This Is My Kind of Cookbook

I'm not a great cook. In fact, I get nervous at nearly every attempt. Over the years I've collected a number of cookbooks, usually given to me as gifts and titled something clever, like "How to Boil Water" or "The Girl Can't Cook: 275 Fabulous No-Fail Recipes a Girl Can't Be Without." One of my favorite cookbooks is by actress-comedian Amy Sedaris titled "I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence"; however, it's more funny than useful.

The latest addition to my collection of "wish I could" cookbooks is by singer-songwriter Carolyn Mark titled "The Terrible Hostess: Recipes for Disaster Vol II." This will coincide with the release of her new album "Let's Just Stay Here," due out this October on Mint Records (home to the New Pornographers, Lou Barlow, The Handsome Family, Neko Case and more).

Her music is a combination of country twang and vintage sheek. Here's her latest single:
The Business End

The Big Pink. They're such a tease.

UK band The Big Pink continues to tantalize us by releasing another single called "Dominos," which is off their debut album "A Brief History Of Love," due out September 15th. The duo self-produced the record in New York, collaborating with mix master Rich Costey (Muse and Interpol).

Dominos
Velvet (gang gang dance remix)

I'm still crushing on their video for "Velvet":

Congratulations Bret and Jermaine!

Double fist bump for Flight of the Conchords as they have been nominated for 6 Emmys! I might shed a tear if they don't at least win for "Outstanding Comedy Series."

Here’s the whole list of what they’ve been nominated for:
Outstanding Comedy Series
Outstanding Director
Outstanding Lead Actor
Outstanding original music for “Carol Brown” (Sub Pop)
Outstanding Sound Mixing
Outstanding Writing

And now for one of my favs:

Speaking of New Order...

Tribute albums can be cute in that "awe, how sweet" sort of way. They can also be unflattering if the artists fails to do a nice job or the compilation of songs doesn't exactly flow together. In this case, let's hope it's the former.

Florida independent record label, or what they call a digital distribution portal, called 24 Hour Service Station assembled a tribute album honoring the music of New Order entitled "CEREMONY - A New Order Tribute." The double CD plus bonus disc and digital album are scheduled for release in the fall of 2009.

Monies raised from record sales will benefit the Salford Foundation Trust’s Tony Wilson Award, which aids children and young people who demonstrate a special talent or ambition in the arts. Tony Wilson was a journalist and a co-founders of Factory Records, the Manchester based British indie label that featured several prominent musical acts, including Joy Division and New Order.

Artists have donated a version of their favorite New Order track. Partakers include Rabbit In The Moon, Win Win Winter, Kate Havnevik, SUNBEARS!, Jah Division, Geri X, The Cloud Room, DETACHMENTS, The Beauvilles, Kingsbury, The Penelopes, GD Luxxe, Pocket, XOXO, Kites with Lights, Dub Gabriel and more.