News From The Great Beyond

In 1981, Brian Eno and David Byrne collaborated on an album entitled, My Life In The Bush of Ghosts. The album has recently been re-issued in a new package, with extensive liner notes and photos. The new CD features seven previously unreleased tracks from the original album and a film by influential artist Bruce Conner. In keeping with the spirit of the original album, Brian and David are offering for download all the multitracks on two of the songs. And, you are free to edit, remix, and sample these tracks in any way you'd like. Visitors are welcome to post their mixes on the site for others to hear and rate. Check out the website at www.bush-of-ghosts.com.

They have become one of my favorites bands, and I'm sure their new CD will rank in my ten top for 2006. Detroit's The Come Ons have just released their fourth full-length disc, twelve dance pop songs, on their Mo Pop Music imprint. The album was recorded by Jim Kissling at Tempermill studios. You can find samples on the band's myspace page. To my surprise, when I received my CD, there was a picture of former Cub and Red Sox first baseman, Bill Buckner. I'm still trying to figure out how singer, bassist, Deanne Iovan, knew I was a baseball fan, a first baseman on may a baseball and softball team, and a New Yorker who watched Buckner misplay a ground ball that led to the Mets winning their first World Series in 1986. Love the photo, Deanne. The band also features guitarist Bryan Foreman and drummer Patrick Pantano.

It's official. Pedro the Lion's Dave Bazan is roaring back into action. The beloved songwriter has been buried in his home studio crafting a follow up to Achilles Heel. Now sans the PTL moniker, Bazan has redrafted a tour/internet only EP that he will sell on the road and via his site. The EP, entitled Fewer Moving Parts, finds Bazan going back to his musical roots, performing and recording all the music by himself. The EP will have two different versions of five new Bazan songs. One version will be stripped down acoustic and another version will have full-instrumentation. Acclaimed graphic novel artist Zak Sally [Low] is creating the artwork for the EP. Bazan will also tour on the eastern half of the country in June. Meanwhile Pedro the Lion's 2004 tour EP is available through digital outlets. The EP deatures PTL originals as well as three covers.

On the heels of their critically acclaimed More Deep Cuts, San Francisco's Thee More Shallows have released a seven song EP entitled Monkey vs. Shark. The EP includes a smashing cover of Al Green's "I Can't Get Next To You," as well as a new version of "Freshman Thesis" (originally appearing on More Deep Cuts) remixed by Odd Nodsam and Why? (Anticon). Look for the new EP on Turn Records.

Finally, Roadrunner Records has been busy with signings and new releases. First, the New York Dolls, as TGB reported several months ago, will be releasing their first disc in 30 years on July 26th. It's entitled One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This and produced by the equally legendary Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, John Lennon, etc.). The album includes tracks such as "Dance Like a Monkey" and "Take a Good Look at My Good Looks." Also coming are albums from Kentucky's Black Stone Cherry (July), Stone Sour (Come What[ever] May) on August 22nd, Opeth's Ghost Reveries on August 30th, and a special edition of Trivium's Ascendancy, featuring a cover of Metallica's "Master of Puppets." The label also announced the signing of Hatebreed, who can be seen on this year's Ozzfest caravan.