Project Features All-Star Roster of Singers

This Tuesday brings the new album, Hyacinths and Thistles, from The 6ths - the new project of Stephen Merritt of The Magnetic Fields. The Merge Records release is an unusual collaborative effort with different guest vocalists on each track performing in the European "chanson" cabaret style. These special guests include from Sally Timms of the Mekons, 1960s' pop star Melanie, Clare Grogan of Altered Images, Bob Mould of Husker Du, Miho Hatori of Cibo Matto, legendary folk/gospel singer Odetta, Sarah Cracknell of St. Etienne, Katherine Whalen of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Marc Almond of Soft Cell, Gary Numan, and more. ... The Recordhead/Fading Captain imprint out of Indianapolis, Indiana, has announced the release of a four-CD box set of rarities from Guided By Voices. The labor-of-love collection features 100 songs that span 25 years of lo-fi and hi-fi recordings and a book of rare photos, hand-written lyrics, set lists, and fan-boy gushing. Look for it to hit shelves September 19 under the title Suitcase: Failed Experiments and Trashed Aircraft. ... Oddball salutes and cover-track tributes roll on with the King getting the electro-freaked 'n' tweaked treatment in mid-September. The Invisible label is set to unleash their Nine Inch Elvis project, with 10 classic Presley tracks covered in a modern hard electronica style via the keyboard cacophony of the self-titled band - made up of members of Nitzer Ebb and Skrew. Also frolicking in the cover kingdom is the recently released Right In the Nuts two-CD set from the Small Stone label, dishing up 27 of Aerosmith's best by a select handful of today's stoner-rock and garage-rock hedonists. Some of the sludgy stewed riff-rawk found within comes from the Dale Crover (of the Melvins) side project Altamont, Atomic Bitchwax featuring Ed Mundel of Monster Magnet, Alabama Thunder Pussy, Puny Human, Raging Slab, Five Horse Johnson, and more. ... Modern drumming enthusiasts might want to make the trek to Louisville, Kentucky this coming Saturday, September 2, as Terry Bozzio of Missing Persons fame takes center stage with the Louisville Ballet Company. The Free Form 2000 festival, as it's being called, features dancers improvising with Bozzio's amazing prowess. The Amsterdam Philharmonic in Holland has Bozzio's next stop in his "high brow" tour, as he will perform with them later in the month.

Television Alert
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Busta Rhymes tonight, the Blue Man Group on Thursday, Stone Temple Pilots on Friday, Dogstar on Monday and Sixpence None the Richer on Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien hosts Guided By Voices on Thursday overnight and Louden Wainwright III on Friday overnight; and The Today Show features new music from Paul Simon on Tuesday and Wednesday morning next week.

New Releases Coming Tuesday, September 5: and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change ... .

Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker (Bloodshot) new solo album from the Whiskeytown founder featuring guest vocals from Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, and Kim Ritchey
Richard Ashcroft - "C'Mon People" (Hut) third import-only CD single from the former Verve vocalist's new solo debut album
Bettie Serveert - Private Suit (Parasol)
The Black Heat Procession - Three (Touch & Go)
C-Murder - Trapped in Crime (No Limit/Tru) with guests Snoop Dogg, Silkk the Shocker, Crazy, Magic, and Mystikal
Chris Connelly and the Bells - The Ultimate Seaside Companion (Invisible) re-issue of this 1997 lost gem with 4 bonus tracks featuring a different side of the former Ministry and current Damage Manual front man
Damon & Naomi - Damon & Naomi With Ghost (SubPop)
DJ Disciple - My True Colors (Catch 22)
Eleventh Dream Day - Stalled Parade (Thrill Jockey) features members of Freakwater and Tortoise
Alastair Galbraith - Cry (Emperor Jones) intimate psychedelia from New Zealand
Gipsy Kings - Volare! The Very Best Of (Nonesuch) two-CD set
Groop Dogdill - Every Six Seconds (Beggars Banquet)
Groove Armada - Back To Mine (Ultra) down-tempo mix CD
The Helio Sequence - Com Plex (Cavity Search) cool space-rock pop from Beaverton, Oregon
The Insomniacs - Get Something Going (Estrus) Mod-flavored power-funk from New Jersey
Damien Jurado - Ghost of David (SubPop)
Koufax - It Had To Do With Love (Vagrant) piano-fueled power pop touring with The Get Up Kids this Fall
Mack-10 - The Paper Route (Priority)
Man Or Astroman? - Spectrum Of Infinite Scale (Touch & Go) available on CD or double-10-inch vinyl
Mellow Man Ace - From the Darkness Into the Light (Cleopatra) new from the Latino Rap pioneer with guests Sen Dog, B-Real, and DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill
Mojave 3 - Excuses For Travelers (4AD/Beggars Banquet) new pensive hushed pop from the former members of Slowdive and Chapterhouse with two bonus tracks not found on the import
The Mooney Suzuki - People Get Ready (Estrus)
Youssou N'Dour - Joko (Nonesuch) first U.S. release in six years from the Senegalese singer
The New Amsterdams - Never You Mind (Vagrant) side solo project from Matt Pryors of the Get Up Kids
Nile - Black Seeds of Vengeance (Relapse)
Slumber Party - Slumber Party (Kill Rock Stars) four-piece fem Detroit combo
Starhustler - Songs For Betty (Dirt)
Three Berry Icecream/The Fairways - Permanent Vacation (Dogprint) four-song split CD EP Trans Am - Red Line (Thrill Jockey)
Brian Wilson - Brian Wilson (Rhino) re-issue of his 1988 solo debut with 11 bonus tracks of demos, interviews, and rare singles