The band has been in and out of Dave Fridmann's secluded Tarbox recording studio in western New York since late February of this year. They're reported to have made substantial progress on their forthcoming album, with the most recent sessions taking place on October 7th and November 8th. It's been said that the album will continue in the orchestral vein of The Soft Bulletin, but may be more keyboard- and guitar-based than last time out. NME recently revealed that working song titles include "Are You a Hypnotist?," "It's Summertime," "Syrtis Major" and "Utopia Planitia." The record is due out sometime in 2002, but probably closer to the end of the year.

As for the film, it's titled Xmas on Mars and is being slated for a Christmas 2002 release. Singer Wayne Coyne finished writing the screenplay roughly a year ago and is directing, as well as collecting "space junk" from their fans to use as props. All three of the Flaming Lips' current members-- Coyne, bassist Michael Ivins, and drummer Steven Drozd-- will star, as will their manager and some of their close friends.

Earlier this year, Allstar News reported that the film will be the story of astronauts who, after living on a space station for nine months, decide to celebrate Christmas. But despite the band calling the movie "a futuristic Christmas fairytale," you might wanna leave the kids at home: the film apparently takes a turn for the scary when the astronaut who is given the role of Santa commits suicide and an alien (played by Coyne) dons the beard instead. Photos were recently released on the web showing the band on the set, decked out in costumery that can only be described as "inexpensive." The guys are also working on a soundtrack to accompany Xmas on Mars, though no information has yet been released as to whether it will be issued separately from the film.

In related news, the Lips are taking their time issuing the acclaimed documentary, The Flaming Lips Have Landed on DVD. Directed by Oklahoma University graduate and up-and-coming indie film guy Bradley Beesley (who also has a hand in the making of Xmas on Mars), the finished product was shown on PBS and at independent theaters last year, as well as at the annual Austin, Texas music conference South by Southwest. The forthcoming DVD is expected to include some of the band's music videos as a bonus. However, when Allstar News asked the Lips' spokesperson earlier this year about a possible release date, the publicist's only reply was "down the road." And as for the rumored release of a Zaireeka DVD, which would mix all four of that album's separate CDs into 5:1 Dolby surround sound and include some sweet psychedelic visuals, well, it hasn't been discussed in over a year. Gotta love those Warner brothers.

.: Pitchfork Review: Flaming Lips: The Soft Bulletin
.: Flaming Lips: http://www.flaminglips.com
.: Film Photos: http://www.hellfireltd.com/xmasonmars.htm

Of course, Badly Drawn Boy has not been resting on his laurels since Bewilderbeast's success. He has two new tracks appearing on the new Twisted Nerve label compilation, Everything You Wanted to Know About Twisted Nerve... But Were Afraid to Ask. His contributions are "Shake the Rollercoaster" (taken from his out of print EP, EP1) and a new song entitled "Celebrate." The album was released in the U.S. earlier this month.

.: Pitchfork Review: Badly Drawn Boy: The Hour of Bewilderbeast
.: Badly Drawn Boy: http://www.badlydrawnboy.co.uk

Derek Fahnestock reports:
Macha frontman Josh McKay has a new side project. Recorded under the guise of Seaworthy, McKay's new album, titled The Ride, will see release through Jetset Records on January 22nd. Seaworthy represents a distinct departure from Macha's eastern-tinged, multi-instrumental melting pot, instead revealing McKay's more introspective side and instilling in the listener a "heroin-laced calm," according to the label. The Ride will feature a guest appearance by Japanese musician Haco of After Dinner and the members of Hoahio, and was recorded by several different people. Among them:

Derek Fahnestock reports:
Fear not, stoned rich kids, former math-rock theorist and Don Caballero drummer Damon Che-- think of him as indie rock's Neil Peart, but without the misinterpreted objectivist palaver-- will soon return to grace your tweeters with his hyperkinetic fills. Baltimore's Monitor Records imprint, home to such acts as Oxes, Membranaphonics, and Per Mission (the new project from Rodan and Rachel's member Jason Noble) has announced the signing of Bellini, a new project involving Che, Agostino Tilotta and Giovanna Nicosia of Italian experimental group Uzeda, and Matthew Taylor. The band played several U.S. shows this past summer, and earned the following unintentionally backhanded praise from a Don Cab fansite:

"At times it did sound like Don Cab meets Uzeda, but they had some very effective moments also."

Rumor has an album hitting the streets early next year. Stay tuned.

.: Monitor Records: http://www.monitorrecords.com