Sunny Day Real Estate to Record New Album in May?

Ear Candy brings us the good news that Sunny Day Real Estate is getting ready to record a new album in May. EC reports that KEXP DJ Marco Collins tweeted the news Monday night, saying that he received an e-mail from SDRE member Nate Mendel confirming the plans. Sunny Day reunited last year for a short fall tour of the states, which was followed by February performances in Australia. We'll let you know when more details become available.

Flaming Lips to Release Vinyl Dark Side of the Moon on Record Store Day

From the Flaming Lips website:  "Our beloved Flaming Lips are pleased to announce that the physical release of “THE FLAMING LIPS, ALONG WITH STARDEATH AND WHITE DWARFS WITH HENRY ROLLINS AND PEACHES DOING ‘THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON’ will be available for sale on Limited Edition vinyl beginning April 17th 2010, National Record Store Day. The CD version will go on sale on May 4."

The Lips' Dark Side was released digitally on iTunes in December 2009. Rollins was featured on seven songs and Peaches tackled Clare Torry's vocal gymnastics at the end of "The Great Gig In the Sky," which I really wish Hank would have done instead. 

R.I.P. Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse

Sad news, which most of you already know by now. Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse committed suicide over the past weekend. Linkous's story seems similar to Vic Chesnutt's, who took his own life last year. Both were respected, gifted songwriters who made prior suicide attempts during long battles with depression. Both were confined to wheelchairs (Linkous for six months after an overdose, Chesnutt for decades after a car accident). While I'm not qualified to comment on the man's music, as I am unfamiliar with it, the various accounts and tributes I have read make it clear that Linkous, like Chesnutt, was a uniquely talented songwriter, much beloved by his peers and his fans. Patti Smith wrote on her website: "Mark Linkous gave us so many dark and beautiful songs. They were dark like coal compressed into diamonds and they sparkled in the deep night like spattering morning stars."

Great Waves Win Sound Off!

Congratulations to Sammamish band Great Waves who won the Sound Off! competition on Saturday at EMP. The band describes their sound as "a unique blend of alternative rock and folk, that has been likened to everything from Allison Krauss to The Pixies," while others hear shades of the Decemberists and Arcade Fire in their music. Great Waves went up against Candysound and Hooves and Beak in the finals of EMP's annual underage battle of the bands competition. This year's winners get a performance slot at Bumbershoot, a live on-air performance on 107.7 The End, two days of recording studio time, gear, advice, and more.

D'Angelo Busted for Soliciting Sex

R&B singer D'Angelo was popped in New York's West Village on March 6 after allegedly offering an undercover policewoman $40 for oral sex. D'Angelo, who reportedly had $12,000 squirreled away in the SUV he was driving at time, was arrested and charged with solicitation. In a statement, he said he pleaded not guilty, intends to fight the charge and asks that people "let the justice system resolve the matter before jumping to any conclusions." Of course, we will honor his wishes, but c'mon, dude, 40 bucks? Oops...

Animal Collective Movie Screening in Seattle

In the wake of the Oscars, we have plenty of movie news in this edition of the Word. On March 30, Animal Collective and director Danny Perez will present two screenings of their movie Oddsac at the Egyptian Theatre. Described as a "visual album," Oddsac will feature new AC music and visuals, and members of the band and Perez will be on hand at the screening. Buy tickets here.

Neil Young Trunk Show Out This Month

Jonathan Demme's concert film of Neil Young's 2007 Chrome Dreams II tour will finally see the light of day this month. Filmed during two shows in Pennsylvania, the Neil Young Trunk Show will be screened in eleven US cities, including Seattle, where it is scheduled to roll at the Varsity Theatre on March 19. According to the press release, "There are delicately offered acoustic numbers like 'Sad Movies' and 'Mexico'; mesmerizing electric travelogues into the artist's psyche ('No Hidden Path'); searing, chaotic anthems including 'Like a Hurricane' and 'Cinnamon Girl'; and rarely performed pieces like 'Kansas' and 'Ambulance Blues' that provide glimpses of Young's less public persona."

Flaming Lips Planning New Film

Flaming Lips leader Wayne Coyne is beginning work on a new Flaming Lips movie, but on a somewhat smaller scale than 2008's Christmas on Mars, which took a mere seven years to make. Coyne tells Billboard, "My only goal was that I didn't have to build space station-looking sets every time I wanted to have someone say something, only because I built those sets myself every time we shot something for Christmas on Mars over the seven years we took to make it. This one is set in someone's house and in a back yard and in a slaughterhouse; all those are available to me right here, so I don't have to build everything this time." Coyne also revealed that he plans to get celebrities ("real actors") involved, and that he's currently in the process of begging Justin Timberlake to be a part of the flick. Man, just the thought of seeing JT bustin' moves in a slaughterhouse is totally making my day!

The Complete Spin, Now On Google Books

OK, so it ain't Creem or Crawdaddy or even Rolling Stone, but now anyone with an Internet connection can read every issue of Spin magazine for free on Google Books....and that's kinda cool! Check it out here.