
Brian Wilson ’s 1988 self-titled solo debut, out of print for several years now, is being re-released by Rhino Records/Warner Archives. The deluxe re-release features remastered versions of the album’s original 11 tracks, plus an additional 15-tracks-worth of unreleased songs and demos. New album-liner notes by David Leaf that also contain quotes and track-by-track comments from Wilson are included in the disc as well.
Wilson has been touring all summer, backed by a full band and orchestra with whom he has been performing the Beach Boys’ classic album “Pet Sounds” in its entirety. Capitol began releasing remastered versions of the original Beach Boys albums in July.
“VH1: The Best of Where Are They Now?” (Rhino) hits shelves this week, featuring a bevy of ‘80s bands spotlighted on the channel’s successful television program of the same name. Big Country’s “In a Big Country,” Bananarama’s “Cruel Summer,” Adam Ant’s “Goody Two Shoes” and Bow Wow Wow’s “I Want Candy” share space with similarly once-huge, now-forgotten hits by acts such as the Hooters, Kim Carnes and Mr. Mister.
Another compilation landing at stores this week is “Loud Rocks” (Sony/Loud Records), which pairs a number of rock and pop artists with a number of rap artists. Such pairings include System of a Down and Wu-Tang Clan, Sugar Ray and Tha Alkoholiks, Sevendust and Xzibit, and Incubus and the late Big Pun. Black Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi also show up for a track with Wu-Tang Clan.
“Spectrum of Infinite Scale” is the latest from Man or Astro-man? The disc’s 12 tracks feature lengthy titles such as “Many Pieces of Large Fuzzy Mammals Gathered Together at a Rave and Schmoozing With a Brick.” The group, currently on tour in North America, is also distributing a disc entitled “Spectrum of Finite Scale,” available for sale only at the band’s live appearances, according to the group’s official website.
Queensryche drummer Scott Rockenfield teams up with musician Paul Speer for “Hells Canyon” (Paulspeer Records), the second collaboration from the pair. Rockenfield and Spear first joined forces in 1998 on “TeleVoid,” the soundtrack for a computer-animated, long-form video. The duo received a Grammy Nomination in the Best Long Form Music Video category that same year.
Other new releases: