Rapper Aesop Rock and illustrator Jeremy Fish have collaborated on a new limited-edition book aimed at adults but crafted as an old-school children's book, complete with a seven-inch record that tells the reader when to turn the page with the beat. Entitled The Next Best Thing, the Upper Playground release deals with the "creative block" that all artists go through. Fish's artwork is amazing - check out (http://www.sillypinkbunnies.com) - and catch his work on tour this summer and fall in art galleries in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Philadelphia.
More kiddie keen has just been released from Debi Derrybeery in What a Way to Play! on the toddler-tantalizing 4River Records. Just as Nancy Cartwright voices Bart Simpson on TV, Derryberry also helps reduce the demand for Hollywood eunuchs, as she's also the voice of Nickelodeon's Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. Load up the minivan 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. Next week 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 recognizable is Tori Amos, a longtime fan, alongside contributions by Thea Gilmore, Future Bible Heroes, Razed in Black, ThouShaltNot, and Voltaire. Amos and Gaiman are also featured in the new issue of Marvel Spotlight, the Marvel Comics magazine, in a six-page interview with editor John Rhett Thomas.
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 that surround 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 three and four offer each album's respective collection of demos, Homespun and Homegrown. 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, and new liner notes and complete lyrics in a 64-page booklet.
Fans of Devendra Banhart who answered his request to send photos of themselves might find their own mugs on a new LP edition of last year's Cripple Crow CD. Next Tuesday XL Recordings issues the album in a special gatefold sleeve, with a new cover-art collage of photos selected by Banhart.
Television Alert:
The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes The Wreckers this evening; Late Night with Conan O'Brien hosts Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials this evening overnight, David Lee Roth on Thursday overnight, and Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs on Friday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly features Ben Harper all this week, K.T. Tunstall on Monday overnight, and Alien Ant Farm on Tuesday overnight; Jimmy Kimmel Live boasts the Eagles of Death Metal on Friday overnight and Wicked Wisdom on Tuesday overnight; 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, July 18:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change.
Lily Allen - Alright, Smile (Regal/Parlophone)
Scott H. Biram - Graveyard Shift (Bloodshot) psychobilly gospel from his rockin' pulpit in Austin, Texas
Michael Brook - RockPaperScissors (Big Helium)
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
DJ Screw - The Untold Story (Oar Fin) featuring a bonus CD, The Screwed Up Click: Making History
Feist - Open Season (Cherry Tree/Interscope) collection of remixes, rarities, and three new songs
Flashlight Brown - Blue (Hollywood)
Forever Changed - Chapters (Floodgate) farewell album from these Florida emo-pop rockers
Franz Ferdinand - "Eleanor Put Your Boots on" (Domino) fourth import-only single from You Could Have It So Much Better
Frost - Milliontown (Inside Out) with Kino guitarist John Mitchell, and Andy Edwards and John Jowitt of IQ
Lisa Germano - In the World Maybe (Young Gods) featuring "Except for the Ghosts," written in the memory of Jeff Buckley
Glory of This - The Lover, the Liar, the Ruse (Indianola) back with a new drummer and guitarist, on the Warped Tour this summer
Golden Smog - Another Fine Day (Lost Highway) featuring a cover of "Strangers" by Dave Davies of the Kinks, and guests 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 the 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 Granddady
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 Taione Davis
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Don't You Fake It (Virgin) currently on this summer's Warped Tour, this melodious buzzcore quintet from Middleburg, Florida, recently wrapped up dates with 30 Seconds to Mars
Rock Kills Kids - Are You Nervous? (Reprise)
Jeremy Spencer - Precious Life (Blind Pig) all new from one of the founding members of Fleetwood Mac
The Strokes - "You Only Live Twice" (RCA) new import-only single, with special guests on the B side
Subnoize Souljaz - Droppin' Bombs (Suburban Noize) incestuous label project with the Kottonmouth Kings, Jared of (hed)pe, Big B, Saint Dog, and more
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"
Twilight Singers - Powder Burns (One Little Indian) special vinyl issue
various artists - Silverware: Audraglint's Fifth Anniversary Compilation (Audraglint) label sampler of 20 exclusive tracks from Tarwater, Charles Atlas, Kid 606, Bugskull, Stars As Eyes, and more, featuring a must-hear cover of the Yes hit "Owner of a Lonely Heart" by Grizzly Bear
