thi was posted on HTTP://www.pitchforkmedia.com today. i figured, since it's on topic and all... PJK please don't hate me because i can't type..... --- All the cool kids are doing it: HTTP://www.EvilSponge.org *********************************************** The Orb Plan U.S. Release for New LP, Side Projects ( May hold impromptu interviews with high schoolers to determine current drugs of choice) Ed Howard reports: Influential ambient techno duo The Orb is back with a collaboration-packed new album that's already out on V2 Records in Japan (with an exclusive bonus track, to follow one of the most frustrating trends ever for non-Japanese CD buyers). The record, entitled Bicycles & Tricycles, will soon be hitting the rest of the world-- possibly as soon as the end of this month. Bicycles & Tricycles features contributions from former Orb and KLF member Jimmy Cauty, Jack Dangers of Meat Beat Manifesto, Prayer Box's Simon Phillips, and numerous others from the techno and hip-hop realms. Orb frontman Alex Paterson, in a recent interview with the online zine Lunar, suggested that the band would be touring the U.S. in support of the new album, though no dates have been announced yet. While you're waiting for the tour and album release, you can listen to the CD's first track, the 12" mix of "From a Distance" (Bette?!) on the V2 Japan website. Tracklist: 01 From a Distance 12" Z Mix 02 The Land of Green Ginger Rmx 03 Hell's Kitchen 04 Gee Strings 05 Prime Evil 06 Orb Is 07 Now Here * 08 Abstractions 09 L.U.C.A. 10 Compania 11 Tower Twenty Three 12 Dilmun * Japan-only bonus track In other news, the good Dr. Alex Paterson will also be releasing the new album from his Custerd side project, a collaboration with his former mate Cauty and Killing Joke/Pink Floyd bassist Guy Pratt. The album will come out sometime later this year once the trio finds a suitable label for the project. Among the four tracks named for the project so far will be "Boom Bang Bombay (Rock the Boat)", a track from a verrrrrrrrry rare promo LP from last year. Tracklist: 01 I Wanna Marry A Lighthouse Keeper 02 Listen William 03 Planet Of Shadows 04 Boom Bang Bombay (Rock the Boat) Paterson is also prepping the album Madorb, a remix project between The Orb and reggae producer Mad Professor. Paterson will be remixing five tracks from the Professor's catalogue, and the Professor will be doing likewise for The Orb's long history. The resulting 10-track album will be appearing later this year on Ariwa Records, which is run by Mad Professor. Lastly, The Orb will also be releasing a DVD sometime this year. Appropriately titled Live in Belgium, the DVD is a recording of their appearance at the Lokerse Festival in August of 2002. .: Pitchfork Review: The Orb: Cydonia .: Pitchfork Review: The Orb: Auntie Aubrey's Excursions Beyond... .: The Orb: http://www.theorb.com .: V2 Japan download page: http://www.v2records.co.jp/special...