Sound Check: Joey Ramone, Pavement
April 19 -- ROCKING UNTIL THE END: Influential punk rocker Joey Ramone, who died Sunday at age 49, was working on a solo album for the last three years of his life. Longtime Ramones producer Daniel Rey told MTV that the nearly-20-song set would most likely be issued later this year.
ANOTHER PIECE OF THE PAVEMENT: Singer Stephen Malkmus isn't the only former Pavement member pursuing a solo career. Guitarist Scott Kannberg has recorded an album, All This Sounds Gas, with his new band, Preston School of Industry, according to Matador Records. The LP will be released in late summer.
SOUNDTRACK RAIDERS: With the game selling more than 24 million copies worldwide, the Tomb Raider folks haven't had trouble in luring artists to record for the soundtrack to the highly anticipated film. Contributors include Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, the Chemical Brothers, Basement Jaxx, Fatboy Slim, and Missy Elliott. Produced by John Kirkpatrick, the high-intensity soundtrack is due June 5 from Elektra Records.
ECHOES OF THE BUNNYMEN: Rhino Records will issue a four-disc, 72-song box set for British pop rock act Echo & The Bunnymen titled Crystal Days, 1979-1999. The archival specialists are promising — in addition to the hits — previously unreleased tracks, B-sides, and live versions.
CREEP SHOWS: Pop experimentalist Mike Patton (formerly of Faith No More) teamed with Mr. Bungle bandmate Trevor Dunn and Melvins guitarist Buzz Osborne to record The Director's Cut, 15 reinterpretations of classic cinema songs. The collection — which includes unique takes on themes from The Godfather, Rosemary's Baby, and The Omen — will be issued July 24 from Patton's Ipecac Recordings.
RESTLESS GIANTS: Quirky pop act They Might Be Giants will release its eighth studio LP — and its first for Restless Records — on Aug. 15. The still-untitled album was produced by Adam Schlesinger, and several of the tracks are available through the band's Emusic service.
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