Mars; Jeremy Spencer - Precious Life (Blind Pig) all new from one of the founding members of Fleetwood Mac; Superchick - Beauty From Pain 1.1 (Columbia); Chip Taylor - Unglorious Hallelujah (Back Porch) two-CD set from the songwriter who penned "Wild Thing" and "Angel of the Morning."