XTC fanatics, get ready to call in for a little of that sick time, as next Tuesday co-founder Andy Partridge releases a stunning nine-CD box set, Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album, on his own Ape Records imprint. More than 100 songs are spread over the discs, collecting demos, outtakes, and other odd versions of XTC sessions during the band's Virgin Records years. Crafted to replicate the popular postage-stamp-collecting albums of the 1960s, the box contains an oversized booklet featuring his recording philosophy and session memories and a sheet of collectible faux postage stamps that duplicate each CD's design.
Another terrific multi-CD set on the horizon is Epic Legacy's release at the end of this month of The Singles Box from The Clash. All 19 of their original UK-only seven-inch singles will become CD singles in replica cardboard sleeves, including the collectible "Capitol Radio EP" that was given away free in NME. Each CD is expanded with bonus 12-inch versions and other rarities. A nice 44-page booklet is promised, with written contributions from Mike D, Pete Townshend, The Edge, Steve Jones, Ian Brown, Shane McGowan, and many more humbled fans.
If you're dressing up as Star Child, Space Ace, Cat Man, or The Demon this Halloween, there's one more reason to leave the makeup on, as that spooky Tuesday Kiss unveils Kissology: Volume One 1974-1977, a two-DVD box set of four complete concerts, new personal liner notes, early videos, and rare television appearances and interviews including The Midnight Special, The Mike Douglas Show, and Paul Lynde's 1976 Halloween Special.
In other Kiss news, frontman Paul Stanley is releasing his first solo album in 28 years with Live to Win, due October 24 with guitarist John 5 and bassist Bruce Kulick. Five of the 10 songs were co-written with American hit-maker Desmond Child and German hit-maker Andreas Carlsson.
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts Rod Stewart tonight, Ray LaMontagne on Friday, and Fergie on Monday; The Late Show with David Letterman boasts a killer combination of Jerry Lee Lewis and Neil Young this evening, Trey Anastasio on Friday, and Joseph Arthur on Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien shows off Barenaked Ladies on Friday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson presents Billy Bragg this evening overnight; and Austin City Limits captures Ray Davies this weekend.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, October 10:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change.
Michelle Anthony - Frozenstarpeace (MercTwyn Records)
The Awkward Stage - Heaven Is for Easy Girls (Mint) sunny indie pop from Vancouver, produced by New Pornographers drummer Kurt Dahle
The Be Good Tanyas - Hello Love (Nettwerk) with covers of Neil Young's "For the Turnstiles" and Prince's "When Doves Cry"
Buffalo Killers - Buffalo Killers (Alive) lost-in-the-poppies psychedelic blues from Ohio featuring the Gabbard brothers from Thee Shams, storming the walls with a majestic, seductive Southern punch courtesy of master knob-twister John Curley of Staggering Statistics
Jimmy Buffett - Take the Weather with You (Mailboat/RCA) with guests Jake Shimabukuro, Mark Knopfler, Sonny Landreth, and Gomez
Busdriver - "Kill Your Employer (Recreational Paranoia Is the Sport of Now)" (Anti) boom-bippin' first single from his upcoming RoadKillOvercoat album, featuring producer Daedelus
Califone - Roots & Crowns (Thrill Jockey)
Cobra Starship - While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets (Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen) new from Gabe Saporta of Midtown; on tour later this month as a part of the MTV2 "$2 Bill Presents" concert series
Lloyd Cole - Antidepressant (One Little Indian) featuring a cover of Moby Grape's "I Am Not Willing" and guest Jill Sobule
Gong - Acid Mothers Gong: Live in Tokyo (United States of Distribution) recorded in 2004
Great Speckled Bird - Great Speckled Bird (Collector's Choice) CD reissue from 1970 featuring Amos Garrett, Buddy Cage, and Ian & Sylvia, with a bonus live track
Albert Hammond Jr. - Yours to Keep (Rough Trade) import-only solo album from the Strokes' guitarist, with guests Ben Kweller, Sean Lennon, Jody Porter of Fountains of Wayne, and Mikki James of Thin Lizard Dawn
Chris Harford - Looking Out for Number 6 (Chocodog) produced by Dean Ween, my pick of the week may draw comparisons to Bob Dylan's slippery tongue and Neil Young's wistful Laurel Canyon-era and signature blow-your-hat-off guitar tone, but it raises the hairs on the back of my neck
Micah P. Hinson - Micah P. Hinson & the Opera Circuit (Sketchbook/Jade Tree) whisper-quiet heartache featuring string and horn arrangements by Eric Bachmann of Crooked Fingers
King Crimson - The Collectable King Crimson: Volume One (Discipline Global) two-CD set of two 1974 concerts, one in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and the other in Mainz, Germany
King Khan & BBQ Show - What's for Dinner (In the Red) featuring former members of The Spaceshits
Klaxons - Xan Valleys (Modular) wild-ride CD EP of hyper dance-floor conniptions
Kultur Shock - We Came to Take Your Jobs Away (Koolarrow) world music that kicks ass, from a Seattle alumnus of Bosnian, Japanese, Bulgarian, and American members
Kawabata Makoto & the Mothers of Invention - Hot Rattlesnakes (MVD) CD reissue featuring members of Acid Mothers Temple, now with new artwork
Michelle Malone - Sugarfoot (TRL Music) her ninth album
(The) Melvins - (A) Senile Animal (Ipecac) on tour now with Big Business
New Skin - New Skin (Cleopatra) recently touring with synth icon Gary Numan, this UK electro trio brings back those heady, strobe-light nights of the new-wave 1980s
Pilot Scott Tracy - We Cut Loose (Alternative Tentacles)
The Places - Songs for Creeps (High Planes Sigh) from tender folk melodies to big, banging, experimental collages, this cool CD is the fourth album from Amy Annelle's Northwestern mini-collective
Platinum Weird - Make Believe (Interscope) new from Kara DioGuardi and the Eurythmics' Dave Stewart
Robert Pollard - Normal Happiness (Merge) 16 perfect, instantly unforgettable pop songs in 35 minutes from the Guided by Voices founder, produced by Todd Tobias
Pompeii - Assembly (Eyeball) soaring debut from Austin, Texas, that might be the next big thing for the label that launched My Chemical Romance and Thursday
Les Primitifs du Futur - World Musette (Sunnyside) featuring cover art by Robert Crumb, who co-founded this scattin', frolicking concoction with musicians he befriended over 78 RPM records and a love for Gypsy jazz
Emmanuel Santarromana - Fab4Ever (Pschent) super-groovy tribute to a dozen Beatles' classics - dubbed out, tripped up, and super chilled with a variety of vocalists
Sister Hazel - Absolutely (Croakin' Poets/Adrenaline) with guest Shawn Mullins on "Mandolin Moon"
So Percussion - Amid the Noise (Cantaloupe) slow-motion ambient waves and grandfather-clock beats on tour this month with Matmos, featuring a bonus "street walking" DVD
South - Safety in Numbers: South's Tour Diary (Young American) CD and DVD set featuring the group's cover of New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle"
Nikki Sudden - The Truth Doesn't Matter (Secretly Canadian) posthumous release of his final sessions
Tideland - original motion picture soundtrack (Rykodisc) featuring the film's star, Jeff Bridges, in song in "Van Gogh in Hollywood"
various artists - Bloodied But Unbowed: Life in the Trenches (Bloodshot) label-stable DVD featuring three and a half hours of videos and live performances from Graham Parker, Ryan Adams, The Detroit Cobras, Deadstring Brothers, and more
