Unshackled by the restraints of traditional CD manufacturing and distribution, Yep Roc Records is using the "digital-only" delivery model to release a Halloween themed compilation for groovy ghouls. Available only as a download through the label's Web site for a budget price, the 15-track
Rockin' Bones boasts the exclusive "Ghoulman Confidential" by the
Fleshtones, and other tricks and treats from
Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys,
Robyn Hitchcock,
The Minus 5,
Radio Birdman,
Los Straitjackets and more. ... Girl power is in the house on a terrific new triple-CD labor of love from Germany's Chicks On Speed Records. Subtitled "A Guide Through the Real History of Woman's Cutting Edge Music," next week's release of
Girl Monster is a smart, adventurous ride that kicks stupid Lolita-wannabes to the curb showcasing three decades of creative excellence outside the mainstream. All the touchstones represent, from
The Slits and Throbbing Gristle's
Cosey Fanni Tutti to
Björk and
The Raincoats, moving forward through time and technology with
Le Tigre,
Peaches,
Miss Le Bomb,
Delta 5, and
Tina Weymouth of the Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club. With two-thirds of the 60 tracks exclusive to the set, it's hard to pick just a handful of highlights, but
Hotel Motel's swaggering "Sucker Man" and
Juliette & the Licks' "You're Speaking My Language" are on my permanent repeat list. Featuring two huge fold-out posters of text and collage, including liner notes by Lucy O'Brien -- the author of Cyndi Lauper's hit "She-Bop" -- this is an A+ audio history of underground estrogen in action. Highly recommended.
Television Alert
The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes John Legend Wednesday and Beck Monday. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts Marilyn Manson Tuesday. Late Night with Conan O'Brien presents Norah Jones in her side project The Little Willies Wednesday and Cat Power Monday. The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson boasts Corinne Bailey Rae Wednesday and Alice Cooper Tuesday. Jimmy Kimmel Live gets chatty with Justin Timberlake Thursday and Meat Loaf Tuesday. And Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Beck.
New Releases Coming Tuesday
Aiden - Rain in Hell (Victory) CD EP featuring a cover of Billy Idol's "White Wedding" and a bonus DVD with three videos and concert footage from Chicago and Seattle; Amity Lane - The Sound of Regret (Corporate Punishment) featuring Kevin Palmer and Josh Moates of Trust Company; Borat: Cultural Learnings of America Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan stereophonic musical listenings that have been origin in moving film (Downtown/Atlantic) enhanced CD featuring "You Be My Wife" and the entire "humor couch" scene from the film; Burden Brothers - Mercy (Kirtland) new from Toadies vocalist Todd Lewis and Reverend Horton Heat drummer Taz Bentley; Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist (Warner Bros) with guests Annie Hardy of Giant Drag and Serj Tankian of System of a Down; Desmond Dekker - In Memoriam: 1941-2006 (MVD Audio) the final sessions from this Reggae/Ska legend, featuring a new recording of his monster hit, "Israelites," and a cover of Jimmy Cliff's "You Can Get It If You Really Want"; Flavor Flav - Flavor Flav (Drayton Records) solo debut on his artist-controlled imprint, named for his "Yeaaaaah Boyyyyyy!" secret identity, William Drayton; Flotsam and Jetsam - Doomsday for the Deceiver: 20th Anniversary Edition (Metal Blade) remastered reissue of this Metal masterpiece, expanded with bonus demos and unreleased tracks; Happy Feet original motion picture soundtrack (Atlantic) featuring a new song from Prince and a cover of the Beatles' "Golden Slumbers" by k.d. lang; Isis - In the Absence of Truth (Ipecac); KISS - Krazy Killer (Music Video Distributors) DVD featuring Gene and Paul storming the 1994 KISS Konvention in Detroit, retrieving their stolen vintage costumes by force; Nellie McKay - Pretty Little Head (Hungry Mouse/SpinArt) after being freed from her major label deal over creative differences, the highly anticipated album emerges victorious in its originally intended, full 23-song, two-CD glory, featuring duets with k.d. lang and Cyndi Lauper; Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster is Loose (Virgin) with guests Todd Rundgren, Brian May, and Steve Vai, the album's first single is a duet with Marion Rave, "It's All Coming Back To Me Now"; Ms. Fits - Hate Is Your Mistress (Cover Grrl) gotta love this all-girl Misfits tribute band!; My Morning Jacket Okonokos (ATO/RCA) companion DVD; Willie Nelson - Songbird (Lost Highway) produced by Ryan Adams, featuring covers of the Grateful Dead's "Stella Blue" and Gram Parsons' "$1,000 Wedding"; Carey Ott - Lucid Dream (Dualtone) excellent Chicago-based singer/songwriter debut who's recently had his music featured on television's Grey's Anatomy; The Residents - Tweedles (Mute) new noodlings with the Film Orchestra of Budapest housed in a limited-edition hardback book; Joe Satriani - Satriani LIVE! (Red Ink/Epic) two-CD or two-DVD set; Nina Simone - Remixed & Reimagined (RCA Legacy) sexy cool club project with superstar producers DJ Logic, Tony Humphries, Coldcut, Nickodemus and more cutting a new groove from her late 1960's and early 1970's sessions, highlighted by Francois K.'s spin on a cover of The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun"; Steel Pulse - Rasanthology II: The Sequel (United States of Distribution) featuring a cover of Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl"; Sunny Sweeney - Heartbreaker's Hall of Fame (Sunny Sweeney) featuring a cover of Iris Dement's Mama's Opry"; Tea Leaf Green - Rock 'N' Roll Band (Sci Fidelity) live CD or DVD recorded at the Fox Theater in Boulder; To Live and Shave in L.A. - Noon and Eternity (Menlo Park) with guests Andrew W.K., Thurston Moore and Don Fleming; Snowy White and the White Flames - Little Wing (United States of Distribution) four-star expanded domestic re-issue from 1998 from the smokin' British guitarist who's résumé includes stints with Thin Lizzy, Pink Floyd, Al Stewart and Peter Green; The Who - Endless Wire (Republic/Universal); The Wipeouters - P'Twaaang!!! (Cleopatra) surfin' DEVO side project.
