Nights of Passed Over, the book of lyrics that spans Mark Kozelek’s entire career, is finally ready for release. Originally released only in Portugal in 2002, Nights also contains set lists and a new foreword by Kozelek. April 1st, the same day that the new Sun Kil Moon album (April) drops, is the scheduled release for the book. On Monday, March 17th, Kozelek’s Caldo Verde imprint will begin taking pre-orders.

A 12-song bonus CD will be packaged with the book that includes rare demos, alternates, and live tracks. These tracks range from 1996 to 2007 and many are seeing their first release on CD. This pressing of Nights is limited to 2,500 copies and I’m confident that they will go fast. Kozelek has been performing at SXSW this week and has a spring tour lined up that includes a June 18th stop at the Ottobar in Baltimore.

Bonus CD
*Michigan (Live at Union Chapel) 2007
*Drop (Live at Union Chapel) 2007
*Heron Blue (Drum Version) 2007
Leo and Luna (Only Version) 2006
*Carry Me Ohio (Jam Version) 2002
*Gentle Moon (Live at Fnac) 2002
**Duk Koo Kim (10’’ Version) 2001
*Wop A Din Din ( Live in Lisbon ) 2001
*Metropol 47 (Demo Version) 1999
*Cruiser (Malmo Version) 1999
Smokey (Demo Version) 1997
*River ( KCRW version) 1996

*previously unreleased
** previously unreleased on CD

TOUR
4/16/08 - Seattle, WA - Town Hall
4/17/08 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater
4/26/08 - San Francisco, CA - Palace of Fine Arts
5/13/08 - Tokyo, JP - Shibuya O-nest
5/14/08 - Tokyo, JP - Kichijoji MANDA-LA2
6/8/08 - Chicago, IL - Old Town School of Folk
6/10/08 - Toronta, CA - Lee’s Place
6/11/08 - Boston, MA - Remis Auditorium/Museum of Fine Arts
6/13/08 - New York, NY - Highline Ballroom
6/15/08 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
6/18/08 - Baltimore, MD - Ottobar

• Artist: Retribution Gospel Choir
• Album: Self Titled
• Label: Caldo Verde
• Release: 2008
• Links: MySpace

In 2005, Low released The Great Destroyer, an album that was touted as their transition into mid-tempo rock. The self titled debut from Retribution Gospel Choir, the latest side project of singer Alan Sparhawk and bassist Matt Livingston, makes Destroyer look limp in comparison. The Choir finds Sparhawk tapping into a level of desperation that is startling even for him. I have frequently grown tired of Low in recent years, but this album has rekindled my interest in Sparhawk’s work to an extent.

Retribution Gospel Choir echoes the hazy rock of artists such as Neil Young & Crazy Horse. There is a sludge-like element (I’m serious) to this album will surprise those that are only loosely familiar with Low. When I saw Low perform on the first promotional tour for Destroyer, Sparhawk appeared to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown as he struggled to find some sort of release. The Choir offers the cathartic release that he has attempted to find with the last two Low albums.

Eric Pollard’s drumming serves as the album’s driving force, as evident on the intensity of “Take Your Time” and “Breaker.” The latter track appeared on Low’s Drums And Guns album. Mimi Parker, Sparhawk’s wife and Low counterpart, sings backup during the song’s bridge. The aggression displayed in the song’s intro reflects how different this version of the song is. I definitely believe this to be the superior version. “Destroyer” is even more cathartic while “Kids” is Sparhawk at his most deadpan.

At ten songs, most of which are close to three minutes long, this is a brief effort that left me wanting more. The repetitive “What She Turned Into” is the only moderate setback i this set. Side projects are often an outlet for songs that are not up to par with an artist’s main work. In the case of Retribution Gospel Choir, many of these songs are better than Low’s recent output. This is one of 2008’s early surprises and it’s just as good as having a new Low album.