So as an armchair music nerd, I don't usually get access to new music like the real critics. But I recently connected with Pine Hill Records, a small punk/indie boutique label, who clued me in on a really fun new record they were releasing. Feelies frontman Glenn Mercer and Richard Barone of the Bongos--veritable NYC/NJ music scene legends--have been gigging lately as Hazy Cosmic Jive, a glam tribute act, covering songs by David Bowie, T.Rex, Lou Reed, Brian Eno, Roxy Music, and the Stooges; and now they've released an album (half studio, half live). 

Mercer & Barone are no strangers to the music--the Feelies (and Mercer solo) have covered Eno and the Stooges; the Bongos covered T. Rex--so it's a pretty comfortable fit. The record sounds like an alternate-universe version of the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack, but with a rawer indie vibe (particularly on the live side). Their take on Eno's "Needles In The Camel's Eye" (the original showed up on that soundtrack, BTW) is particularly tasty, but it's all tremendous fun for those of us who are fans of both Mercer/Barone and the classics they've revamped.

Now the bad news. The record is strictly available at this point as mail-order vinyl. (You can find it on the Pine Hill website.) No downloads or streaming, so us digital folks are outta luck; but I'd guess many of the Feelies/Bongos devotees who'd dig this most are vinyl shoppers. (Alas, no vinyl here for me... long story.) If that means you--definitely track it down!

Here's their "Needles" cover:

Here's the band performing "Starman" last year (the Bowie song from which they've taken their name, though the song itself isn't on the record):