NewMusic ® CMJ 25 SUPER FURRY ANIMALS Report REVIEWED: LIFESAVAS, IMA ROBOT, VUSI MAHLASELA, CMJ SPOTLIGHT PORCUPINE TREE... PLUS MORE! Issue No. 822 • July 14, 2003 • www.cmj.com DANGER! HIGH VOLTA CMJ The Mars Volta Gets Ready To Say What Words Never Can CMJ RETAIL To Infinity And Beyonce STATION PROFILE Hearing Voices: Maine’s WERU MUSIC NEWS Cat Claws The Lips RADIO 200:RADIOHEAD LOCKED AT NO. 1 • SUPER FURRY ANIMALS MOST ADDED 7/14/2003 Issue No. 822 • Vol 76 • No. 7 COVER STORY 8 Escape From Mars While Mars Volta’s debut LP, De-Loused In The Comatorium, wrings arrhythmic chaos, intricate prog-rock and shrill harmonies, Mars Volta itself was wrought with bereavement after the loss of keyboardist and partner-in-arms Jeremy Ward, who died mid-tour. Guitarist Omar Rodriguez- Lopez checks in with CMJ to discuss the redemptive qualities of playing music; something the group will need as the remaining members attempt to pick up the pieces and carry on. DEPARTMENTS 4 The Week In Industry News or not, the Animal’s sixth record is sure to The RIAA unleashes its lawyers on the unsus- blow listeners away with its surreal, epic pop. 8 pecting public; Major League Baseball hits a grand slam with Clear Channel. 24 Tours Liz Phair shakes up Tour Of The Week, 5 The Week In Music News Beautiful Mistake leads the Vital Five, and The Flaming Lips get into a Cat-fight; Open Hand, Lonesome Organist, Stephan Spiritualized finds Grace with Sanctuary and Smith and more land in the news! Blur’s Modern Life Is Rubbish receives CMJ’s “Silver Salute.” 25 Loud Rock Reviews of Fu Manchu, Nightrage and Figure 6 Essential/Reviews Four; Iron Maiden track listing revealed; new Lifesavas, Ima Robot, Revolution Smile, Fred Ill Niño lineup announced; Zakk Wylde com- Avril, Vusi Mahlasela, Porcupine Tree, Diffuser ments on new Ozzy album; Nuclear Assault’s and Ohgr. Danny Lilker ‘fesses up in this week’s Q&A. 23 12 Radio 200 28 Jazz Radiohead camps out at No. 1. Reviews of Skerik’s new project, Joey Defracesco’s lastest, and Harry Connick, Jr.’s 16 Core Radio 75 instrumental album; plus, coverage of all the Radiohead at No. 1 here too. drama and laughter at the Jazz Journalists Awards, and the correct news about what’s 17 At The Core going on with singer Shirley Horn. WUSC/Columbia, SC prepares for 24 hours of the Beatles; WUSB/Stony Brook, NY wraps up 30 RPM its year-long 25th anniversary celebration; Reviews of records from Swayzak, Norman Jay WRFL/Lexington hosts “A Day Of Damage”. and Josh One; News on So Solid Crew, Fluke, Freq Nasty, Scratch Perverts, Massive Attack 18 Specialty Charts and Kosheen; plus, CMJ gets ill with Ils. Natacha Atlas remains on top at New World. 34 CMJ Retail 19 Hip-Hop Chart Hart’s a Radiohead; the DMRC hits the Target; Akrobatik reigns at No. 1. Beyonce bootyliciously tops the Retail 100; Tindersticks, Rufio, Jane’s Addiction and 24 20 RAM Chart Clientele get Points; Jamie peeps the Counter Culture at New World Record; Black Eyed Peas 21 Caught In The Act play Judge Judy in Newsworthy. Yo La Tengo, Brand New, Rufio, Rob Halford and Pete Yorn, all on the same page; plus, 43 Upcoming bandages, bandages, bandages! 44 Get A Job 22 Station Profile East Orland, Maine’s WERU is “The Voice of 45 Airplay Many Voices.” 23 Artist Spotlight 58 Radio Adds & Going For Adds Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys unleashes the Super Furry Animals are No. 1 most added Phantom Power on CMJ, and, concept album with 152 adds. Cover photo by Drew Goren CMJ New Music Report (ISSN 0890 0795) is published weekly, except for one week in January, by The CMJ Network, Inc. with offices at 151 W. 25th St., 12th Fl.; New York, NY 10001. Subscription rates are $345.00 for 48 issues; $575.00 for 96 issues. Sorry, no refunds. Subscription offices: 151 W. 25th St., 12th Fl.; New York, NY 10001. Tel 917.606.1908. Outside U.S. and Canada 917.606.1908. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY and additional mailing offices. CMJ New Music Report is copyright ©2003 by The CMJ Network, Inc. all rights reserved; nothing may be reproduced with- out written consent of publisher. Unless indicated otherwise, all letters sent to CMJ are eligible for publication and copyright purposes, and are subject to CMJ’s right to edit and comment editorially. Unsolicited manuscripts, photos 30 and artwork are welcome; please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope to facilitate return. Postmaster: send address changes to CMJ New Music Report, 151 W. 25th St., 12th Fl.; New York, NY 10001 3 CMJ JULY 14, 2003 THE WEEK IN INDUSTRY NEWS Compiled and written by Louis Miller • [email protected] RIAA MAKES IT Morpheus users to lobby Entertainment that will see NewMusic PERSONAL Congress to make P2P file- America’s pastime sponsoring ® CMJ CMJCMJReport 25 Citing sizable sales declines, sharing legal. The EFF’s Fred both the Ozzfest and the RIAA announced on June von Lohmann stated, “This lat- Lollapalooza tours, as well as Vice President & General Manager 26 that it would begin to target est effort really indicates the 34 other CC concerts. Baseball Mike Boyle individuals who illegally offer recording industry has lost officials believe that the young CEDITORIALMJ “substantial” collections of touch with reality completely. music fans expected to attend Editor-In-Chief music files on the Internet with Today they have declared war the events make up the perfect Kevin Boyce separate lawsuits. The specific on the American consumer.” demographic for baseball Associate Editors number of songs that would apparel and potential baseball Doug Levy CBradM MaybeJ warrant a lawsuit was not dis- OEBASE BRINGS fans. Steve Armus,MLB’s Vice Louis Miller closed, but RIAA president MUSIC FANS President of Licensing, stated, Loud Rock Editor Cary Sherman stated that the TOGETHER “In order to embrace and Amy Sciarretto Jazz Editor association would go after the Dave Allen, founder of seminal attract the people we’re trying Tad Hendrickson “worst offenders” first, expect- post-punk band Gang Of Four, to go after, we have to go to RPM Editor ing to file at least several hun- has teamed up with Overland their turf and engage them on Justin Kleinfeld dred lawsuits in the next eight- Entertainment to create a new their terms.” Retail Editor Gerry Hart to-10 weeks against suspected online music store for both Assistant Retail Editors offenders — including minors. independent and mainstream CMJ MARATHON Christopher R. Weingarten The U.S. Court of Appeals artists at www.oebase.com.The SWEEPSTAKES Jamie Farkas recently ruled that Internet Web site serves as a hub for Boone International and CMJ Contributing Writers Brad Filicky Service Providers must submit fans to communicate with each want to send you and a friend to Antonia Santangelo to the music trade organization other and with the operators of the CMJ Music Marathon in Web Producer/Contributing Ed. the names of individuals who Oebase; visitors can discuss New York City, this October Steve Ciabattoni Interns are suspected of sharing copy- what music they want to hear, 22–25. One Grand Prize winner Jayanthi K. Daniel righted music through file- and the site provides them will receive round-trip airfare Kory Grow sharing networks, and current with the chance to download for two, a four-night stay in a Dan Wholey copyright laws allow the RIAA free MP3s or buy music from Manhattan hotel, two VIP Nina Wilson to seek damages from $750 to the artists discussed. Overland badges to the CMJ Marathon, CUSTOMER SERVICE $150,000 per illegal music file. Entertainment’s CubeCast and two one-year subscriptions to Manager “The law is clear and the mes- Microsite technologies let fans CMJ New Music Monthly, $1,000 Sean Caesar sage to those who are distrib- keep up with their favorite spending money and more! To Coordinator uting substantial quantities of artists, listen to music, and for- register, simply buy a Boone Brett McNamara music online should be equally ward artist information to oth- dry-erase board from a Target ART clear,” stated Sherman. “This ers in the community. store and send in the free trial Art Director activity is illegal, you are not “Overland Entertainment Inc., CMJ NMM subscription card, Drew Goren Associate Art Director anonymous when you do it, and OEbase.com, was formed or go to www.cmj.com/boone to Graham Brice and engaging in it can have as a way for independent register online. Contest ends real consequences. We cannot artists, labels and unsigned Sept. 20, 2003. PUBLISHING stand by while piracy takes a artists to effectively sell and CEO & Publisher devastating toll on artists, promote their music in a much INDUSTRY SHUFFLE Robert K. Haber Chief Operating Officer musicians, songwriters, retail- more personal way than the Ipecac Records has moved — the Jay B. Ziskrout ers and everyone in the music majority of online music label can now be reached at: 356 Chief Financial Officer industry.” Along with the stores,” stated Allen. “We Bowery, #2, New York, NY 10012, Victor Ney announcement, the RIAA strongly believe that the most or by phone at 212.228.4868. Account Executives • Jon Rayvid included quotes from dozens effective way to reach music Erik Olesen and Mike Easterlin Peter Weinstock of artists, including Missy fans is by listening to what have both been named Vice Director Of Marketing Elliott, Eve, Peter Gabriel and they want, not vice versa.” President of Promotion, Island Stacy Chaloeicheep Sheryl Crow, supporting the Def Jam Music Group.