BY JOHN M. JAMES

While record labels come and go, some are destined to define their own sound and culture, offering to the listener a musical manifesto that brands its artists to the label's imprint and further develops its own unique scene with each release. With that in mind, let us bow down to two tasty new box sets celebrating double decade anniversaries of independent record labels that have beaten the odds. Just released from Dischord Records is a true labor of love, a three-CD collection of 71-tracks magnificently designed and executed. The set, 20 years of Dischord: 1980-2000, captures the spirit of the Washington, D.C., indie that led the charge of do-it-yourself Punk Rock integrity, exposing the world to the politics and passions of Minor Threat, Fugazi and Youth Brigade, and, in its later years, the new sounds of Shudder To Think and The Make-Up. The box set retrospective does it right, featuring two discs of "hits" and a third disc of unreleased tracks from Dag Nasty, Government Issue, Circus Lupus and more. The collection also features a fantastic CD-sized 134-page booklet, featuring band-by-band histories, photos and essays. ... Headbangers unite! Throw your horns in the air like you just don't care, and call in sick for the week. Coming on Tuesday is the Heavy Metal motherload from Metal Blade Records and their 20th-anniversary box set, a massive nine-CD box containing 140 audio tracks, 24 DVD videos, and a 70-page booklet. ... The String Cheese Incident is joining the list of bands supplying their concert recordings directly to their fans, debuting their On The Road series from this past spring's tour. Using a blend of audience recordings and soundboard feeds, each show is documented in a three-CD package with seven dates released this week, and a promise of 13 more later this month and November. Packaged in a six-panel cardboard sleeve, the Sci-Fidelity Records projects each feature photos, road maps and artwork specific to each show. ... Guided By Voices fans receive the DVD experience this week as the Rockathon Records label of Dayton, Ohio, issues Some Drinking Implied, a 65-minute collection of amazing rarities. Highlights include Robert Pollard's high school home movie, Wild People, featuring "Lucifer's Aching Revolver," backstage footage and live performances from 1992 and rare videos for "Weed King," Particular Demand" and "Chief Barrel Belly."

Television Alert
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Rod Stewart on Thursday, Erykah Badu on Monday and BBMak on Tuesday. The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Santana on Thursday and Puff Daddy on Friday. Late Night with Conan O'Brien features David Bowie on Friday and The Hives on Tuesday. The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn waves the checkered flag for Box Car Racer on Thursday, Dispatch on Friday and the return of Morrissey on Monday. Last Call with Carson Daly sits down with Gene Simmons of KISS on Friday, N.E.R.D. on Monday and Remy Zero on Tuesday. And Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is The White Stripes.

Releases Coming Tuesday
and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change...

Steve Almaas and Ali Smith ­ Steve Almaas and Ali Smith (Parasol) new from the former Beat Rodeo and Speedball Baby veterans; Badly Drawn Boy ­ Have You Fed the Fish (iMUSIC/Artist Direct); Jessica Bailiff ­ Jessica Bailiff (Kranky) new home-grown recordings from this artist who has previously recorded two albums with Low; Christmas Decorations ­ Model 91 (Kranky) ambient minimalist music; Leonard Cohen ­ The Essential Leonard Cohen (Columbia Legacy) two-CD set; The Donnas ­ Spend the Night (Lookout) vinyl version of their recent Atlantic Records CD with the bonus LP-only track "Big Rig"; The Doors ­ The Soundstage Performances (Eagle Vision) DVD release compiling rare television appearances and a 1969 PBS interview; The Flaming Sideburns ­ Save Rock 'n' Roll (Jetset) stateside debut for this full-throttle good time Rock & Roll from Sweden, wound up, leaning back and cutting loose; Foo Fighters ­ One By One (RCA) with guest guitarist Brian May of Queen; Jackyl ­ Relentless (Humidity) all new featuring the track "Open Invitation (I Hate You Bin Laden)"; Juliana Theory ­ Love (Epic) produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads; Lisa Loeb ­ Hello Lisa (Artemis); Ziggy Marley ­ Dragonfly (Private Music) with guests John Frusciante and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers; Youssou N'Dour ­ Joko (Nonesuch) new from the Senegalese star; New Wet Kojak ­ The Glamorous (Beggars Banquet) featuring Scott McCloud and Johnny Temple of Girls Against Boys; The Oranges Band ­ On TV (Lookout) featuring Roman Kuebler of The Thumbs, and on tour now with Spoon; Pavement ­ Slanted & Enchanted Deluxe (Matador) two-CD reissue chock full of bonus material; Playdough ­ Lonely Superstar (Uprok) spiritually positive Hip Hop from one half of the Ill Harmonics; Q and Not U ­ Different Damage (Dischord) produced and engineered by Ian MacKaye; Marky Ramone ­ Legends Bleed (Thirsty Ear) 16 new tracks and four newly recorded Ramones' classics; Chris Robinson ­ New Earth Mud (Redline) solo debut from the Black Crowes vocalist, featuring the track "Better Than the Sun," co-written with Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots, and containing a limited-edition bonus DVD in the first pressing; Rocket From the Crypt ­ Live From Camp X-Ray (Vagrant); Santana ­ The Essential Santana (Columbia Legacy) two-CD set that covers studio material recorded from 1969 through 1989 and featuring rare tracks from the out-of-print California Jam and Filmore: The Last Days various artist compilations; St. Etienne ­ Finisterre (Mantra/Beggars Banquet); The Streets ­ Original Pirate Material (Vice/Atlantic) captivating new album from British rapper Mike Skinner and his lyrically def version of "Two-Step Garage," available on CD or two-LP vinyl; Third Eye Blind ­ Crystal Baller (Elektra) with guest Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit; Thursday ­ Five Stories Falling (Victory) CD EP; Various Artists ­ For the Kids (Nettwerk) fantastic collaboration with VH1's Save the Music Foundation featuring children's songs from Barenaked Ladies, Billy Brag with Wilco, Ivy, Cake, Tom Waits and Sixpence None the Richer; Various Artists ­ Requiem For A Dream: The Remix Project (Thrive) electronic tribute to the film, with covers of Clint Masell's score by Paul Oakenfold, Josh Wink, Kronos Quartet and A Guy Called Gerald; Waco Brothers ­ New Deal (Bloodshot) their sixth album.

E-mail John M. James

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