When You Get To Know Princessa

Jason Falkner has released a brand new CD in Japan called All Quiet on the Noise Floor and I can't get my hands on it soon enough. Just like his previous release, this one is Japan-only for now. Wikipedia suggests we may see it released here by the end of the year, but I'm not optimistic. I'm Ok, You're Ok was supposed to see a US release last month but I still see no signs of that. According to Bad News, it is "prohibited to export." Sigh.

Hippies Are Dead unearthed the lead track from the album, Princessa, though its legitimacy as a final version has been questioned. Art Into Dust also has some more details. Noise McCartney Records' MySpace has a couple tracks streaming and HisSpace has Princessa.

Thanks, @notlameguy. I hope Not Lame is able to get the import soon.

The Quickening

How terribly rude - such inessential matters such as work, children with pneumonia, and family visits over just the past few weeks forced me to neglect the Japan-only release of Roger Joseph Manning Jr.'s new album Catnip Dynamite.

It is neglected no more.

Yes, disappointingly it is only available in Japan or through this fancy new thing called the Interwebs. The price surely ain't right (Amazon, seriously, $50+?!?), but the good people on ManningSpace, Inc. told us a little secret - you can find it relatively cheap (for an import) at cdjapan.co.jp (2300 yen = $20-something). To save on shipping, it's going to take something like 2 years to get to me, but I'll let you know how it is.

UpdateIt is also available through Not Lame for pre-order for $36. Better than $50. It is due at Not Lame by the first week in April so it will ship faster than the Japan site. Too bad I already ordered mine from Japan. I should have known Not Lame would come through.

You Came to Town Like a Gift from God

I'm just finishing up my first listen to Jason Falkner's new import-only-for-now album I'm Ok You're Ok and you won't be surprised to hear that I think it's amazing. He's noted that it's his most personal and stripped down record to date ("This is the record that would've cracked me had I been made of balsa wood but I am indeed human and I hope you all enjoy my homegrown efforts."), which I think is fairly evident. It even evokes Jeff Buckley at times, especially in the vocals. But by no means does Jason abandon the melodies and hooks we've come to expect. This is a great record that I'm sure will continue to grow on me. I got my copy from Not Lame and you should too because they're not.

You Think You're So Clever

Following the excellent news about a new Jason Falkner release, it appears Roger Joseph Manning Jr. will also be releasing a new album on April 18. As with Falkner's CD, it appears Manning's will only (or at least first) be released in Japan on Pony Canyon. One caveat: this release will be under Manning's remixer alter-ego Malibu (which was evidently and inadvertently given to Manning by Beck).

Now I don't know Japanese, but it's pretty clear that Manning is being credited on all these songs:

1. YESTERYEAR
作曲:Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
2. PLEASE DON'T GO
作詞/作曲:Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
3. THE BOUNCE
作詞/作曲:Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
4. GERMAN OIL
作曲:Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
5. ANIMAL LOVIN' KEN
作曲:Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
6. PARISIAN NIGHTS
作曲:Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
7. SIDEKICKS
作曲:Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
8. RUBBER TUBES
作曲:Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
9. SHE GETS AROUND
作詞/作曲:Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
10. D.I.E.T
作詞/作曲:Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
11. TIME TO TIME
作詞/作曲:Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
12. WHIPS & CHAINS ON THE ASTRAL PLANE
作詞/作曲:Roger Joseph Manning Jr.

Cool. I've always wanted Japanese (or lots of question marks) on this blog. I have no idea about a domestic release.

I've Seen Eloquence In Its Purest Sense

Ok, if my favorite artists keep releasing CDs only in Japan, my wife is going to start wondering why every album in my collection cost $35!

Jason Falkner is the latest to release only (or at least first) in Japan. His new album I'm Ok...You're Ok hits stores (there) on April 18. Bone up on your Japanese and read more about it here, courtesy of Noise McCartney Records. Cute name.

Keep checking back here. Hopefully Amazon.com will pick up the import soon.

UPDATE: Missed this part of his Web site's message: "...and will see a proper U.S. release this summer." Sweet.