Sleepy Brown

New Releases: Killers, Beck, Evanescence, Jet, Sleepy Brown & More

03 Oct 2006 06:02:00 EDT

Also due Tuesday: Monica, Pepper, Decemberists, Sean Lennon, Kooks, Pixies, DFA Remixes: Chapter Two.
By Kurt Orzeck

Sam's Sons: The Killers choked four singles out of their debut, Hot Fuss, which went on to become the longest-running rock album on the Billboard top 50 in 2005 — even though it was released in June 2004. Producers Flood and Alan Moulder are together again for the first time since they worked on Smashing Pumpkins' Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, and with some amusing cowboy imagery à la Muse, the Las Vegas posse is hoping to mine more gold in Sam's Town. Songs include: "Bling (Confession of a King)," "Why Do I Keep Counting?" and "This River Is Wild."

Beck's Back: He's already put out more videos for his new album than some bands put out in their entire careers, but now it's time for Beck to finally deliver The Information. A bonus DVD that comes with copies of the Nigel Godrich-produced disc features all those videos — 15 in total, one for each track — plus stickers to help you build your own album cover. Songs include: "Strange Apparition," "1000BPM" and "Horrible Fanfare/ Landslide/ Exoskeleton."

Girl's Next Door: Amy Lee has some pretty big shoes to fill — her own. Having sold more than 14 million copies worldwide of their debut, Fallen, Evanescence are probably feeling the "Weight of the World," as one of their new songs puts it. You've probably already heard "Call Me When You're Sober," the first single from The Open Door, but keep an ear out for a string section on "Good Enough" — and don't expect a Nirvana cover on Evanescence's similarly titled "Lithium."

Take Off: There's myriad import versions of Jet's Shine On flying around out there. The version issued in their Australia homeland has five extra cuts — including two that appear, oddly enough, at the beginning of the track list. Japanese editions come with a different bonus cut, "Hold On," while most territories also have a limited digipak run, which you should be able to identify by the shrink-wrap.

Don't Sleep: He's cropped up on some major Outkast hits over the years ("The Way You Move," "So Fresh, So Clean"), but it's finally time for Sleepy Brown to rouse the masses with his solo debut. Mr. Brown comes through Big Boi's Purple Ribbon imprint and features a guest spot from the 'Kast member on "Margarita," which Pharrell also supports. Outkast proper appear on the last track, "I Can't Wait," while other songs include "Me, My Baby & My Cadillac," "One of Dem Nights" and "Till (Your Legs Start Shaking)."

Indie-Rock Till You Drop: This is another packed Tuesday for new releases — and one of the most rock-heavy ones in months — but it could also prove to be a watershed week for underground acts on the verge, so to speak. Here are the top 10 indie-rock releases to look for:

The Decemberists' The Crane Wife: Probably the most established indie-rock band putting out new material this week, this Portland, Oregon, troupe is actually doing so on a major label: Capitol. Based on a Japanese children's folk tale, the conceptual LP — co-produced by Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla — actually delves into dark tales of murder on songs like "You'll Not Feel the Drowning."

Various artists' The DFA Remixes: Chapter Two: While various artists are indeed represented here — Nine Inch Nails, N.E.R.D., Hot Chip, Goldfrapp — the emphasis is clearly on the two-man combo that is Death From Above. Many of these mixes by the heralded underground duo are seeing commercial release for the first time.

The Kooks' Inside In/ Inside Out: These Brighton, England, lads have already put out five singles in the U.K., before even issuing their maiden release in the U.S. This LP has already gone double-platinum in the Kooks' homeland, and they've sold out four headlining tours. As Stan Lee would say, 'nuff said.

The Dears' Gang of Losers: Scrolling over to yet another part of the globe, these Montreal musicians actually put three tracks not available on the Canadian version of their LP on the U.S. edition. The band — which openly cites Serge Gainsbourg as a major influence — has shed most of the orchestral elements from 2004's No Cities Left in favor of more basically structured songs, which include "Sinthtro," "Ballad of Humankindness" and "There Goes My Outfit."

Ad Astra Per Aspera's Catapult Calypso: The Lawrence, Kansas, post-punks actually infuse their songs with some Latin and roots sounds on their full-length debut, which features "Scatter Baby Spiders," "The Romantic One" and the epic closer "Flannery's Coming Home." Plus it boasts one of the most colorful album covers hitting stores this week.

Cities' Variations: AAPA have some competition on the post-punk front in this Chapel Hill, North Carolina, gang, which is putting out a remix disc only months after issuing its debut. Ladytron put an electro touch on "Writing on the Wall," while lesser-known acts like Free the Robots and Daedelus also do some retooling. A second remix of "A Theme" was contributed by Mike Westbrook, who got a spot on the disc after winning a contest on the Yep Roc Records Web site.

Thunderbirds Are Now!'s Make History: Detroit may have had some bad news over the weekend, what with its Tigers having lost their grip on the AL Central division title, but hopefully the city will find some recompense in the latest opus from these spazz-outs. That it was produced by Enon's John Schmersal and mixed by Les Savy Fav's Syd Butler should give you an idea of what to expect: 11 tracks of odd fits and starts, burps and farts.

The Meeting Places' Numbered Days: Recorded in conjunction with the Ship — an Elephant 6-like group of Los Angelinos that includes Earlimart — the band's second album was captured by Grandaddy's Jim Fairchild. Blending piano and glockenspiel with kraut sounds and noise-pop, Numbered Days includes "Cardboard Robot," "Love Like the Movies" and "Mumble."

Planes Mistaken for Stars' Mercy: Hop over to Denver for a louder dose of rock on songs like "Killed by Killers Who Kill Each Other," "Little Death" and "To Spit a Sparrow." Produced by Matt Bayles of Mastodon and Isis note, the CD is also adorned with glorious artwork by Pig Destroyer collaborator Chris Taylor.

The Hold Steady's Boys and Girls in America: No, proceeds from this disc do not go toward the Boys & Girls Club — the title is actually a line from Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" — but don't let that stop you from picking up these 11 passels of spunky rock. This CD actually serves as the masthead for BoysandGirlsinAmerica.com, an online community through which the band is encouraging fans to submit video about "Your first date to your worst date, your party fouls and your massive nights."

Song Title of the Week:

"Melody With Balls" from Warpig's Warpig

Other Notables:

Pepper's No Shame: With their single "Your Face" figuratively blowing up at radio, the Los Angeles-via-Hawaii band is ready for its frenzied fanbase to spice up the mainstream. Recent tours with 311 and the Wailers surely planted some seeds of interest among reggae-rock aficionados, but in case that didn't do the trick, Nick Hexum produced the effort, while No Doubt's Tony Kanal lends some bass parts.

Sean Lennon's Friendly Fire: Boasting contributions from such random guests as Jon Brion, Bijou Phillips and Cibo Matto's Yuka Honda, perhaps the only thing stranger about this set is the motley crew that appears on the companion DVD's short film: Carrie Fisher, Asia Argento and Lindsay Lohan. Lennon covers Marc Bolan and conjures images of "Dead Meat" on his first album in eight years, but plays fewer instruments than he did on his solo debut, Into the Sun.

Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3's Olé! Tarantula: Hitch recruited one-half of R.E.M. — Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey — for what he's calling the "rockingest record I've made in years." Kurt Bloch of the Fastbacks acts as engineer, while many other guests are also along for the ride: Soft Boys Morris Windsor and Kimberly Rew, plus members of Harvey Danger and Presidents of the United States of America. Those who preordered were gifted with a bonus disc with live tracks and more.

New Releases:

Ad Astra Per Aspera - Catapult Calypso (Sonic Unyon)
Oleta Adams - Christmas Time With Oleta (Koch)
Akron/ Family - Meek Warrior (Young God)
Akwid - E.S.L. (UniVision)
Amon Amarth - With Oden on Our Side (two CDs; Metal Blade)
Buy Now: With Oden on Our Side (Metal Blade)
Trey Anastasio - Bar 17 (Red Ink)
Buy Now: Bar 17 (Red Ink)
Badi Assad - Wonderland (Deutsche Grammophon)
Beck - The Information (Geffen)
Read: "Beck Giv

Related Artists
- The Killers
- Beck
- Evanescence
- Jet
- Jet

For The Record: Quick News On Lindsay Lohan, Beyonce, Mase, Sleepy Brown, No Doubt, Outkast, Hoobastank & More

12 May 2004 17:16:00 EDT

By MTV News staff report

The 2004 MTV Movie Awards got a lot meaner on Thursday (May 13). The cable outlet announced that "Mean Girls" star Lindsay Lohan will host this year's ceremony, which airs on June 10. D12, the Beastie Boys and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have already been announced as performers for the show. ...

Beyoncé is writing a song for the new Earth, Wind & Fire album, which is due by the end of the year. Beyoncé's father, Mathew Knowles, signed the influential soul band to a new label he recently started. EW&F are also scheduled to record with Sleepy Brown, Pharrell Williams, Angie Stone and Floetry. ... The rumors about Mase's return to rap are no longer rumors. Radio personality Wendy Williams played a Mase track on New York radio station WBLS on Wednesday (May 12) called "Welcome Back," where the rapper rhymes about being welcomed back to the game with open arms. "I'm making money man, without the coca/ Living la vida, without the loca," he raps before singing a chorus reminiscent of the theme song from the 1970s show "Welcome Back, Kotter." ...

BET announced the nominees for the BET Awards '04 on Wednesday (May 12). Outkast raked in six nominations, including nods for both "The Way You Move" and "Hey Ya!" in the Viewer's Choice and Video of the Year categories. Usher got four nominations, including Video of the Year and Best Male R&B Artist, while Beyoncé received five, spanning both music and acting categories, including a nomination for Best Actress. The awards show will be telecast live from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre on June 29 at 8 p.m. ET. ... John Whitehead, one half of the R&B duo McFadden & Whitehead, was shot dead Tuesday in Philadelphia while working on a car on the side of a road. Another man with Whitehead was also shot but is in good condition. McFadden & Whitehead were discovered by Otis Redding and scored a hit in 1979 with the disco-influenced R&B song "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now." Police do not have a motive or suspects in the shooting. ...

No Doubt are auctioning tickets for their upcoming tour to raise funds for Amnesty International's Music for Human Rights initiative. Auction winners will receive two tickets to dates on their tour with Blink-182, two meet-and-greet passes, and signed CDs from both bands. No Doubt released a statement saying that they support Amnesty International's "efforts to secure freedom and equality for every human being on the planet," saying their work "lends a voice to those in need and is an inspiring source of hope for all." You can find the auction at ebay.com. ... Founding guitarist Jacques Brautbar has parted ways with Phantom Planet. In an online post, Brautbar claimed his decade with the band had been extraordinary. ...

A videotape of Vancouver constable Reginald Forster smashing Guns N' Roses fan Robert Parent in the face with his baton was shown Tuesday at the opening of a public inquiry into the police's conduct during the riot that followed a canceled GN'R concert in November 2002. Forster's lawyer argued that his client was really aiming for Parent's shoulder. Although an internal police investigation determined Forster and fellow constable Ryan D'Ononfrio acted appropriately, police complaint commissioner Dirk Dyneveld called for the public hearing. ... Limp Bizkit, Hoobastank and Lenny Kravitz will play on the opening episode of the WB series "Pepsi Smash," now in its second season. The series will premiere May 27. ...

Somebody's rock and roll fantasy is coming true in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on June 26 and 27, when Velvet Revolver and the Darkness headline the inaugural Fantasy Island Festival at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. Fountains of Wayne and Robert Randolph and the Family Band are also on the bill. ... Punk stalwart Henry Rollins announced Wednesday that he will head out on a USO/ Armed Forces Entertainment tour during May's National Military Appreciation Month. This is Rollins' second stint with the USO; his first was in December when he traveled to Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Qatar to meet the troops. ...

The flamboyant Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs has directed the new Liars video, "We Fenced Other Gardens With the Bones of Our Own." O's beau is Liars singer Angus Andrew. ... Ras Kass filed a lawsuit Monday against Priority Records, Capitol Records, EMI Music and two Priority executives, claiming breach of contract, unfair competition, restraint of trade and other abuses. Among the rapper's various claims is that he has only received $100,000 during the nine years since he signed with the label conglomerate. He is also accusing the labels of failing to market and promote his first two albums and sabotaging the release of subsequent projects. ...

Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson has been given a trial date of June 14 for his battery case in Naples, Florida. Lifeson is accused of fighting with police officers and pushing a cop down a flight of stairs on New Year's Eve. The guitarist will try to postpone the scheduled trial because Rush will be on the road at that time and more discovery needs to be done for the case. ... Zak Starkey, son of former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, will play drums for Beatles fanatics Oasis when the band headlines the Glastonbury Festival next month. Noel Gallagher told the British Broadcasting Corp. that Starkey has been one of several drummers recording with the band since Alan White was asked to leave in January. As for Starkey's chances of becoming a permanent member, Gallagher said, "If he can get us his dad's autograph, he's in." ...

What could be a second Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is opening early next year in downtown Phoenix. The museum, which will host traveling displays, will be housed in a building near America West Arena for at least five years, with the option to become permanent if the hall is well attended. The original museum is in Cleveland. ... Ministry have hired Bryan Kehoe as the band's newest guitar player. He will join Al Jourgensen and Mike Scaccia in a three-pronged attack onstage with Ministry and in the studio with the Revolting Cocks. Earlier this year, bassist John Monte was hired after longtime member Paul Barker left the group. ...

Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler has had a scholarship named after him by the Berklee College of Music. The Steven Tyler Online Scholarship Program will provide talented musicians across the world with the opportunity to attend the prestigious music school. ... Billy Corgan is giving away a Grammy — to a high school in Chicago. The Neuqua Valley High School, designated a Grammy Signature School for their band, choir and orchestra students by the Grammy Foundation, will be presented with the award — and $5,000 — on May 25 by Corgan, who will also give them a private concert. He plans to perform his latest solo material. ...

05.11.2004

Irv Gotti pleaded not guilty and was given a one-year deferred prosecution last week in California's Alameda County, stemming from an August incident in which he was arrested for possessing ecstasy and Viagra. Under California law, if Gotti stays out of trouble for a year, the arrest will be wiped from his record. ...

The first single off the soundtrack to the upcoming Halle Berry flick "Catwoman" will be a remix of the Young Gunz's "Grown Man." The track, which was produced by Kanye West, also features an appearance by John Legend. ... Destiny's Child will reunite in the studio June 1 to begin recording their first album in three years. The LP is scheduled for release in November. ...

Pharrell Williams produced the song where Jay-Z coined the phrase "grown and sexy," and now the Neptunes producer is working on an album that's tailor-made for adults. Williams has joined the roster of collaborators for Sleepy Brown's summer debut, For the Grown and Sexy. Outkast are also featured on the project. ... Jay-Z will be among the artists honored at ASCAP's 17th annual Rhythm and Soul Music Awards on June 28 in Beverly Hills, California. Rick James will also receive a special award. ...

As if "Truth or Dare" weren't enough, Madonna's delving back into documentary fare once again, this time with director Jonas Akerlund. The singer has already started shooting for the untitled project, which will chronicle her upcoming tour and the "new" Madonna, among other things. She plans to release the documentary in theaters, her spokesperson said. ... Eighties icons Duran Duran have begun to track their new album in London. All five original members are holed up with producer Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Good Charlotte) and hope to have the fruits of their labor out this fall. ...

Scott Weiland appeared in a Los Angeles court Tuesday (May 11) to address driving-under-the-influence-of-drugs charges against him, but the case was postponed until June 9. Meanwhile, in a move reminiscent of his bandmates' former frontman, Axl Rose, the Velvet Revolver singer has once again lashed out on the band's Web site against a few rock writers, this time from Revolver and Maxim, threatening to give smack-downs to each and "no more interviews" to other reporters. Weiland, who previously took issue with Rolling Stone, took umbrage with Maxim's description of his "boozy charm" and retorted, "Unless you were born yesterday, you would know I was a dope

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