Glassjaw
Photo: Warner Bros.

For a couple of years now, Daryl Palumbo has been running his yap about the imminent revivification of his old band Glassjaw. He's professed that yes, there's fresh material on the horizon, and the band will be touring again real soon in support of those new songs.

But beyond a few one-off reunion gigs here and there, Glassjaw have remained as dormant as they've been since 2004 — well, publicly at least. There hasn't really been much more than just talk, talk, talk of the future, and the directive to be patient.

But now, with the Long Island, New York, hardcore innovators set to open for Deftones at Nashville's City Hall on Thursday (December 14), it seems there's an end in sight for the longtime fans who have been waiting for their resurrection since Palumbo initiated such talk back in 2005.

Glassjaw's F---ing Tour will include a total of 13 stops — on four of them, they'll warm up crowds for Chino Moreno's Deftones. The bands toured together in 2000, soon after the release of Glassjaw's debut LP, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence. Glassjaw have lined up gigs in Chicago, Detroit, New York and Philadelphia, and will cap 2006 off in New Haven, Connecticut, at Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta's Stillborn Fest on New Year's Eve. Hatebreed will headline the night's festivities, with the Distance, Bateman, Dead by Wednesday, Signs of Hope and Crowns of Kings in supporting roles.

"The band is totally reinvigorated," Palumbo said enthusiastically. "And why not? We did it. We've been writing, we've been rehearsing every day, and we've got some new s--- together. So why not? I can't wait to get back out there, because Glassjaw's me. It's my personality. It's a huge part of me — being that angry and playing those songs and being in that mood. I need it, I need it — absolutely need it."

The frontman said Glassjaw have been writing material for many months, even while Palumbo has been occupied with his other band, Head Automatica (see "Head Automatica's Midas Touch Won't Shatter Glassjaw"). And they've completed three tracks — "You Think You're John F---ing Lennon," "Jesus Glue" and "Natural Born Farmer" — they plan to record as soon as Head Automatica's forthcoming, yet-untitled EP is in the bag. Palumbo said the Head will hit the studio in January to record six songs (one called "Continental Divide") for the effort, which will also feature "many interludes in between — it's going to be like a large piece with no breaks from front to back, and I'd like to put almost an LP's worth of material on the EP."

Palumbo added that the latest Head Automatica material is "a lot darker and a lot more discordant" than the band's previous two releases: 2004's Decadence and 2006's Popaganda (see "Daryl Palumbo Spreads Head Automatica Popaganda"). But, the more ominous tone to the songs has nothing to do with Glassjaw's revival, Palumbo said.

"It's the opposite," he explained. "While Glassjaw hadn't been doing much for a bit, I'd gone ahead and started writing a lot more cryptic, darker stuff for Head Automatica, without even having been inspired by Glassjaw to do that. It's just where I think the Head Automatica sound's going to go, and I think the Glassjaw sound will probably be going in a more brutal direction too."

Palumbo said both bands will self-produce their upcoming opuses and that he'd like to release both in 2007.

"With Glassjaw, it's been about 13 years in the making, and I think that we'll get that product out of us that we've wanted all these years," he said. "For this particular band, at this particular point in our career, to get the four of us in a room — I think some beautiful sh--'s gonna happen. But it's going to take a little while. We still have to finish the writing and the recording, and I have lots to do with Head Automatica in the next year. It's going to be a balancing act for me, so it's going to take a minute. Both records will happen at the right pace, but I would like to have them both out next year. That would make me so f---ing happy."

• Glassjaw
• Deftones
• Head Automatica

Head Automatica's Daryl Palumbo
Photo: Amy Cooper

Daryl Palumbo is on a nice run.

It's been months since he's had a Crohn's disease flare-up — Palumbo has suffered from the debilitating condition, which creates intestinal inflammation, his entire life — and his good health has allowed his electro-pop outfit Head Automatica something of a rare opportunity: the chance to tour consistently and promote Popaganda, the band's latest release, which hit stores June 6 (see "Daryl Palumbo Spreads Head Automatica Popaganda").

"We have momentum now, and we've had it for a bit," said Palumbo, Head Automatica's energetic, mop-topped frontman. "We just want to tour, because we'd worked for over a year on the record, and we want people to receive it. We're at our most productive when we're on the road and putting on the live show. And we've been on the road nonstop for a while — maybe the longest stretch for us.

"I feel better than I have in years," he continued, "and I feel like my medical team has a better grasp on what's going on in my body at this point than they ever have in my life. I don't plan on going home anytime soon."

After wrapping up a five-week U.S. jaunt with Taking Back Sunday and Angels & Airwaves in San Diego on Sunday(see "Taking Back Sunday, Angels & Airwaves Announce Tour Dates"), Head Automatica plan to hit the road again on August 16 in Norfolk, Virginia, for the launch of their Popaganda Tour. Men, Women and Children — along with Rock Kills Kid, Young Love, We Are the Fury and I Am the Avalanche — have been tapped to open for the band.

But first — between tours — there's the matter of shooting a video for "Lying Through Your Teeth," the second single from Popaganda. Palumbo said Head Automatica will film the clip early next month, and that the plan is to "bring some of the iconic album artwork to life, right before your very eyes — we're just talking about ways we want to make that happen."

There's also a DVD that's been in the works for some time now, which they'll probably title "The Head Automatica Motion Picture." "We've been documenting our lives and our tours — everything that's been happening in our lives — for over six months now," Palumbo said, adding that the band has been working with documentarian Robert Nelson, Automatica keyboardist Jessie Nelson's brother. "It's going to be very personal and hard at some points, because there was a lot of hard sh-- we went through in the last year of our lives."

Plus, he said the band will soon be releasing several tracks that didn't make the Popaganda cut, as well as a number of songs Head Automatica have written since recording the LP, through their Web site — for free. "I would love to have people keep hearing the progression of the band," he explained, likening tracking the band's writing skills to measuring a child's height. "Every month you see a little bit of a 'grow chart,' and you get to pencil in above our heads how big we get each month, the progression of the writing in the band — I want to keep putting [songs] out and have people follow us the whole way."

Of course, Head Automatica are not the only project demanding Palumbo's time these days. He has revived Long Island, New York's Glassjaw, but dispelled fierce online rumors that an album from his long-dormant hardcore band is already in the bag.

"I f---ing wish it was done!" he exclaimed. "It's just getting started. I have a lot of lyrics and a significant amount of music ready. But it's just going to move slowly. We need the money to do the record, and we need to figure out who will put it out — we need to figure out the recording schedule, where we're going to do it and who we'll do it with.

"There's a concept I'm tinkering with for this album," he continued. "Every member of the band's currently busy with other projects, but there will always be a special place in all our hearts for Glassjaw. We're very much looking forward to playing music that will offend, insult and frighten many people."

Head Automatica tour dates, according to the band's publicist:

• 8/16 - Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa
• 8/18 - Jacksonville, FL @ Plush
• 8/19 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
• 8/20 - Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues
• 8/22 - St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Landing
• 8/24 - Charlotte, NC @ Tremont Music Hall
• 8/25 - Charleston, SC @ College of Charleston
• 8/26 - Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre
• 8/27 - Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
• 8/29 - Winston-Salem, NC @ Ziggy's
• 8/31 - Milwaukee, WI @ Rave Bar
• 9/1 - Minneapolis, MN @ Quest Club
• 9/2 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
• 9/4 - Cleveland, OH @ Tower City Amphitheater (Taste of Cleveland)
• 9/6 - Buffalo, NY @ Statler Golden Ballroom
• 9/7 - Detroit, MI @ Clutch Cargo's
• 9/8 - Oxford, OH @ Miami University
• 9/27 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
• 9/29 - Ventura, CA @ Majestic Ventura Theater
• 10/6 - Austin, TX @ Stubb's Barbeque
• 10/7 - San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
• 10/8 - Dallas, TX @ Gypsy Ballroom
• 10/10 - St. Louis, MO @ Pop's
• 10/11 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
• 10/12 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theatre
• 10/13 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
• 10/14 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
• 10/16 - Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre
• 10/18 - Boston, MA @ Avalon
• 10/20 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
• 10/21 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

• Head Automatica

AFI's <I>Decemberunderground</I>
Photo: Interscope Records

Finally, the fated 6/6/06 has arrived. But what's to show for it? Where's Slayer's LP, intended for today? Alas, still in purgatory (a.k.a. production). Deicide and Entombed also missed deadlines. But have no fear, Beelzebub believers. Artimus Pyledriver and Sikth are repping. As are new grindsters Genghis Tron. There's the End Records' black-metal tutorial. And don't forget the "Omen" soundtrack.

Are you pent up with pentagrams? Not feeling horny for devil's horns? There's a heavenly corner as well. Amps for Christ, Combichrist and Evangelicals.

And there's loads more, of course. Here goes, each in six words:

The Despair Faction Weep With Joy: That would be AFI's fan club. Sobbing at the arrival of Decemberunderground. It's the band's seventh time out. Replete with requisite choruses and bombast. No limited editions or video enhancements. Just 12 doses of strident punk. You've already heard "Miss Murder" tirelessly. So check out "37mm" and "Affliction."

More Crying, Courtesy a Rap Legend: Ice Cube's Laugh Now, Cry Later. It's another classic West Coast hoedown. Snoop and WC, all over it. Plus Lil Jon's helping out, too. Just "Go to Church" for proof. Swizz Beatz and Green Lantern produce. Scott Storch polishes off two tracks. And don't miss Mike Epps' spot. Come on, "Holla @ Cha' Boy." Make LP #7 worth Cube's while.

Head Automatica Graduate to Become Sophomores: Daryl Palumbo is at it again. Decadence followed Glassjaw's hiatus — now this. Fourteen tracks' worth of power-pop prickliness. "Graduation Day" is all over mtvU. The band is "Laughing at You." While you're "Lying Through Your Teeth." Don't miss "God" or "Curious," either.

DJ Khaled Brings the Miami Heat: DJ Khaled's Listennn ... The Album arrives. And it's presented by Terror Squad. Kanye and Jeezy also on here. Beanie Sigel and Lil Scrappy, too. Plus Clipse, Freeway, Pitbull and CTE. Now that's called a star-studded LP. It's devoted to Khaled's Miami hometown. ("Future of Dade" says it all.)

Paul Oakenfold's Aged Oak-Barrel Wine Flows: At last, Oakenfold's A Lively Mind. This one has been bumping forever. But it's well worth the wait. Pharrell and Grandmaster Flash both appear. Plus 8 Mile-r Brittany Murphy, incredulously. On "Faster Kill Pussycat," no less. This is the producer's second LP. Emphasis on the unquenchable, club-ready beats. Fall Out Boy need new shoes.

The Fort Minor Queen Steps Out: She's half of "Where'd You Go." You know, Mike Shinoda's "TRL" tune. Now, time for Holly Brook proper. Like Blood Like Honey is piano-heavy. Many a heart-wrenching confessional as well. "What I Wouldn't Give" is ubiquitous. It's on TV's "Conviction" and "Related." Is this 20-year-old ready to break? Will she be the next Dido? Only time will tell, they say.

Some People Just Won't Say Die:

1. Cheap Trick's Rockford
2. Cracker's Greenland
3. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' Sinner
4. Live's Songs From Black Mountain
5. The New Cars' It's Alive!
6. Frank Sinatra Jr.'s That Face!

A Rose by Any Other Name:

1. Joe Bonamassa (You & Me)
2. Donavon Frankenreiter (Move by Yourself)
3. Heideroosjes (Royal to the Bone)
4. Janez Detd. (Like Cold Rain Kills a Summer Day)
5. Kraak En Smaak (Boogie Angst)
6. Shakatak ("Live at the Playhouse" DVD)

They Are Singing the Body Electric:

1. Amps for Christ (Every Eleven Seconds)
2. Elevator Action (Society, Secret)
3. The Robot Ate Me (Good World)
4. Scanners (Violence Is Golden)
5. Soft Machine ("New Morning: The Paris Concert" DVD)
6. Stereo Fuse (All That Remains)

Yeah, They Decided to Take Off:

1. The Bottle Rockets (Zoysia)
2. Camera Obscura, as they declare Let's Get Out of This Country
3. Jefferson Airplane (The Worst of Jefferson Airplane)
4. Jet Lag Gemini (Business)
5. Ladyhawk (Ladyhawk)
6. Metallic Falcons (Desert Doughnuts)

Are They Rivals in the Making?:

1. The "Cars" soundtrack vs. the New Cars (It's Alive!)
2. Cheap Trick (Rockford) vs. Cheap Sex (Written in Blood)
3. Jet Lag Gemini (Business) vs. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (Sinner)
4. Oakenfold (A Lively Mind) vs. Oakley Hall (Gypsum Strings)
5. Henry Rollins (Sweatbox) vs. Sonny Rollins (The Impulse Story)
6. Divided by Zero (The Black Sea) vs. Zero 7 (The Garden)

They Need Direction in Their Lives:

1. Drift (Scott Walker)
2. Compass (Susanne Abbuehl)
3. Floating World (Anathallo)
4. Koast II Koast (Kottonmouth Kings)
5. The River in Reverse (Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint)
6. The Search Party Never Came (Vanna)

The Song Title of the Week:

"Hanasakajijii" from Floating World by Anathallo

Six More Notables for Your Consideration:

1. The Hush Sound's Like Vines: They opened for Fall Out Boy. Actually, they're on Pete Wentz's label. Like Vines is Hush's second effort. Their first for Wentz's Decaydance imprint. FOB singer/guitarist Patrick Stump co-produces here. Don't miss "Magnolia" and "Wine Red."
2. Psapp's The Only Thing I Ever Wanted: Domino Recording Co. is still gold. These Londoners follow Franz Ferdinand's lead. Except they're even goofier and quirkier. Their bleeps made it to radio. Go, Carim Clasmann and Galia Durant. Psapp us of all our energy.
3. Camera Obscura's Let's Get Out of This Country: How apropos: this is a sextet. And this is their third release. One album for every other person. "If Looks Could Kill," they say. On the new LP, that is. Even comes with a free-MP3 coupon.
4. Amps for Christ's Every Eleven Seconds: Recorded in L.A.'s San Gabriel Mountains. Unbelievably, this is Amps' ninth LP. An age-old German standup bass — check. Washboard, autoharp, sitar and electronics — check. Some lyrics about time travel — check. Yup, it's all right in there.
5. The Paper Chase's Now You Are One of Us: Which makes us one of them. It's subversive racket, through and through. Harrowing pianos about to burst apart. Squawky vocals that make you shudder. If this sounds appetizing, click "buy."
6. Mojave 3's Puzzles Like You: This is Mojave at their poppiest. Neil Halstead gets slightly more accessible. One song by drummer Ian McCutcheon. Glorious pencil artwork adorns the cover. "Breaking the Ice" video is included.

New Releases:

• Susanne Abbuehl - Compass (ECM)
• AFI - Decemberunderground (Interscope)
  Buy Now: Decemberunderground (Interscope)
  
• Amps for Christ - Every Eleven Seconds (5 Rue Christine)
• Anathallo - Floating World (Nettwerk/ Artist Friendship)
• Artimus Pyledriver - Artimus Pyledriver (Sever/ DRT)
• B-Real - The Gunslinger (BCD)
• Joe Bonamassa - You & Me (Premier Artists)
• The Bottle Rockets - Zoysia (Bloodshot)
• Bouncing Souls - The Gold Record (Epitaph)
  Buy Now: The Gold Record (Epitaph)
  
• Holly Brook - Like Blood Like Honey (Warner Bros.)
• Peter Brötzmann Group - Alarm (live; Atavistic)
• Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out of This Country (Merge)
• Cheap Sex - Written in Blood (enhanced; Punkcore)
• Cheap Trick - Rockford (Cheap Trick Unlimited/ Big3)
  Buy Now: Rockford (Cheap Trick Unlimited/ Big3)
  
• Combichrist - Get Your Body Beat (EP; Metropolis)
• Conner - Hello Graphic Missile (Sonic Boom)
• Barbara Cook - The Metropolitan Opera Presents: Barbara Cook at the Met with Special Guests (DRG)
• Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint - The River in Reverse (version with DVD due same day; Verve Forecast)
  Buy Now: The River in Reverse (Verve Forecast)
  
• Cracker - Greenland (Cooking Vinyl)
• Decyfer Down - End of Grey (SRE)
• The Derailers - Soldiers of Love (Palo Duro)
• Divided by Zero - The Black Sea (Corporate Punishment)
• Drag the River - It's Crazy (Suburban Home)
• Elevator Action - Society, Secret (MoRisen)
• Evangelicals - So Gone (Misra)
• Jon Faddis - Teranga (Koch)
• Etran Finatawa - Introducing Etran Finatawa (World Music Network)
• Fleshies - Scrape the Walls (Alternative Tentacles)
  Buy Now: Scrape the Walls (Alternative Tentacles)
  
• Fort Knox - The New Gold Standard (Fort Knox Recordings)
• Pete Francis - Everything Is One (with bonus DVD; Scrapper)
• Donavon Frankenreiter - Move by Yourself (Lost Highway)
  Buy Now: Move by Yourself (Lost Highway)
  
• Freeheat - Back on the Water (Planting Seeds)
• Genghis Tron - Dead Mountain Mouth (Crucial Blast)
• Gracer - Voices Travel (Revelation)
• Greeley Estates - Far From the Lies (Record Collection)
• Head Automatica - Popaganda (Warner Bros.)
  Read: "Daryl Palumbo Spreads Head Automatica Popaganda"
  Buy Now: Popaganda (Warner Bros.)
  
• Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid - The Exchange Session, Vol. 2 (Domino)
• (Hed) p.e. - Back 2 Base X (Suburban Noize)
  Buy Now: Back 2 Base X (Suburban Noize)
  
• Heideroosjes - Royal to the Bone (I Scream)
• Micah P. Hinson - The Baby & the Satellite (EP; Jade Tree)
• The Husbands - There's Nothing I'd Like More Than to See You Dead (Swami)
• The Hush Sound - Like Vines (Decaydance)
  Buy Now: Like Vines (Decaydance)
  
• Ice Cube - Laugh Now, Cry Later (Lench Mob)
  Read: "Ice Cube Wants The Last Laugh With Independent LP Featuring Lil Jon, Snoop"
  Buy Now: Laugh Now, Cry Later (Lench Mob)
  
• In Strict Confidence - Exile Paradise (Metropolis)
• Janez Detd. - Like Cold Rain Kills a Summer Day (I Scream)
• Jarboe - The Conduit (Atavistic)
• Jet Lag Gemini - Business (Doghouse)
• Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - Sinner (enhanced; Blackheart)
  Buy Now: Sinner (Blackheart)
  
• Mike Johnson - Gone Out of Your Mind (Up)
• DJ Khaled - Terror Squad Presents DJ Khaled: Listennn ... The Album
  Buy Now: Terror Squad Presents DJ Khaled: Listennn ... The Album
  
• Kraak En Smaak - Boogie Angst (Quango)
• Kottonmouth Kings - Koast II Koast (Suburban Noize)
  Buy Now: Koast II Koast (Suburban Noize)
  
• Ladyhawk - Ladyhawk (Jagjaguwar)
• Live - Songs From Black Mountain (Epic/ Red Ink)
  Buy Now: Songs From Black Mountain (Epic/ Red Ink)
  
• The Mag Seven - The Future Is Ours, if You Can Count (End Sounds)
• Katie Melua - Piece by Piece (Dramatico)
• Metallic Falcons - Desert Doughnuts (Voodoo-Eros)
• Jeff Mills and the Montpellier Philharmonic Orchestra - Blue Potential (live; Uncivilized World)
• Brian Stokes Mitchell - Brian Stokes Mitchell (Playbill/ Legacy)
• Juana Molina - Son (Domino)
• Mojave 3 - Puzzles Like You (4AD)
• Monsters Are Waiting - Fascination (Retone)
• Alexi Murdoch - Time Without Consequence (Zero Summer)
• The New Cars - It's Alive! (live; Eleven Seven)
• Oakenfold - A Lively Mind (Maverick)
  Buy Now: A Lively Mind (Maverick)
  
• Oakley Hall - Gypsum Strings (Jagjaguwar)
• Oppenheimer - Oppenheimer (Bar None)
• The Paper Chase - Now You Are One of Us (Kill Rock Stars)
• DJ Papito Red - El Más Esperado (Esntion Silver)
• Danielle Peck - Danielle Peck (Big Machine)
• Patent Pending - Save Each Other: The Whales Are Doing Fine (We Put Out)
• Portastatic - "Who Loves the Sun" soundtrack (Merge)
• PovertyNeck Hillbillies - PovertyNeck Hillbillies (two CDs; Rust)
• Psapp - The Only Thing I Ever Wanted (Domino)
  Buy Now: The Only Thing I Ever Wanted (Domino)
  
• John Ralston - Needle Bed (enhanced; Vagrant)
• The Robot Ate Me - Good World (5 Rue Christine)
• Scanners - Violence Is Golden (Dim Mak)
• Sha Na Na - One More Saturday Night (Titan/ Pyramid)
• Sikth - Death of a Dead Day (Bieler Bros.)
• Frank Sinatra Jr. - That Face! (Rhino)
• Sleepaway - Sleepaway (No Milk)
• Smoosh - Free to Stay (Barsuk)
• Sound Team - Movie Monster (Capitol)
• Amy Speace - Songs for Bright Street (Wildflower)
• Richie Spice - Spice in Your Life (VP)
• Stars of Track and Field - Centuries Before Love and War (SideCho)
• Stereo Fuse - All That Remains (Toucan Cove)
• Syd Matters - Syd Matters (V2)
• Trio Beyond - Saudades (two CDs; ECM)
• Vanna - The Search Party Never Came (Epitaph)
• The Wailin' Jennys - Firecracker (Red House)
• Scott Walker - Drift (4AD)
• Katharine Whalen - Dirty Little Secret (MC)
• Yung Joc - New Joc City (Bad Boy)
  Buy Now: New Joc City (Bad Boy)
  
• Zero 7 - The Garden (Atlantic)
• Zox - The Wait (Side One Dummy)
• Various artists - The Dark Psyche: An Aural Exhibition of Black Metal From Top Scholars in the Genre (The End)
• Various artists - Imaginational Anthem, Volume Two (Tompkins Square)
• Various artists - The Rough Guide to Bachata (World Music Network)
• Various artists - The Rough Guide to Planet Rock (World Music Network)
• Various artists - SMACK: Streets Music Arts Culture & Knowledge - The Album, Volume 1 (with DVD; Koch)
• Various artists - Unsound (with bonus DVD; Epitaph)
• Various artists - Warped Tour '06 (two CDs; Side One Dummy)
• Various artists - "Cars" soundtrack (Disney)
• Various artists - "Jesus Is Magic" soundtrack (Interscope)
• Various artists - "The Omen" soundtrack (Varèse Sarabande)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

• Bill Anderson - The Definitive Collection (MCA Nashville)
• Au Pairs - Stepping Out of Line: The Anthology (Castle)
• Albert Ayler - The Impulse Story (Impulse)
• Gato Barbieri - The Impulse Story (Impulse)
• Bee Gees - Children of the World, Their Greatest Hits: The Record (two CDs), One Night Only, Size Isn't Everything, Spirits Having Flown, Still Waters and This Is Where I Came In (Rhino)
• Charo and the Salsoul Orchestra - Cuchi-Cuchi (Salsoul)
• Alice Coltrane - The Impulse Story (Impulse)
• John Coltrane - The Impulse Story (Impulse)
• Will Downing - 20th Century Masters: The Best of Will Downing - The Millennium Collection (Hip-O)
• Dr. John - An Introduction to Dr. John (Fuel)
• Robert Fripp - Exposure (limited edition two-CD version due same day; Discipline)
• Great White - Rock Me: The Best of Great White (Cleopatra)
• Lee Greenwood - The Definitive Collection (MCA Nashville)
• Groove Coverage - Greatest Hits (Universal)
• Tony T. Hall - The Definitive Collection (Hip-O)
• (Hed) p.e. - The Best of (Hed) Planet Earth (Jive)
• Imperative Reaction - Eulogy for the Sick Child (Metropolis)
• Keith Jarrett - The Impulse Story (Impulse)
• DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - The Very Best of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (Jive)
• Jefferson Airplane - The Worst of Jefferson Airplane (RCA)
• Alexis Korner - Kornerstoned: The Anthology 1958-1983 (Castle)
• Lighthouse Family - Greatest Hits (Fontana)
• Meneguar - I Was Born at Night (Troubleman Unlimited)
• Charles Mingus - The Impulse Story (Impulse)
• Mint Condition - 20th Century Masters: The Best of Mint Condition - The Millennium Collection (Hip-O)
• The Muckrakers - Front of the Parade (Universal)
• DJ Quik - Greatest Hits Live at the House of Blues (Mad Science)
• The Ramones - Greatest Hits (Rhino)
• Lou Rawls - The Very Best of Lou Rawls: You'll Never Find Another (Capitol)
• Henry Rollins - Sweatbox (two CDs; 2.13.61)
• Sonny Rollins - The Impulse Story (Impulse)
• Pharoah Sanders - The Impulse Story (Impulse)
• Marvin Sease - Candy Licker: The Sex & Soul of Marvin Sease (Jive)
• Archie Shepp - The Impulse Story (Impulse)
• George Strait - The Ultimate Collection (Madacy)
• Maxine Sullivan and Her Jazz All-Stars - Memories of You: A Tribute to Andy Razaf (Empire Musicwerks)
• Survivor - Reach (Frontiers)
• Harry Taussig - Fate Is Only Once (Tompkins Square)
• Ernest Tubb - The Definitive Collection (MCA Nashville)
• McCoy Tyner - The Impulse Story (Impulse)
• Whodini - Funky Beat: The Best of Whodini (Jive)
• World Party - Bang! and Egyptology (enhanced; Seaview)
• Various artists - Dance Essentials: The Collection, Vol. 1-3 (three-CD box set; UBL)
• Various artists - The House That Trane Built (four CDs; Impulse)
• Various artists - Pure Trance 6 (Water Music)
• Various artists - This Is How We Lounge, Vol. 2 (Sunshine Entertainment)

Music DVDs:

• Abba - "The World's Greatest Albums: The Gold Singles" (Classic Rock Legends)
• Accept - "Metal Blast From the Past" (DualDisc; Music Video Distributors)
• Black Uhuru with Sly & Robbie - "Dubbin' It Live" (Music Video Distributors)
• Kate Bush - "Under Review" (Music Video Distributors)
• Donavon Frankenreiter - "The Abbey Road Sessions" (Lost Highway)
• John Hammond - "Paris Concert" (Music Video Distributors)
• Keith Jarrett - "Tokyo Solo" (EMC)
• Moistboyz - "Live Jihad" (Music Video Distributors)
• Pete Doherty - "Who the Hell Is Pete Doherty?" (Image Entertainment)
• Shakatak - "Live at the Playhouse" (Music Video Distributors)
• Tupac Shakur - "Tupac Unauthorized: So Many Years, So Many Tears - Anniversary Edition" (Music Video Distributors)
• Soft Machine - "New Morning: The Paris Concert" (Music Video Distributor)
• Tiamat - "Church of Tiamat" (Music Video Distributors)
• Two Tons of Steel - "Live! From Gruene Hall" (Palo Duro)
• The Who - "Quadrophenia Live With Special Guests" and "Tommy Live With Special Guests" (Rhino)
• Various artists - "Antone's Home of the Blues: A Legend Every Night" (Koch Vision)
• Various artists - "ATL Underground Live" (Carlos Glover)
• Various artists - "Bastards of Young" (two DVDs; Image)
  Read: "Loud-Rock Docs Rely On Fall Out Boy, Korn For The Undistorted Truth"
• Various artists - "Classic Rhythm & Blues, Volume 5" and "Volume 6" (Music Video Distributors)
• Various artists - "Metalmania 2005" (Music Video Distributors)

Coming Attractions:

June 13:

• Chris Brown - "Chris Brown's Journey" DVD (Jive)
  Preorder: Chris Brown's Journey (Jive)
  
• The Futureheads - News and Tributes (Vagrant)
  Preorder: News and Tributes (Vagrant)
  
• Busta Rhymes - The Big Bang (Aftermath)
  Read: "Busta Making An Even Bigger Bang With Em, ODB, Neptunes, Rick James"
  Preorder: The Big Bang (Aftermath)
  
• Shadows Fall - Fallout From the War (Century Media)
  Preorder: Fallout From the War (Century Media)
  
• Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped (Geffen)
  Preorder: Rather Ripped (Geffen)
  
• Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope (two-CD limited-edition version due same day; Sire/ London/ Rhino)
  Preorder: Begin to Hope (Sire/ London/ Rhino)
  

• Fefe Dobson - Sunday Love (enhanced; Island)
  Preorder: Sunday Love (Island)
  
• Nelly Furtado - Loose (Geffen)
  Read: "Nelly Furtado Hooks Up With 'Distant Cousin' Timberlake, Emerges With 'Sexy' Song"
  Preorder: Loose (Geffen)
  
• Keane - Under the Iron Sea (Interscope)
  Read: "Keane Nearly Followed Breakthrough With A Breakup"
  Preorder: Under the Iron Sea (Interscope)
  
• Madonna - I'm Going to Tell You a Secret (with DVD; Maverick)
  Preorder: I'm Going to Tell You a Secret (Maverick)
  
• Pearl Jam - Live at Easy Street (J)
• Obie Trice - Second Round's on Me (Aftermath)
  Preorder: Second Round's on Me (Aftermath)
  

• Björk - Surrounded (seven-DualDisc box set; Rhino)
• Dashboard Confessional - Dusk and Summer (Vagrant)
  Read: "No Reggae Emo, But New Dashboard LP Owes A Lot To Jamaica"
  Preorder: Dusk and Summer (Vagrant)
  
• Lostprophets - Liberation Transmission
  Read: "Lostprophets Enlist Metallica Producer But Leave 'Chugga-Chugga' Metal Behind"

• AFI
• Ice Cube
• Head Automatica
• DJ Khaled
• Holly Brook

Peeping Tom's <i>Peeping Tom</i>
Photo: Ipecac Recordings

Memorial Day was established to honor Union soldiers who fought in the Civil War. But the holiday isn't too civil to record stores, pretty much stymieing anything of interest from hitting the racks.

OK, that's a little harsh. There are some records you might care about as you recover from the long weekend:

Peeping Tom's self-titled record is classic Mike Patton. The Tomahawk/ Fantômas/ Lovage mastermind overextends himself yet again with this long-in-the-works project, which slipped out a much-prized bootleg demo years ago but hasn't made a peep since. Yanking the unconventional pop group out of obscurity is Norah Jones, who graces the second-to-last track, "Sucker." Patton's typically unpredictable guest list also includes Massive Attack, Bebel Gilberto, Dan the Automator, Kool Keith, Amon Tobin, Kid Koala and Dub Trio, who put out an album of their own last week. If you're looking for Patton product that isn't alienating, this is it.

Death Becomes Them: Just in case you didn't hear them screaming their faces off the first time around, Thine Eyes Bleed are reservicing their debut LP, In the Wake of Separation, in time for their tour in support of Slayer (TEB's bassist is the brother of Slayer's Tom Araya). The refreshed version has the bonus cut "Better Off Dead," which was only available in Japan, and the video for "Cold Victim." And Florida death-metal vets Morbid Angel — who are heavily influenced by Slayer — are reaching back even further with the re-release of 1989's Altars of Madness, which comes with three remix tracks and a bonus DVD featuring the band's gig at the U.K.'s Nottingham Rock City in '89.

Victory Scores: One label isn't getting much rest this weekend: punk imprint Victory Records. Its so-called "Super Tuesday" marks the arrival of In the Shadow of Two Gunmen, the second effort by pop duo the Forecast; Questions and Answers, the second one by angsty New Yorkers the Sleeping; 18 Candles: The Early Years, which packs in 18 retrospective tracks — including concert cuts and remixes — by Canadian post-hardcore act Silverstein; and The Great Compromise, a colorful record by cheerleading three-piece the Junior Varsity that features "Left Foot Right Foot," "Peter Cottontail and the Demise of the Carrot Tree" and more.

Don't Forget to Preorder: In case you haven't learned your lesson, here are two more reasons to plan ahead: preorders of Minutes to Miles by New Jersey newcomers Crash Romeo came with limited-edition tees, while early copies of Terror's three-hour "The Living Proof" DVD was bundled with a stencil and poster.

That's So Yesterday: It's like 1981 all over again this week, what with the 25th anniversary of psych-experimentalists Legendary Pink Dots. Their Your Children Placate You From Premature Graves follows up 2004's The Whispering Wall and includes "Stigmata (Part 4)" and "The Made Man's Manifesto." Celtic Frost have an equally impressive milestone with Monotheist, the hugely influential metal band's first record in 13 years.

'80s Hits Stripped culls acoustic tracks by Billy Idol, Rick Springfield, the Go-Go's and other yesteryear greats, and the label's so jazzed for the release that it's throwing a party at Johnny Depp's Viper Room on Hollywood's Sunset Strip. Blasters honcho Dave Alvin recaps John Fogerty, Jerry Garcia, Brian Wilson and other Left Coasters on West of the West, while blues-rocker George Thorogood and the Destroyers run through tunes by Bob Dylan, Fats Domino and more on The Hard Stuff. And if you're a Motörhead fan, you'll no doubt recognize the cover of "Killed by Death" that appears as a bonus cut on the debut LP by all-female Swedish quartet Crucified Barbara, who have already made waves back home.

You've definitely heard the Von Bondies' "C'mon C'mon" by now; the title track to "Rescue Me" kicks off the show's soundtrack, which also features Wolf Parade, the Brian Jonestown Massacre and other decidedly noncommercial acts. And if you're an ardent Zero 7 fan, you've probably already heard Sophie Barker's Earthbound, which dropped in the U.K. last year but is finally getting a U.S. release. And Finnish psychedelic minimalists Kiila issued their Heartcore five years ago in other territories, but it's finally dropping Stateside this week.

Chatham County Line — a rootsy project out of Raleigh, North Carolina, that incorporates fiddle, banjo and more — are churning out their third effort, the playfully titled Speed of the Whippoorwill. Singer/guitarist Dave Wilson says the bandmembers "see ourselves more like a rock band without a drummer and cables than a 1940s traditional bluegrass band." But debuting Chicago sextet the 1900s are more than happy to be lodged in the last century. The band's Plume Delivery EP calls to mind the New Pornographers and the Kinks and boasts "Bring the Good Boys Home" and "Flight of the Monowings."

If you want something really archaic, look no further than Wes Montgomery's "Live in Europe 1965," a DVD that captures the famed jazz guitarist in his prime. And while we're on the subject of age, let's give it up for Ralph Stanley, the bluegrass immortal who is putting out A Distant Land to Roam: Songs of the Carter Family at the tender age of 79.

Song Title of the Week:

"Don't Forget to Set the House on Fire Before You Crawl into Bed" from Junior Varsity's The Great Compromise

Other Notables:

Les Claypool's Of Whales and Woe: The Primus bass whiz has been busier than ever with a new feature film ("Electric Apricot: Quest for Festeroo"), novel and everlasting tour. His latest solo outing includes "Robot Chicken," the theme to the cartoon show of the same name; "Back Off Turkey," which showcases his two kids banging on various objects; and "Iowan Gal," a paean to Claypool's wife.

Quietdrive's When All That's Left Is You: These Minneapolis rockers have "buzz" written all over them, what with a red-hot MySpace page and raves from The Los Angeles Times. They get an additional boost from Avril Lavigne producer Butch Walker and heralded mixer Chris Lord-Alge on the LP, which features "Rise From the Ashes," "Take a Drink With Me" and "Maybe Misery."

Asobi Seksu's Citrus: Their name means "playful sex" in Japanese and they've topped mtvU's Dean's List, and if you're in the mood to dream, Asobi Seksu have your number. The group's bilingual, keyboard-laced sophomore disc includes "Pink Cloud Tracing Paper" and "Nefi+Girly" and will fit in comfortably next to your Lush and My Bloody Valentine CDs.

New Releases:

• The 1900s - Plume Delivery (EP; Parasol)
  
• Dave Alvin - West of the West (Yep Roc)
  Buy Now: West of the West (Yep Roc)
  
• Asobi Seksu - Citrus (Friendly Fire)
  
• Sophie Barker - Earthbound (Emperor)
  
• Boards of Canada - Trans Canada Highway (EP; Warp)
  Buy Now: Trans Canada Highway (Warp)
  
• Celtic Frost - Monotheist (Century Media)
  Buy Now: Monotheist (Century Media)
  
• Chatham County Line - Speed of the Whippoorwill (Yep Roc)
  
• Les Claypool - Of Whales and Woe (digipak; Prawn Song)
  Buy Now: Of Whales and Woe (Prawn Song)
  
• Cordovan - Lunaticworks Jazz Presents: Cordovan - Highway 10 Blues (Reincarnate)
  
• Crash Romeo - Minutes to Miles (limited edition comes with T-shirt; Trustkill)
  Buy Now: Minutes to Miles (Trustkill)
  
• Crucified Barbara - In Distortion We Trust (enhanced; Liquor & Poker)
  
• Todd Deatherage - Todd Deatherage (EP; Summer Break)
  
• The Forecast - In the Shadow of Two Gunmen (Victory)
  Buy Now: In the Shadow of Two Gunmen (Victory)
  
• The Junior Varsity - The Great Compromise (with DVD; Victory)
  
• Herbert - Scale (K7)
  
• Kiila - Heartcore (Say Hey)
  
• The Legendary Pink Dots - Your Children Placate You From Premature Graves (ROIR)
  
• Jesper Kyd - "Hitman: Blood Money" soundtrack (Sumthing Else)
  
• Peeping Tom - Peeping Tom (Ipecac)
  Read: "Norah Jones Curses Up A Storm For New Mike Patton Project"
  
• The Procussions - 5 Sparrows for 2 Cents (Red Urban)
  
• Quietdrive - When All That's Left Is You (Epic/ Red)
  
• The Sleeping - Questions and Answers (Victory)
  
• Ralph Stanley - A Distant Land to Roam: Songs of the Carter Family (Columbia)
  
• Surel - For My Good - Romans 8:28 (Comin' Atcha)
  
• George Thorogood and the Destroyers - The Hard Stuff (Eagle)
  Buy Now: The Hard Stuff (Eagle)
  
• Tied & Tickled Trio - A.R.C. (Morr)
  
• Amalea Tshilds - Painted Tiles (Fallen Fan)
  
• Various artists - '80s Hits Stripped (Sidewinder)
  
• Various artists - "Rescue Me" soundtrack (Nettwerk)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

• Jamie Lidell - Multiply Additions (Warp)
  
• Kris Kristofferson - Austin City Limits: Live From Austin, TX (New West)
  
• Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness (with DVD; Earache)
  Buy Now: Altars of Madness (Earache)
  
• Charley Pride - The Essential Charley Pride (two CDs; RCA/ Legacy)
  
• Jim Reeves - The Essential Jim Reeves (two CDs; RCA/ Legacy)
  
• Silverstein - 18 Candles: The Early Years (Victory)
  Buy Now: 18 Candles: The Early Years (Victory)
  
• Space Needle - Recordings 1994-1997 (Eenie Meenie)
  
• Thine Eyes Bleed - In the Wake of Separation (enhanced; The End)
  Buy Now: In the Wake of Separation (The End)
  
• Johnny "Guitar" Watson - Best of the Funk Years (Shout! Factory)

Music DVDs:

• The Beatles - "Liverpool" (Arts Magic)
  
• Blöod Düster - "The Shape of Death to Come" (Season Mist)
  
• The Charlatans UK - "Live at Last" (Standing Room Only)
  
• Alice Cooper - "Live at Montreux 2005" (Eagle Vision)
  
• Deep Purple - "Live at Montreux 1996" (Eagle Vision)
  
• Rory Gallagher - "Live at Montreux" (Eagle Vision)
  
• Wes Montgomery - "Live in Europe 1965" (EJazz Lines)
  
• Terror - "The Living Proof" (Trustkill)
  
• Ali Farka Touré - "A Visit to Ali Farka Touré" (Kultur)

Coming Attractions:

June 6:

• AFI - Decemberunderground (Interscope)
  Read: "AFI: Mad Prolific Or Mad Exaggerators?"
  Preorder: Decemberunderground (Interscope)
  
• Head Automatica - Popaganda (Warner Bros.)
  Read: "Daryl Palumbo Spreads Head Automatica Popaganda"
  Preorder: Popaganda (Warner Bros.)
  
• Ice Cube - Laugh Now, Cry Later (Lench Mob)
  Read: "Ice Cube Wants The Last Laugh With Independent LP Featuring Lil Jon, Snoop"
  Preorder: Laugh Now, Cry Later (Lench Mob)
  
• Paul Oakenfold - A Lively Mind (Maverick)
  Preorder: A Lively Mind (Maverick)
  

June 13:

• The Futureheads - News and Tributes (Vagrant)
  Preorder: News and Tributes (Vagrant)
  
• Busta Rhymes - The Big Bang (Aftermath)
  Read: "Busta Rhymes Album Preview: Bus Gets Deep About The Big Bang"
  Preorder: The Big Bang (Aftermath)
  
• Shadows Fall - Fallout From the War (Century Media)
  Preorder: Fallout From the War (Century Media)
  
• Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped (Geffen)
  Preorder: Rather Ripped (Geffen)
  
• Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope (two-CD limited-edition version also available; Sire/ London/ Rhino)
  Preordere: Begin to Hope (Sire/ London/ Rhino)
  

June 20:

• Fefe Dobson - Sunday Love (enhanced; Island)
  Preorder: Sunday Love (Island)
  
• Nelly Furtado - Loose (Geffen)
  Read: "Nelly Furtado Hooks Up With 'Distant Cousin' Timberlake, Emerges With 'Sexy' Song"
  Preorder: Loose (Geffen)
  
• Keane - Under the Iron Sea (Interscope)
  Read: "Keane Nearly Followed Breakthrough With A Breakup"
  Preorder: Under the Iron Sea (Interscope)
  
• Madonna - I'm Going to Tell You a Secret (with DVD; Maverick)
  Preorder: I'm Going to Tell You a Secret (Maverick)
  
• Pearl Jam - Live at Easy Street (J)

• Peeping Tom
• Silverstein
• Les Claypool
• Thine Eyes Bleed
• The Charlatans UK

Head Automatica
Photo: Warner Bros.

Daryl Palumbo hesitated mid-sentence and stalled. He was talking about Head Automatica's forthcoming second record, but locked up when asked if the work's been given an official title. It's a question that shouldn't be giving the likes of Palumbo — who, as frontman for Long Island, New York, hardcore outfit Glassjaw, has more than six years' experience answering interview questions — as much stress as it is at the moment.

"Um... well ... it does not have a title yet," Palumbo said, his words sounding more like a question than an answer. "I mean, I think we have the title, but I just want to make sure it's that sh--, that one. I think it is."

The singer explained that the album will probably contain around 13 tracks, and be out in late May or early June. Oh, and Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, Motörhead) produced it, and the recording is basically all done. "All Right — I'll give you the title," Palumbo blurted. "And if I say it, that means right here and now, it's the title of the record. Do you want to know it? This is the first time I'm saying it, actually. Alright. The name of the album is Popaganda."

That wasn't so bad, was it? "I'm pretty stoked on [the title], but it takes a while to make sure it's perfect," he continued. "This record has to be absolutely perfect in every respect, from the way it looks to the name. And I think it's pretty near perfect."

Originally considering a double album ("It's ambitious, but then again, who the f--- am I to do that?"), Head Automatica wrote more than 50 tracks for Popaganda, including "Laughing at You," "Oxycontin," "K Horse" and the likely first single, a tune called "Graduation Day." All the material for the follow-up to 2004's Decadence was recorded over three months in Los Angeles.

"The last record was a party album. This record is definitely not a party album," Palumbo said. "It's a power-pop record, but it's not a party album. It's not a 'Put it on and f---ing rock out' record. This one has bangers, for sure. But the focus on this album is a [Beatles-era] backbeat sound, like mod-revival power pop. It's as white-boy soul as you can get."

This week, Head Automatica will gas up the old van and make a beeline from Los Angeles to Seattle for the start of a six-gig West Coast run with Morningwood. Then they'll take a week off before heading for New Jersey, where they'll start a string of East Coast dates.

Palumbo said Head Automatica will be touring as much as possible in 2006, and that he'll also be buckling down and devoting serious time to Glassjaw's next album, which could surface before the end of 2007 (see "Head Automatica's Midas Touch Won't Shatter Glassjaw"). "[Guitarist Justin] Beck has songs, and I have songs and we have like three done," the singer said. "We have older songs that weren't on anything that we've revamped and made perfect now, but we're still very much in the writing stages." Palumbo said that the Glassjaw lineup, rounded out by drummer Durijah Lang and Saves the Day bassist Manuel Carrero, "sounds tighter and bigger and more brutal and heavier than it's ever sounded. There's a new record in the works. It's been slow going, but its coming."

Palumbo is also involved in a project called Shoot Frank, which features Hatebreed's Sean Martin, Cage Kennels and El-P. Martin and Palumbo are additionally working on Heartless, the debut disc from their band House of Blow. "I sing, and it's all really pretty-like, smoked-out hush vocals," Palumbo said. "It's like modern R&B — like Portishead meets Dipset or Three 6 Mafia. Real thug sh--."

• Head Automatica

Glassjaw (file)
Photo: Warner Bros.

Daryl Palumbo has his good days, and then he has his bad days. For most of the Head Automatica frontman's life, this is just the way it's been; Palumbo suffers from Crohn's disease, a debilitating condition that creates intestinal inflammation. Last week, when Palumbo spoke to MTV News from Washington, D.C., where his disco-infused rock hybrid was scheduled to perform later that evening at Nation, he was having a good day.

"I feel good," he explained, after revealing he'd had a third Crohn's-related surgery back in December following a relapse of the disease. He's seemed to be in remission ever since, thanks to some experimental treatment. "I try to live day to day and keep my headspace positive. Lately I've been really happy, because the longer I'm on the road, the happier I seem to be."

That was before this week, when he suffered a mild relapse which subsequently forced the cancellation of seven of the band's upcoming shows with I Am the Avalanche and the Start — Tuesday night's gig in Denver through a July 28 set in Los Angeles. In the past, Palumbo's Crohn's has sidelined many tours and projects; he's currently being treated at an undisclosed hospital.

He did, however, reveal plans to release a second album's worth of Head Automatica material in early 2006, as well as a fresh offering from his other band, Strong Island hardcore heroes Glassjaw.

"[Glassjaw] hasn't really been alive for the past two years, I guess," he said of the band, which will play 16 shows with the Used starting on August 13 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, through September 4 in Wilmington, Delaware. "We haven't played since 2003, but it's a good time to do it. It's a few shows, and it's something that [guitarist Justin] Beck and I have wanted to do for a little bit."

Palumbo said while guitarist Todd Weinstock's left the band to form his newest project, called Men, Women and Children, and drummer Larry Gorman's no longer part of the band (he's a full-time Head Automatica member), bassist Manuel Carrero's back on board, as is original Glassjaw drummer Durijah Lang. But for more than a year, ever since news of Palumbo and Dan "the Automator" Nakamura collaborating for Head Automatica first surfaced (see "Dan 'The Automator' Readies 2004 Triple Assault"), Glassjaw's status has been something of a question mark — and for several months, the band was believed to be finished.

"We were ... playing a lot of heavy music every day for a very long time, and the stress of being on tour puts your band through a lot of things, whether it's fights or disagreements or just, I mean, sometimes you just grow up," he explained. "Your personalities pan out to be different as well. Glassjaw started out so f---ing long ago. Most bands don't last a decade; Glassjaw started exploding after being a band for 10 years. There were personality differences and being on tour for years with no breaks, it brings out ... tense situations. After touring for so long I wanted a break, and I was writing tons of music — stuff I knew wasn't particularly suited for Glassjaw."

But that hasn't stopped Palumbo and Beck from writing new Glassjaw material. The singer said they've penned three new compositions, only one of which has been named: "Natural Born Farmer." But as far as when a new Glassjaw album could hit stores, he couldn't say. "At some point, I don't know when," he said. "I have no idea. Glassjaw, that was the sort of band that, if sh-- just kind of happened, it happened. Whenever the time presents itself, it will happen. And it will happen. I just don't know when."

These days, Palumbo's living in Head Automatica-ville, and his thoughts revolve around what's happening with this band, which is rounded out by keyboardist Jessie Nelson, bassist Jarvis Morgan Holden and guitarist Craig Bonich.

"My whole life is this band right now," he said, adding that, with 40 songs written, there could be a new record out soon after 2005 runs out. "The new sh-- is special, I promise. There are some points that I think [are] just breathtaking." He promises power pop with electronica elements.

The band was also in New York last month to shoot a video with Jon Watts (Fatboy Slim, the Thrills) for "Beating Heart Baby," the latest single from 2004's Decadence (see "Glassjaw Singer No Longer Hopping Mad — Just Hopping").

In it, the band's shown playing the track on a stage, donning ostentatious attire in front of a wall of flashing colored lights and before a crowd of pogo-prone fans. A female rushes the stage, and when she touches Palumbo, she disappears into a puff of white smoke. In almost a King Midas-like reversal, the viewer sees she's been transformed into a gold statue when the smoke clears. Other women follow her lead with similar results.

"It came out really great," Palumbo remarked. "It looks cute and has a lot of bright lights."

Beyond his own two bands, Palumbo's also making several appearances on other albums; he sings on "Chomping at the Bit" from Every Time I Die's Gutter Phenomenon and appears on This Is Hell's cover of 108's "When Death Closes Your Eyes." He's also working with Thursday's Geoff Rickly, Chree from the Number 12 Looks Like You and Kiss It Goodbye's Eric Cooper on a project they're calling United Nations.

He said it's a blast-beat-riddled grindcore band. "I'm supposed to be handed what has been done, up to all of my parts," he said. "Then I'll be doing my guitar parts on top of that. I'm very into it. It's definitely going to see the light of day, and it's going to be f---ing great. When we were in New York for the 'Beating Heart Baby' video, we played a show the following night, and Geoff was hanging out. I bullsh--ted with him a lot about it. Those two days were crucial to the whole vision of what this project will be."

• Head Automatica
• Glassjaw

2006: The Best of Studio Photos

• Lil Jon
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• Kelis
• Beck
• Nelly Furtado

MTV.com LIVE: Head Automatica

• Head Automatica

MTV.com Exclusive: Head Automatica Photos 06.13.2006

• Head Automatica