LL Cool J’s <i>Todd Smith</i>
Photo: Def Jam

Cool as Ice: He's been there, back, there again and back again a few more times, but LL Cool J apparently still wants all the help he can get. The guest list for his Todd Smith LP speaks to the hip-hop icon's impressive stature: Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez, Jamie Foxx, Teairra Marí, 112, Ginuwine, Freeway, Lyfe, Ryan Roby, Mary Mary and Juelz Santana. That's not to mention producers Jermaine Dupri, the Neptunes, Scott Storch and Bink. Or the extra boost Ne-Yo gives LL with a bonus-track remix of the up-and-comer's "So Sick." Or Jesus, L.A. Reid and his barbers Jay and John, all of whom get props (and with respect to Christ, they are mad props indeed) in the credits.

Judas Mae C a Cutie?: Looking for some indie pop and a few tips on how to shoot a short film? Look no further than Death Cab for Cutie's "Directions" DVD, which is rife with videos — one for each track on the band's recent Plans, plus clips for two unissued cuts — as well as director's instructions, commentary, behind-the-scenes action, original sketches, alternate endings and production stills (each video has at least one bonus feature). The band enlisted a crew of rookie directors to handle the clips, although noted auteur Lance Bangs is the one behind "Talking Like Turnstiles."

L.A. punks the Mae Shi are going a similar route with their first DVD, "Lock the Skull, Load the Gun," for which they enlisted a fleet of art students and friends to direct 32 videos. Their video disc also has a documentary surrounding their Celebration tour, including footage of house parties, bar mitzvahs and other joyous shindigs.

The tone is just slightly more somber on Pimp C's "Pimptaliation" DVD, which, despite the funny title, documents the rapper trying to get back on his feet after being released from jail. Lightening the mood a little are Young Jeezy, Scarface, Lil' Flip and Pimp C's erstwhile UGK bud Bun B, all of whom head to the studio to record with C.

But who's more preoccupied with "breaking the law" than Judas Priest? The metal gods' "Live Vengeance '82" was tucked into limited runs of their 2004 Metalogy box set, but now the video's seeing a proper release as a standalone disc bursting with concert takes of "Screaming for Vengeance," "The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown)" and "Living After Midnight."

Eagles Have Landed ... Again: Some of the new Eagles of Death Metal songs on Death by Sexy sound harmless (and hilarious) enough — "Cherry Cola," "The Ballad of Queen Bee and Baby Duck" — but rest assured, the so-called Dream Boys do have an ulterior motive (see for reference some other Sexy songs, like "I Gotta Feeling [Just Nineteen]" and "Bag O' Miracles"). The LP was recorded in 12 days by Eagles drummer Josh Homme (a.k.a. Carlo Von Sexron, J. Ho or, most recently, Baby Duck) and his Queens of the Stone Age amigo Alain Johannes.

Trackin' All Over the World: Everyone seems to be taking matters into their own hands this week. Ex-Nine Inch Nails drummer Jerome Dillon wrote, produced, performed and arranged almost every note of his new project Nearly's debut, Reminder. Based on a dream that haunted Dillon and broken into three four-song "movements," the record was laid to tape across the globe, from a hotel room in Amsterdam to a beach in Australia.

Another recent globe-trotter is Mr. Anonymous — better known as onetime Samples drummer Jeep MacNichol — who headed to Kingston, Jamaica, three times to craft his eponymous debut. There he hooked up with Sly and Robbie, Bounty Killer and members of Black Uhuru and the English Beat, who helped MacNichol "hang out under the palm trees ... and write lyrics all afternoon."

And there's good reason why the title to the latest effort by Paris' Gotan Project — Lunático — doesn't sound especially French. Not content recording around their villa natale, the quartet hauled its production equipment to Buenos Aires' Studio ION, a throne usually reserved for tango nobility. Ushering in some top Argentinean talent, GP also tapped Calexico for the first jingle, "Amor Porteno."

Speaking of 'Lexico, their fifth opus, Garden Ruin, slides into stores in digipak form and boasts songs like "Letter to Bowie Knife," "Panic Open String" and "Bisbee Blue." CD-buying fans, keep your eyes peeled: The initial pressing of the disc has a code that lets you download exclusive unreleased material online. Vinyl fans, rejoice: The black circle contains the exclusive-tracks code, plus a second code that enables you to download all of Garden Ruin gratis.

Song Titles of the Week:

"." from Pretty Girls Make Graves' Elan Vital

Other notables:

Built to Spill's You in Reverse and Christopher O'Riley's Home to Oblivion: An Elliott Smith Tribute: Fans will surely relate to "The Wait," having been patient for new BTS material for the past five years. But that song is actually featured at the end of the indie-rock heroes' new record; the first cut, "Goin' Against Your Mind," is only a couple of minutes long. Frontman Doug Martsch welcomes new guitarist Jim Roth and an organ-playing Sam Coomes over the course of the 10 tracks, which also includes "Conventional Wisdom," "Just a Habit" and "Mess With Time." Speaking of Coomes, right around the time he started up his still-thriving Quasi in 1996, he partnered with Elliott Smith for a separate project, Heatmiser. As it turns out, Smith is being hailed this week by noted pianist O'Riley, who previously gifted Radiohead with two sets of solo tributes. Hear O'Riley accent the classical-music influences in Smith songs like "Cupid's Trick" and "Stupidity Tries," and read his touching liner-note essay saluting the late, great songwriter.

Imaad Wasif's Imaad Wasif and Mountain Con's Sancho Panza: Occasional Yeah Yeah Yeahs collaborator and tour opener Wasif pulls a self-titled record out of his sleeve this week. Venturing into solo territory for the first time, the Alaska! and New Folk Implosion agent found inspiration in classical Eastern music, Swedish artist Hilma af Klint and a book by Truman Capote to craft songs like "Into the Static," "Tomorrow Is Ours" and "(Dandelion)." Rock band Mountain Con — actually five musicians and one DJ — also go the literary route with Sancho Panza, named after a character from Cervantes' "Don Quixote" who was promised an island for traveling with the klutzy adventurer.

Lucero's The Attic Tapes and Lambchop's The Decline of Country and Western Civilization Part II: The Woodwind Years: The Memphis, Tennessee, country-folk fellas have cranked out five proper releases, but early in their career they eked out a handmade set Alternative Press called "one of the top five home recordings ever." The new, spruced-up version has three additional early demos and two rare 7-inch tracks, including the band's cover of Jawbreaker's "Kiss the Bottle." Over in Nashville, like-minded country-folksters Lambchop have an archival collection all their own (we'll save space by not repeating the title). This set culls singles, B-sides, unreleased tracks and more from the band's 1994-1999 era, and a second comp spanning the latter years is due in the near future.

New Releases:

• The 303s - Lines of Parallel Minds (Cult Hero)
• Aloha - Some Echoes (Polyvinyl)
• Ark - State of the Ark (Rebel Group)
• Attacker - The Unknown (Sentinel Steel)
• Jeff Bates - Leave the Light On (RCA)
• Be Your Own Pet - Be Your Own Pet (Dim Mak)
• The Black Angels - Passover (Light in the Attic)
• Robert Bradley - What About That: New Year's Eve in Bloomington (two-CD live set; Kufala)
• Bratz - Genie Magic (Hip-O)
• Buckcherry - 15 (Eleven Seven)
• Built to Spill - You in Reverse (Warner Bros.)
  Buy Now: You in Reverse (Warner Bros.)
• Bullets and Octane - In the Mouth of the Young (RCA)
• Calexico - Garden Ruin (digipak; Quarterstick)
  Buy Now: Garden Ruin (Quarterstick)
• Crystal Skulls - Outgoing Behavior (Suicide Squeeze)
• The Danger O's - Little Machines (Blackout!)
• Brigitte DeMeyer - Something After All (BDM)
• Dixie Witch - Smoke & Mirrors (Small Stone)
• Drive By - I Hate Everyday Without You Kid (Riot Squad)
• Eagles of Death Metal - Death by Sexy (Downtown)
  Read: "Eagles Of Death Metal Frontman's 'Soft Boomerang Of Love' Takes Center Stage In Clip")
  Buy Now: Death by Sexy (Downtown)
• Eulorhythmics - Extended Play (All Natural)
• Euphoria - Precious Time (digipak; Zoë)
• Feathers - Feathers (Gnomonsong)
• Fightstar - They Liked You Better When You Were Dead (Deep Elm)
• Juan Diego Flórez - Sentimiento Latino (Decca)
• Sue Foley - New Used Car (Ruf)
• Gotan Project - Lunático (XL/ Beggars Banquet)
• Tre Hardson - Slimkid3's Cafe (Reggae Lounge)
• Hit the Lights - This Is a Stick Up ... Don't Make It a Murder (Triple Crown)
• Jesu - Silver (EP; Hydra Head)
• Toby Keith - White Trash With Money (Show Dog Nashville)
• Knights of the New Crusade - Knight Beat(Alternative Tentacles)
• Albert Lee - Road Runner (Sugar Hill)
• LKN - Postulate 1 (Greyday)
• LL Cool J - Todd Smith (enhanced; Def Jam)
  Read: "With Blige, J. Lo, Foxx On Board, LL Cool J's New LP Is A Guest Fest"
  Buy Now: Todd Smith (Def Jam)
• Benny Mardones - Let's Hear It for Love (Warrior)
• Edwin McCain - Lost in America (Vanguard)
• Mecca Normal - Observer (Kill Rock Stars)
• Mint - Magnetism (Funzalo)
• Moneen - The Red Tree (digipak; Vagrant)
• Mono - You Are There (Temporary Residence)
• Mountain Con - Sancho Panza (Hidden Peak)
• Mr. Anonymous - Mr. Anonymous (Kab America)
• Tim Murphy - Ain't No Shame (Big 7)
• Nearly - Straight to Nowhere (Kufala)
  Read: "Ex-NIN Drummer Welcomes You To His Nightmare — Reznor Responds"
• Negative Trend - Negative Trend (2.13.61)
• New Bruises - Transmit! Transmit! (Kiss of Death)
• Lee Newman - Happy Together: The '60s Songbook (SLK)
• On Thorns I Lay - Angeldust (Black Lotus)
• Christopher O'Riley - Home to Oblivion: An Elliott Smith Tribute (World Village)
• Parts & Labor - Stay Afraid (Jagjaguwar)
• Pinetop Seven - Beneath Confederate Lake (Empyrean)
• Grace Potter & the Nocturnals - Nothing but the Water (Hollywood)
• Daniel Powter - Daniel Powter (Warner Bros.)
• Pretty Girls Make Graves - Elan Vital (Matador)
  Buy Now: Elan Vital (Matador)
• Punchline - 37 Everywhere (Fueled by Ramen)
• Raffi - Quiet Time: Songs for a Pause, a Cuddle or a Nap (Rounder)
• Josh Ritter - The Animal Years (digipak; V2)
• Rosesdead - Stages (One Day Savior)
• Saves the Day - Sound the Alarm (Vagrant)
• Mark Schatz - Steppin' in the Boiler House (Rounder Select)
• Scissorfight - Jaggernaut (Tortura)
• Shonen Knife - Genki Shock! (digipak; Glue Factory)
• Throttlerod - Nail (Small Stone)
• Vandermark 5 - Free Jazz Classics Vol. 3 and Vol. 4 (Atavistic)
• Peter Walker - Young Gravity (Dangerbird)
• Imaad Wasif - Imaad Wasif (Kill Rock Stars)
• Whysall Lane - Whysall Lane (Blackball)
• Wilderness - Vessel States (Jagjaguwar)
• Tom Zé - Estudando O Pagode (Luaka Bop)
• Various artists - 5rc Sur la Mer Samp-le-Mer (5 Rue Christine)
• Various artists - Headbangers Ball: The Revenge (two CDs; Roadrunner)
• Various artists - "La Mujer de Mi Hermano" soundtrack (Nacional)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

• Avail - 4AM Friday, Dixie and Over the James (Jade Tree)
• The Beatles - The Capitol Albums Vol. 2 (available as four-disc, limited-edition brick or longbox set)
• Brian Eno + David Byrne - My Life in the Bush of Ghosts (enhanced; Nonesuch)
• Grateful Dead - Built to Last, Dead Set (two CDs), In the Dark and Reckoning (digipaks; Rhino)
• Tish Hinojosa - Retrospective (Varèse)
• Judas Priest - The Essential Judas Priest (two CDs; Columbia/ Legacy)
• Lambchop - The Decline of Country and Western Civilization Part II: The Woodwind Years (Merge)
  Buy Now: The Decline of Country and Western Civilization Part II: The Woodwind Years (Merge)
• Lucero - Attic Tapes (Liberty & Lament)
• Queen - Stone Cold Classics (limited edition; Hollywood)
• Saving Jane - Girl Next Door (Universal)
• Various artists - Journey Into Paradise: The Larry Levan Story (two CDs; Rhino)
• Various artists - The Tommy Boy Story, Vol. 1 (two CDs; Rhino)
• Various artists - Ultimate Disco 2 (Madacy)

DVDs:

• Death Cab for Cutie - "Directions" (Atlantic)
  Read: "Death Cab For Cutie Taking A Page From 50 Cent's Playbook "
• Judas Priest - "Live Vengeance '82" (Columbia/ Legacy)
• The Mae Shi - "Lock the Skull, Load the Gun" (5 Rue Christine)
• Pimp C - "Pimptaliation" (Asylum/ Rap-A-Lot)
• Sun Ra Arkestra - "Live in Oakland" and "Live at the Roadhouse" (Transparency)

Coming Attractions:

April 18:

• The Dresden Dolls - Yes, Virginia ... (digipak; Roadrunner)
• NOFX - Wolves in Wolves Clothing (Fat Wreck Chords)
  Buy Now: Wolves in Wolves Clothing (Fat Wreck Chords)
• Various artists - "Coachella" (Epitaph)

April 25:

• Godsmack - IV (Republic)
  Read: "Godsmack Finishing Up 'Killer' Fourth LP, Working On Football Theme"
  Buy Now: IV (Republic)
• Rihanna - A Girl Like Me (Def Jam)
  Read: "Rihanna Getting In Touch With Her Rock Side For Next LP"
• Taking Back Sunday - Louder Now (Warner Bros.)
  Read: "Taking Back Sunday Say Debuting At #800 Wouldn't Bother Them")

May 2:

• Lil' Flip - I Need Mine (Sony Urban)
• Mobb Deep - Blood Money (Interscope)
  Read: "Mobb Deep, 50 Cent Get Tattoos To Prove Their Loyalty"
• Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam (J)
  Read: "Pearl Jam, Post-'Therapy': 'The Sex Is Better Than Ever!' "
• Thursday - A City by the Light Divided (Island)
  Read: "Thursday Frontman Says He Doesn't Want To Exploit My Chemical Romance, But ..."
• Tool - 10,000 Days (Volcano)

• LL Cool J
• Death Cab For Cutie
• Pimp C
• Eagles Of Death Metal
• Calexico

Avenged Sevenfold's M. Shadows
Photo: Ralph Notaro

Presumably as a Valentine's-Day nod to "Brokeback Mountain," Willie Nelson released a cover of the 1981 song "Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other" via iTunes on Tuesday. The song was written by Texas singer/songwriter Ned Sublette (who has said he always imagined Nelson singing it) and was also covered by '90s gay punk outfit Pansy Division. Nelson's version was debuted on Howard Stern's satellite-radio show on Tuesday. ...

Avenged Sevenfold and Coheed and Cambria have tapped the support acts for their forthcoming co-headlining spring tour. Head Automatica will open on all of the dates between the tour's launch on April 7 in Poughkeepsie, New York, through April 27 in San Jose, California. Eighteen Visions will take over on April 28 in San Diego and stay on through the final scheduled show on May 19 in New York. ...

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta marked the start of Child Passenger Safety Week on Monday by making an example of Britney Spears. "Recent photos of Britney Spears driving with her infant son on her lap are troubling," Mineta said while announcing a new proposal to improve car-seat safety. "And while Ms. Spears has acknowledged her mistake, her actions still send the wrong message to millions of her fans. ... No matter who you are, there's absolutely no excuse for this display — not instinct, not fear, not even reckless paparazzi. It's irresponsible to compromise the safety of a child for the sake of the moment." ...

It's been more than two months since Chris and Irv Gotti were cleared of federal money-laundering charges, but according to Chris Gotti's attorney, Gerald Shargel, there's some unsettled business between his client and the Brooklyn, New York, U.S. attorney's office. The government, he explained, hasn't returned the $35,000 in cash that federal agents seized more than three years ago from a safe inside Chris' office during a raid of the Inc.'s headquarters. The government said the money, sequestered "for evidentiary purposes," would be returned within six weeks. But that deadline passed and the cash remains in an IRS bank account. Last week Shargel filed a motion requesting that the cash be returned. A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney's office could not be reached for comment. ...

Singer Chris and guitarist Rich Robinson will be leaving the rest of the Black Crowes behind to embark on a road trip across the U.S. as a duo. The Robinsons' run of acoustic shows, billed Brothers of a Feather: An Acoustic Evening With Chris and Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes, will feature the pair performing cuts from their catalog, tackling covers and debuting some new Crowes material. The 10-gig trek kicks off April 13 in Brooklyn, New York, and wraps up on April 25 in Los Angeles. ... 3 Doors Down will perform for the general public in the Middle East for the first time on March 16 at the Desert Rock Festival in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The show kicks off a 13-city tour that wraps April 4 in Wolverhampton, England. ...

The Academy Is ... will release an acoustic EP called From the Carpet on various Web sites February 21. The collection includes three tracks from the band's debut album, Almost Here, as well as two new songs and a cover of John Lennon's "Working Class Hero." ... Brooklyn's French Kicks are heading to Los Angeles to begin work on their third full-length, according to their label, Star Time International. The band will once again team with producer Doug Boehm, who helmed the sessions for their 2004 album, The Trial of the Century. The Kicks currently have 16 songs written for the new album, and they hope to have it in stores by the summer. ...

Sinéad O'Connor is going back on the road. She's heading to the U.S. with Sly and Robbie in tow to play more reggae tunes from her album Throw Down Your Arms. O'Connor's seven-city tour kicks off Monday in Houston and wraps up March 1 in San Francisco. ... Built to Spill have rolled out 37 North American tour dates, beginning with a performance in Minneapolis on April 11 — the same day the band's new album, You in Reverse, hits stores. The trek is set to hit Chicago, Detroit, New York, Boston, Dallas and Washington, D.C., before winding down on May 20 in Austin, Texas. You in Reverse, Built to Spill's first LP since 2001's Ancient Melodies of Earth, will contain 10 tracks, including "Goin' Against Your Mind," "Wherever You Go," and "Mess With Time." ...

President Bush presented National Medals of Science and Technology to 15 honorees Monday, including a leader in organ-transplant advancements, the developer of a high-yield wheat that could feed millions around the world — and "Star Wars" director George Lucas. Lucas accepted the medal on behalf of his Industrial Light and Magic, honored for 30 years of innovation in visual effects and technology for the film industry. ... Actor Phil Brown, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker's Uncle Owen in "Star Wars," died Thursday of pneumonia, according to The Associated Press. He was 89. Brown worked in film and theater for more than 60 years, but he's best remembered for his role in the 1977 blockbuster. ...

Brooklyn avant-electro rockers TV on the Radio are gearing up for the May release of their still-untitled second full-length (their first since 2004's Shortlist Music Prize-winning Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes) by hitting the road. Their tour with Baltimore's Celebration kicks off April 21 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and runs until May 6 in Vancouver, British Colombia. More dates are expected to be announced shortly. ...

02.13.2006

Britney Spears plans to visit Mardi Gras in New Orleans on February 28, and "Good Morning America" will be there to broadcast her appearance as part of its coverage of the city's celebrations. "It is so important for this amazing city to continue its annual traditions, and I am really looking forward to being involved," Spears said in a statement. The singer will bring "surprises" for a group of "very deserving young residents." ...

The autopsy and toxicology test results for "Reservoir Dogs" actor Chris Penn were released Monday (February 13), with the Los Angeles county coroner's office concluding that the 40-year-old's January 24 death was an accident. Although Penn had several prescription medications in his system, including the highly addictive Promethazine, it was an oversized heart that has been ruled as the primary cause of death. A full coroner's report, containing additional details, is expected to be released in a few weeks. ...

Jennifer Lopez is appealing to Hispanics to donate bone marrow during a February 24-25 drive in New York for 29-year-old Janet Ovalles, who is suffering from blood cancer. Doctors say Ovalles' only chance for survival is a marrow transplant, and most matches come from people with the same ethnic background. In a statement released by DKMS, the German bone-marrow-donor center organizing the drive, Lopez said, "I am a young Hispanic woman, so is Janet. I could empathize with her situation so much." ... Snoop Dogg is also using his free time for a good cause. He's hosting the Rapper's Challenge Texas Hold 'Em Tournament, a one-day event in which poker players and celebs alike will bluff their way toward $25,000 and $50,000 prizes. The no-limit game will take place May 5 in the Port of Miami aboard a casino ship; Snoop's Uncle Reo will cook BBQ on the top deck. ... Christina Milian has set an April 25 release date for her third album, So Amazin', produced by the team behind "Lean Back," Cool and Dre. Christina shot the video for the first single, "Say I" featuring Young Jeezy, in Los Angeles over the weekend with Ray Kay (Destiny's Child's "Soldier"). In July Milian will return to theaters with "Pulse," a horror thriller based on the Japanese film "Kairo." ...

Hilary Duff will serve as honorary starter and Fantasia will sing the national anthem for the California Speedway Auto Club 500 on February 26. Hilary will be joined at the Fontana, California, track and on the starter's stand by sister Haylie Duff, and together they'll tour the track during driver introductions. One week after the Daytona 500, Auto Club 500 is the second race of the season for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. ... After finishing the current Wu-Tang Clan reunion tour, Ghostface Killah will hit the road on a 32-date North American headlining trek, kicking off March 5 in Pittsburgh and wrapping up April 23 in Buffalo. Ghost is promoting Fishscale, due March 28 and featuring the single "Back Like That" featuring Ne-Yo. ... 3 Doors Down frontman Brad Arnold was injured in a car crash earlier this month, according to the band's Web site. The one-car accident occurred February 1 on a rainy road in Mississippi, and Arnold required stitches for his injuries. He is expected to make a full recovery. His wife, who was driving the vehicle, was not injured. 3 Doors Down canceled their February 4 performance at Bud Bowl, a pre-Super Bowl event in Detroit, due to the crash. ...

Drummer Christopher Emery has left American Head Charge, although it's unclear whether he quit or was fired. The band's bassist Mr. H.C. Banks III and singer Martin Cock said they axed Emery for "major irresponsibility, decreased drumming ability and an inflated sense of entitlement," according to a joint statement. "It turns out Chris was thinking of leaving anyway, although we only just found out by his posting on our Web site," the statement read. Emery had said he quit the band in a post that hit the site over the weekend, in which he stated, "I'm tired of watching drugs and alcohol destroy everyone around me, including myself." ... P.O.D. will hit the road this spring with Pillar, the Chariot and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster as part of the Warriors Tour 2: Guilty by Association run. No word yet on when the tour starts or how many cities the trek will encompass. ... Papa Roach, who've been working on their forthcoming sixth album, have posted on their Web site a video shot during the band's latest studio sessions. A series of videos is set to appear on the site as the Roach get further along in the process. The disc should be in stores before the end of the year. ... The Offspring have started work on their next studio LP, the follow-up to 2003's Splinter. In a post on the band's Web site, lead singer Dexter Holland said he and guitarist Noodles hit the studio to begin recording demo material. There's no word yet on when the Offspring plan to release the effort or when its official recording will begin. "[It's been] a blast," Holland wrote. "It feels good to get back in the studio and do some recording and just be a band, you know? I'm sure you do if you're in a band." ...

The Sounds — whose Dying to Say This to You is due March 21 — are teaming with Morningwood for a 40-date North American tour beginning March 22 in Los Angeles. Action Action are also on the bill. ... Stereolab will release Fab Four Suture — a collection of six singles previously available only as 7-inches, as well as six never-before-heard tracks — March 7. Look for the album to include "Get a Shot of the Refrigerator," "Whisper Pitch" and "I Was a Sunny Rainphase." ... She's only 19 years old (in about a week she'll be 20), but Charlotte Church is already writing her memoirs (again). The singer's just inked a deal with Orion to write her life story, which she's calling rather straightforwardly "Charlotte Church: The Autobiography." This would, of course, be her second such autobio, since she released "Voice of an Angel: My Life (So Far)" in 2001. ... Bassist Jimmy MacDonough has quit Megadeth, but no explanation has been offered for his unexpected departure. In his place, Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine has hired James LoMenzo, who has done time with Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society, White Lion and David Lee Roth. ... Former Sunny Day Real Estate frontman Jeremy Enigk will release his second solo album and follow-up to 1996's Return of the Frog Queen this summer. The singer/guitarist, also of the Fire Theft, will tour Europe in July and the U.S. in August.

[This story was originally published at 5:26 p.m ET on 02.14.2006]

• Avenged Sevenfold
• Willie Nelson
• Britney Spears
• The Black Crowes
• The Academy Is...

Dr. Dre has produced "It's a Shame," the first single from Devin's second album, Just Tryin' to Live, due August 27. Dre also produced "Yo Ho" for the album, and DJ Premier is behind "Doobie Ashtray," while "Some of Em" features guest vocals from Nas and Xzibit. ... Mr. Cheeks has just entered the studio to begin work on his second solo LP according to his spokesperson. P. Diddy, Bink and longtime collaborator Mr. Sexx have all signed on to supply beats. Having branched out to clothing and film, the Roc-A-Fella label has added liquor to its extended family of products. Top dogs Jay-Z and Damon Dash just purchased Armadale Vodka. ...

The Flaming Lips shot a second video for "Do You Realize??" the debut single from their new album, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, with director Mark Pellington (Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains) Thursday (July 18) in Las Vegas. The first clip, intended for U.K. video outlets, is viewable on www.flaminglips.com, and the new video is described as a semi-abstract stream of consciousness featuring fire and elephants. ...Built to Spill frontman Doug Martsch will drop his first solo album, Now You Know, on September 10. A tour to support the mellow LP will coincide with its release. ...

Brand Nubian's Lord Jamar and Gang Starr's Guru were among those who attended the album release party for The Best of D&D Vol. 2 Wednesday night in New York. Those performing at club Coda included Craig G and Jack Venom. ...DJ Sammy, who has scored a huge dance hit with a remake of Bryan Adams' "Heaven," will release his debut album, also titled Heaven, August 6. The record will include new versions of the Mamas & the Papas' "California Dreamin'" and Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer." ...

Seattle dark power metallers Nevermore have canceled all three of their scheduled Warped Tour appearances, citing undisclosed "circumstances" on their Web site. The group features founding members of Sanctuary, whose 1987 debut album was produced by Megadeth's Dave Mustaine. ... In a recent journal entry on his Web site, Marilyn Manson wrote that his band's forthcoming album has entered the mixing stages and that he has assumed personal control over their upcoming DVD. "I think you deserve to see the best that we have," he wrote, "and I intend to show it." ... A* Teens will begin a U.S. tour on July 28 in Richmond, Virginia, and run through September. Baha Men will accompany the cutesy Swedes on the Radio Disney-sponsored tour, which is in support of A*Teens' Pop 'Til You Drop! platter. ...

After the Wilco documentary "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" made its New York premiere Wednesday night, director Sam Jones and the band's Jeff Tweedy, Glen Kotche, Leroy Bach and John Stirratt joined the likes of Conan O'Brien and studio stalwart Jim O'Rourke at the Penthouse at the Park for a soiree. Wilco had taped a "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" appearance earlier that day. ... Orlando drum 'n' bass DJ AK1200 will release his first studio album September 24 on Run Recordings. A Tribe Called Quest's Phife Dawg and Philadelphia rapper the Last Emperor guest on the record. ...

Evan Dando, Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker, Saint Etienne, Kid Loco and Lambchop are among the artists featured on Total Lee! The Songs of Lee Hazlewood, due August 6. Lee Hazlewood produced and wrote hits for Elvis Presley, Dean Martin and Nancy Sinatra, including "These Boots Are Made for Walking." ... After releasing a mix album (Modern Mantra) in May and a jazz album (Optometry) earlier this month, DJ Spooky is hard at work on his next project, a magazine called 21C. An early version of the publication, which he described as a cross between Wired and Artforum, is online at www.21cmagazine.com. ...

Nine Days' second album, So Happily Unsatisfied, will feature guest appearances from Lifehouse frontman Jason Wade, who plays guitar on the first single "Good Friend" and co-wrote "Ocean," and the Wallflowers' Rami Jaffee, who plays Hammond organ on "Still Here." The album is due September 17. ... A double-disc live album recorded at the Bonnaroo Music Festival late last month in Tennessee will be released September 24, with a documentary DVD to follow in October. Highlights of the event included Steve Winwood jamming with Widespread Panic, Les Claypool sitting in with Galactic and solo sets from Trey Anastasio and Norah Jones. ...

Motown has recovered nearly 40 lost tracks by the likes of the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight & the Pips and the Isley Brothers, and will release them July 30 on A Cellarful of Motown. Among the tracks is Wonder's version of "Are You Sure Love Is the Name of This Game," which was later recorded by the Supremes. ... The 40th anniversary of the recording and release of the Beatles' first record ("Love Me Do") will be marked this fall with the re-release of "A Hard Day's Night" on September 24. The DVD will include several hours of new material, including "Give Me Everything!," a companion anthology to the Beatles' first film, and the documentary "Things They Said Today." ...

07.17.02

Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes and N.E.R.D. has added PETA to his roster by recording a downloadable outgoing voicemail message that implores listeners to be kind to animals. The message can be heard now on peta2.com and soon on the answering machines of PETA supporters. ... Radiohead have pegged Friends of the Earth to act as their representatives at next month's Earth Summit in South Africa and are encouraging fans to submit to the organization's audio petition for more accountability for industrial pollution. Singer Thom Yorke posted a message online saying, "It is not good enough to preach about the trickledown effect of economic growth if your house is being washed away, your child has skin cancer, you can't get clean water and the weather is changing beyond recognition, forever." ...

Following a round of choice Ramones reissues last year, Rhino Records is bringing back four more gems on August 20: the Phil Spector-produced End of the Century (1980), Pleasant Dreams (1981), Subterranean Jungle (1983) and Too Tough to Die (1984). The reissues will also include rare demos, radio spots and a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Street Fighting Man." ... Chicago's Thrill Jockey Records, America's home to post-rock bands such as Tortoise, the Sea and Cake and Mouse on Mars, is celebrating 10 years of making electronic blips for the kids by throwing a three-day birthday bash in New York City from September 5-7 at Irving Plaza and the Bowery Ballroom, with Tortoise headlining the first two nights and the Sea and Cake headlining the third. Thrill Jockey chose to celebrate in NYC instead of their hometown of Chicago because "the bands play here a lot." ...

Widespread Panic guitarist Michael Houser has a terminal form of cancer, he told fans on Tuesday in a letter posted on his band's Web site. The group has replaced Houser on their current tour, and the guitarist said he hopes to get back to playing sometime in the future. ... Guy/ Blackstreet honcho/superproducer Teddy Riley now has the less glamorous job of filing for protection from creditors in bankruptcy court. According to the Associated Press, Riley filed to reorganize his finances under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy law, as he did not have enough money to cover his increasingly high income-tax liabilities. ... Ben Folds will release a live album recorded during his spring solo tour on October 8. The track list for Ben Folds Live, which has not been finalized, will feature hits from his solo debut and his group's previous albums, along with B-sides such as "The Secret Life of Morgan Davis." ...

The Crystal Method will release their first mix album, Community Service, July 23 on Ultra Records. The collection will include remixes by the duo of their own favorites and hits by P.O.D. and Garbage, along with tracks by Orbital and the Plump DJs. ... Trance DJ Sasha (of Sasha & Digweed fame) will tour the States this fall in support of his first studio album, Airdrawndagger, due August 6 on Kinetic Records. The first single is titled "Wavy Gravy." ... Speaking of Sashas, Kittie collaborated with Sasha Konietzko of KMFDM on a remix of "Safe," from their latest album, Oracle, which will be released this fall. Konietzko has remixed tracks for Korn, Metallica and White Zombie, among others. ...

Buckcherry have split because "[frontman Josh Todd] was no longer having fun being in Buckcherry, and the process of making the new record had become quite disappointing to him," according to a written statement. "He thought it best to move on at this time." ... Queensrÿche belter Geoff Tate sang the blues last week after his saxophone was stolen from the Birch Hill Nite Club in Old Bridge, New Jersey. Anyone with information is encouraged to e-mail president@queensryche.com, and while there's no cash reward, a Queensrÿche Empire platinum album signed by the singer will be gifted to whoever helps to recover the beloved instrument.

• Dr. Dre
• Marilyn Manson
• Mr. Cheeks
• Wilco
• Jay-Z

Built to Spill's Doug Martsch
Photo: MTV News

Doug Martsch, the mercurial mastermind behind Built to Spill, has always aligned himself with Modest Mouse, Caustic Resin, Unwound and other fringe rock bands. So it's somewhat surprising to find that his new record, Ancient Melodies of the Future, was inspired by artists who recorded before the birth of the electric guitar.

"I've been listening to a lot of blues and folk stuff from the '20s and '30s," Martsch said over a telephone headset while mowing the lawn of his Boise, Idaho, lawn with an antique hand mower. "I don't ever want to try to make those kinds of music because I don't really like versions of that music that aren't the real thing. But I definitely think that listening to that stuff affects what I do in my own music."

Indeed, new songs like "Strange" and "The Weather" are far from 12-bar blues workouts or strummy folk excursions, though they are more melodic and contained than Built to Spill's earlier sprawling guitarscapes.

"My whole aesthetic growing up was all about punk rock, but now it's just the opposite," said the man once known as Dug Martsch. "What I like most now is really simple music, beautiful melodies and good playing. Also, I like the fact that folk and blues stuff is kind of mysterious.

"When I listen to Modest Mouse I never find myself wondering what it must be like to be Modest Mouse. I know what it's like. Whereas with that old stuff, it just sounds strange. You don't really know what their lives were like or understand the reasons they were making music."

Built to Spill are getting ready for the second leg of their U.S. tour for Ancient Melodies of the Future. The tour starts September 4 in Minneapolis and hits major markets in the Midwest and East before wrapping up in Dallas on September 30.

"I like playing live, but I don't like being away from home for too long," Martsch said. "That's why I only go on the road for a month or so at a time. Otherwise, I really miss my son."

Built to Spill tour dates, according to the band's publicist:

• 9/4 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
• 9/5 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
• 9/6 Chicago, IL @ Metro/Smart Bar
• 9/7 Chicago, IL @ Metro/Smart Bar
• 9/9 Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
• 9/10 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
• 9/13 Philadelphia, PA @ The Trocadero
• 9/14 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
• 9/15 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
• 9/17 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
• 9/18 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
• 9/19 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
• 9/20 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
• 9/21 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
• 9/22 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
• 9/28 Houston, TX @ Engine Room
• 9/30 Dallas, TX @ Gypsy Tea Room

• Built to Spill

Mos Def
Photo: Priority

The Black Crowes, Mos Def, Ween and David Lee Roth are among approximately 500 artists slated to perform during Seattle's 31st annual Bumbershoot festival over the Labor Day weekend. Mos Def, Dilated Peoples and Jurassic 5 will kick it all off August 31 at the Hip-Hop 101 showcase. The festival will be held at the 74-acre Seattle Center.

Also on the bill are Taj Mahal, Rufus Wainwright, Neko Case, Loretta Lynn, Marshall Crenshaw, Meshell Ndegéocello, Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Built to Spill, Cat Power, Low, Reverend Horton Heat, Galactic, the Rollins Band, King Sunny Adé and His African Beats, Jon Brion and the Funky Meters.

The So Many Roads tour, featuring Ratdog, Rusted Root and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, will converge with Bumbershoot on September 2. Additions to the festival this year include an electronic-music venue called the Electro-Deck, a street-dance stage and a new indie-rock hub at Experience Music Project's Sky Church. Tickets go on sale Friday via bumbershoot.org.

• The Black Crowes
• Mos Def
• Ween
• Dilated Peoples
• Jurassic 5

Built To Spill, the Supersuckers, and Murder City Devils are among the artists that will be getting "experienced" over the next few weekends as part of the Northwest Passage Concert Series being offered by the recently-opened Experience Music Project.

Former Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan and Goodness singer Carrie Akre will also participate in the weekend series of live gigs at the Seattle-based music museum, with Lanegan set to launch the shows on October 13.

The Northwest Passage Concert Series will then continue for the next five weeks. Local folkster Willis will then play the EMP's Sky Church on October 20, followed by Akre on November 4, Built To Spill on November 11, and the Supersuckers on November 18. The Murder City Devils will close out the series on November 25.

Opening acts for the shows will be selected by each of the headliners, and as the title of the concert series suggests, will focus on rising artists from the Seattle area and the Northwest region.

For more information about the Northwest Passage Concert Series, check out the Experience Music Project's Web site at www.emplive.com.

• Built to Spill
• The Murder City Devils

Jan. 21 [14:00 EST] -- If you've caught the advance buzz on Built To Spill's major label debut, and can't wait until the album hits stores, you can visit Sonicnet to preview the group's latest effort.

Beginning at noon on Tuesday, users can check out RealAudio 3.0 versions of the tracks from "Perfect From Now On," the band's Warner Bros. debut.

For the uninitiated, Built To Spill is the brainchild of guitarist Doug Martsch, who assembles a group of musicians, records an album, and then dismantles the group (hence the name Built To Spill). Before signing to Warner Bros. in 1995, the band (in its various forms) recorded 1993's "Ultimate Alternative Wavers," and 1994's "There's Nothing Wrong With Love" on the indie labels C/Z and Up Records respectively.

• Built to Spill