New Releases: Beyonce, Audioslave, Iron Maiden, Alice In Chains, Kinky, Sebadoh, Black Ice, Hem & More
Attack of the Killer B: What does Beyoncé want for her B'Day? How about a #1 album? And with the Labor Day weekend leading to a serious lack of competition, it's extremely likely she'll get what she wants. On the topic of gifts, she's been passing out a few herself to the ardent fans who preordered her LP. Those who relied on Sony Music's online store got a limited-edition hologram photo; people who bought it through Wal-Mart's music-download vehicle were presented with an exclusive remix of "Deja Vu"; and those who went the iTunes route got an exclusive song called "Lost Yo Mind" plus a "Deja Vu" download. If you didn't preorder, want some extra goodies and are willing to shell out a little more cash, the international version has four bonus tracks, including "Check on It" featuring Bun B and Slim Thug and three hidden songs: "Encore for the Fans," "Listen" (from the "Dreamgirls" soundtrack) and an extended mix of "Get Me Bodied." The Japanese pressing has those tracks plus "Creole." Now that's what you call generous.
Book of Revelations: Audioslave have been doing the preorder thing too, treating fans who bought Revelations at Sony Music's online store to a download of "Original Fire" and a coupon, and presenting those who shopped at iTunes with even more bonuses: a live video for "Show Me How to Live," a track-by-track description of the LP, the "Original Fire" video and a digital booklet. Best Buy will offer a deluxe edition of the LP that's upped with a bonus DVD containing a 16-minute film by Danny Clinch. But everyone will have a chance to check out "Wide Awake," about the Hurricane Katrina aftermath, "Jewel of the Summertime" and "Sound of a Gun," all of which appear on the regular edition.
Torturous CDs: Heavy-rock vets Iron Maiden and Alice in Chains have touring in their sights, but they'll be going head-to-head this week in the record racks. Maiden's ridiculously epic A Matter of Life and Death has only 10 tracks but clocks in at a CD-bending 71:52, and the limited deluxe edition is even heftier with a bonus DVD featuring interviews and a pair of in-the-studio performances.
The Essential Alice in Chains is pretty chunky too, outdoing 2001's 10-track Greatest Hits with 29 songs splayed over two CDs. Highlights on the set, which was initially announced in 2004, include "Get Born Again" and "Died," the two songs the band recorded for its Music Bank box set, and remixes of "What the Hell Have I" and "A Little Bitter," which appeared on the "Last Action Hero" soundtrack when Governor Schwarzenegger was still busting up the big screen.
Deep Freeze: Speaking of Ahnold, who also played Mr. Freeze in "Batman & Robin," poet Black Ice slips up the racks this week with his CD debut. A mainstay on Russell Simmons' "Def Poetry Jam," the spoken-word prince increases his vocabulary with The Death of Willie Lynch, getting a boost from Musiq ("Takeyatime"), Floetry's Natalie Stewart ("Shine") and Chyna Black ("Lone Soldier"). Black Ice has an even bigger heavyweight in his corner in Mary J. Blige, with whom he's been touring this summer.
This week's remaining releases are a little thin, but even so, there's plenty of random trivia to be aware of: Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, JJ Cale and Waylon Jennings all contribute to Uncovered, the latest effort by Southern songwriter Tony Joe White. ...The big Boss man himself, Bruce Springsteen, gives his pal Joe Grushecky a boost by piping up on "Code of Silence," a track that appears on the ex-Iron City Houserocker's A Good Life. ... Yes, that really is Colin Hay from Men at Work joining Latin electro-rockers Kinky on their third LP, Reina. ... Also spotted: Afro-beat creator Fela Kuti, cropping up on "In Africa," a DVD by ex-Cream and Blind Faith member Ginger Baker. ... George Winston's Gulf Coast Blues and Impressions - A Hurricane Relief Benefit is pretty self-explanatory and has 100 percent of proceeds going to relief organizations. Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, James Booker and others help further the effort. ... Rex Moroux also has his mind on New Orleans, as his LP Royal Street Inn is named after a hostel in the city, as does folk singer David Rovics, whose Halliburton Boardroom Massacre features "New Orleans," "Paul Wolfowitz" and "Song for Cindy Sheehan." ...
Honkytonk Homeslice and Zilla are both String Cheese Incident side projects, and they'll be competing for jam-band attention with the digipak Honkytonk Homeslice and two-CD All Iz, respectively. ... Massachusetts hard-rockers Seemless recorded their What Have We Become at Longview Studios, the same studio that's been graced by Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones. ... It's been 10 years since NYC underground heroes Alice Donut recorded together with their original lineup, but that streak is being broken with Fuzz. ... Roman Numerals, who log a self-named LP this week, feature guys who used to be in Dirtnap, Shiner and Season to Risk. The latter band was featured in 1995's Ralph Fiennes-starring "Strange Days." ... Threatening duo Jucifer have put out three LPs, but each one has dropped on a different label. This week's If Thine Enemy Hunger comes courtesy Relapse. ... Vader's Impressions in Blood is the 18th item the 20-year-old metal band has logged in its catalog.
Song Titles of the Week:
The track list to Horse the Band's Pizza EP: "Anti-Pizza," "Crippled by Pizza (Pizzarrhea in the Pizzeria)," "Werepizza," "Pizza Nif," and, of course, "T.M.N.T."
Other Notables:
Grizzly Bear's Yellow House: Christopher Taylor has blossomed his formerly one-man, field-tape-dependent project into a four-piece act that will be opening for TV on the Radio for a handful of October gigs. Grizzly Bear now employ woodwinds, effects pedals and four-part harmonies, a new blend they show off on "Central and Remote," "On a Neck on a Spit" and "Colorado."
Sebadoh's III reissue: Widely considered to be essential indie-rock listening, the 1991 release is bolstered by a 17-track bonus disc chock-full of rarities. That includes the band's Gimme Indie Rock! EP from the same year, four-track demos of "The Freed Pig" and "Never Jealous" and more.
Made Out of Babies' Coward: This New York loud-rock foursome earns the honor for most unsettling album cover of the week: It features the up-close image of a kid who's been beaten to a pulp. Don't expect the music itself, documented by noise guru and noted engineer Steve Albini, to be any sweeter. Tracks include "Mr. Prison Shanks," "Gunt" and "Proud to Drown." Yikes.
New Releases:
Read: [article id="1527383"]"New Audioslave LP: 'Led Zeppelin Meets Earth, Wind & Fire' "[/article]
Read: [article id="1533201"]"Beyonce's Triple Threat: New Album, Film, Fashion Line Before Year's End"[/article]
Read: [article id="1539389"]"New Iron Maiden LP Is So Deep That Even The Band Doesn't Get It"[/article]
Notable Reissues and Archival Material:
Music DVDs:
Coming Attractions:
September 12:
Read: [article id="1527922"]"Mastodon LP Tackles Auto-Cannibalism, One-Eyed Sasquatch"[/article]
Read: [article id="1538469"]"Justin Previews New Tracks At Hollywood Show With Help From Will.I.Am, Timbaland"[/article]
September 19:
Read: [article id="1538614"]"Fergie's Split-Pea Soup: Reggae, Jazz, Ludacris, B Real On 'Crazy' Solo LP"[/article]
Read: [article id="1536227"]"In September, Get Jesse McCartney Right Where You Want Him"[/article]
Read: [article id="1539671"]"New Found Glory Unveil Track List; New LP Is 'Different From Everything Out There' "[/article]
September 26:
Read: [article id="1535368"]"Therapy Is In Session: Kanye, Pharrell, R. Kelly Hop On Luda's LP"[/article]
Read: [article id="1536124"]"Mewithoutyou Confront Rock's Limitations: 'You Can't Give People Hugs In A CD' "[/article]
