New Release Tuesday 3/14/06

The new stuff is really weak, so I had to point out several reissues.

Recommended
None at this time.

Things I Need To Hear/View
Tucky Buzzard Time Will Be Your Doctor: Rare Recordings (two CDs) (Castle) - Legendary late 60's/early 70's British hard rockers that I've always heard good things about, but never heard. This is the US release at a lower price point.

DVD Townes Van Zandt Be Here to Love Me: A Film About (documentary w/rare performances, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews w/Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Steve Earle and more) (Palm Pictures) - I haven't seen this yet but if you're a TVZ fan it's essential. I hear it's really good.

Other Noteworthy Releases
Black Sabbath Greatest Hits 1970-1978 (Warner Bros./Rhino) - The Sanctuary two-disc hits collection is better, but if you don't have any Ozzy-era Sabbath then you should pick this up. So many bands are ripping off this sound lately.

D.M.C. (of Run-D.M.C.) Checks Thugs and Rock 'N' Roll (RomenMpire/From Rags 2 Riches) -Guests Rev Run, Sarah McLaughlin, Kid Rock, members of Aerosmith and more. This sounds pretty awful just look at those guests.

Devo 2.0 Devo 2.0 (Disney Sound) - Includes two brand new songs and music videos directed by original band member Jerry Casale. I know this is for kids, but still...WTF?

E-40 My Ghetto Report Card (Warner Bros.) - Produced by Lil Jon.

Hard-Fi Stars of CCTV (Atlantic) - They're appearing live at Tower Records in Sherman Oaks today and Coachella on 4/29/06. They're from Ali G's home (Staines) and had a Mercury Music Prize nomination. It sounds really generic to me.

Stephin Merritt Showtunes (Nonesuch) - The Magnetic Fields frontman releases a compilation of music written for three operas.

Willie Nelson You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker (Lost Highway) - Willie pays tribute to a major Western Swing songwriter. He'll be performing live at the Hollywood Bowl from 9/8-9/10.

The Pretenders Pirate Radio (four-CDs/DVD box set) (Rhino) - I'm a big fan of their debut album, but don't need a whole boxset. Maybe you do?

Prince Ultimate (Rhino) - You probably already have all the stuff on the first disc and the second disc is all remixes. Far from being an "ultimate" collection.

Soledad Brothers The Hardest Walk (Alive) - Punk blues band from Detroit. Jack White produced their first 7".

Sonic Youth Sonic Youth EP (Geffen) - I think you can skip this and the Ciccone Youth reissue. This is their first EP originally released in 1982. EVOL, Sister, Daydream Nation, Goo, Dirty and Washing Machine are all worth picking up.