XTC fanatics, get ready to call in for a little of that emergency sick time, as co-founder
Andy Partridge releases a stunning nine-CD box set,
Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album, Tuesday on his own Ape Records imprint. More than 100 songs are spread over the discs, collecting demos, outtakes and other odd versions of XTC sessions during the band's Virgin Records years. Crafted to replicate the popular postage stamp albums of the 1960s, the box contains an oversized booklet featuring his recording philosophy and session memories, plus a sheet of collectable faux-postage that duplicates each CD's stamp design. ... Another terrific multi-CD set on the horizon is Epic Legacy's release at the end of this month of
The Singles Box from
The Clash. All 19 of their original UK-only seven-inch singles will become CD singles in replica cardboard sleeves, including the collectable "Capitol Radio EP" that was given away free in
NME. Each single is expanded with bonus 12-inch versions and other rarities. A nice 44-page booklet is promised, with written contributions from Mike D, Pete Townshend, The Edge, Steve Jones, Ian Brown, Shane McGowan and many more humbled fans. The collection is due Oct. 31. ... If you're dressing up as Star Child, Space Ace, Cat Man or The Demon this Halloween, there's one more reason to leave the makeup on, as
KISS unveils
KISSology: Volume One 1974-1977, a two-DVD box set due that spooky Tuesday (Oct. 31) featuring four complete concerts, new personal liner notes, early videos and rare television appearances and interviews, including segments from
The Midnight Special,
The Mike Douglas Show and Paul Lynde's 1976 Halloween special.
Television Alert
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts Rod Stewart Wednesday, Ray LaMontagne Friday and Fergie Monday. The Late Show with David Letterman boasts the killer combination of Jerry Lee Lewis and Neil Young Wednesday, Trey Anastasio Friday and Joseph Arthur Tuesday. Late Night with Conan O'Brien shows off Barenaked Ladies Friday. The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson presents Billy Bragg Wednesday. And Austin City Limits captures Ray Davies this weekend on PBS (check local listings for days and times).
New Releases Coming Tuesday
The Awkward Stage - Heaven Is for Easy Girls (Mint) sunny Indie Pop from Vancouver, produced by New Pornographers' drummer Kurt Dahle; The Be Good Tanyas - Hello Love (Nettwerk) with covers of songs by Neil Young's "For the Turnstiles" and Prince's "When Doves Cry"; Buffalo Killers - Buffalo Killers (Alive) lost in the poppies of psychedelic Blues and featuring the Gabbard brothers from Cincinnati's late Thee Shams; Jimmy Buffett - Take the Weather With You (Mailboat/RCA) with guests Jake Shimabukuro, Mark Knopfler, Sonny Landreth and Gomez; Califone - Roots & Crowns (Thrill Jockey); Cobra Starship - While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets (Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen) new from Gabe Saporta of Midtown and on tour later this month as a part of the MTV2 "$2 Bill" concert series; Great Speckled Bird - Great Speckled Bird (Collector's Choice) CD reissue from 1970 featuring Amos Garrett, Buddy Cage and Ian & Sylvia, with a bonus live track; Micah P. Hinson - Micah P. Hinson and the Opera Circuit (Sketchbook/Jade Tree) whisper quiet heartache featuring string and horn arrangements by Eric Bachmann of Crooked Fingers; Klaxons - Xan Valleys (Modular) wild ride CD EP of hyper dance floor conniptions; Kawabata Makoto and the Mothers of Invasion - Hot Rattlesnakes (MVD) CD reissue featuring members of Acid Mothers Temple, now with new artwork; Michelle Malone - Sugarfoot (TRL Music) her ninth album; (The) Melvins - (A) Senile Animal (Ipecac); Pilot Scott Tracy - We Cut Loose (Alternative Tentacles); Platinum Weird - Make Believe (Interscope) new from Kara DioGuardi and the Eurythmics' Dave Stewart; Robert Pollard - Normal Happiness (Merge) 16 instantly unforgettable Pop songs in 35 minutes from the Guided By Voices founder, produced by Todd Tobias; Pompeii - Assembly (Eyeball) soaring debut from Austin, Tex., that might be the next big thing for the label that launched My Chemical Romance and Thursday; Sister Hazel - Absolutely (Croakin' Poets/Adrenaline) with guest Shawn Mullins on "Mandolin Moon"; So Percussion - Amid the Noise (Cantaloupe) on tour this month with Matmos; featuring a bonus "street walking" DVD; South - Safety in Numbers: South's Tour Diary (Young American) CD and DVD set featuring their cover of New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle"; Nikki Sudden - The Truth Doesn't Matter (Secretly Canadian) posthumous release of his final sessions; Tideland - original motion picture soundtrack (Rykodisc) featuring the film's star, Jeff Bridges, on song in "Van Gogh in Hollywood"; Various Artists - Bloodied but Unbowed: Life in the Trenches (Bloodshot) label stable DVD featuring over three hours of videos and live performances from Graham Parker, Ryan Adams, The Detroit Cobras, Deadstring Brothers and more.
