Pop Culture Safari!

Music new releases June 24, 2011

McCartney

McCartney II

Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark

Green Lantern: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Motowns Mowest Story (1971-73)

Say You! The Motown Anthology 1963-1968 The Monitors

Here I Go Again/Hear! Here! The Hollies

The Complete History, Vol. 1 (Glad All Over / Return! / American Tour) Dave Clark Five

Coast To Coast / Weekend In London / Having A Wild Weekend Dave Clark Five

The Dave Clark Five Complete History Vol.3: I Like It Like That/Try Too Hard/Satisfied With You

DVD new releases June 13, 2011

Battle: Los Angeles (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Battle: Los AngelesBattle: Los Angeles

Red Riding Hood

The Best of The Dean Martin Variety Show: Collector's Edition (6DVD)

Doctor Who: Frontios - Episode 133

Marvel Knights: Spider-Woman Agent Of S.W.O.R.D

Happiness Is Peanuts: Snoopy's Adventures

Neal Adams Green Lantern comics covers

The upcoming Green Lantern flick focuses on the more cosmic of the hero's adventures. But, in the comics, some of the best stories were well-grounded here on earth. During the early 1970s, writer Denny O'Neill and artist Neal Adams did an acclaimed run on the title, which paired Green Lantern with Green Arrow in a series of across-America adventures that touches on hot issues of the day: politics, the generation gap, the media, drug abuse and racism.

Here are some of Adams' covers from that time:

Paul McCartney recording project on vintage gear

Macca tells Wired magazine about his latest experimental recording projects, which hearkens back to the days of four-track and "Tomorrow Never Knows"-style tape loops. As demonstrated by his most recent Fireman album, the best work Paul has done in years, McCartney in relaxed, experimental mode can yield good stuff. I'm also looking forward to the expanded remasters of McCartney I and II next week.

“I’ve dusted off the same two old machines that I used for ‘Tomorrow Never Knows,’” McCartney said during a wide-ranging phone interview to be published soon by Wired.com. “We’re having trouble finding spare parts. But my man Eddie Klein, who works in my studio and is an old Abbey Road guy, is a real boffin and has got the machines working again.”

“The new project is going to take a couple years,” said McCartney. “It’s very long-range. I’ve no idea when it is actually going to happen, but I’m really into it.”

New Google doodle pays tribute to Les Paul: Record your own song!

This is pretty cool: In honor of what would be the guitarist/innovator's 96th birthday, Google has posted an interactive guitar graphic on its main page. You can strum the strings and even record your playing. Then play back the recording and play over it in the overdubbing fashion Paul pioneered.

Video: New song from Ray Davies

Via The Guardian: Backed by the Leisure Society, the former Kinks' front man performs a new song, "Sane."

Matt Smith returns for Doctor Who season 7

The floppy-haired one will be back for 14 new episodes, the BBC reports. But there's no word yet on when that season may air.

DC/Marvel Crossover Omnibus on the way

This recently cropped up on Amazon: A 512-page hardcover collecting all the DC-Marvel Comics crossovers, including Superman Vs. Spider-Man, Batman vs. the Hulk, X-men and Teen Titans, etc.

The release date is listed as Feb. 7, 2012, with a discounted price of $31.49, from $49.99.

Marvel Comics plans John Carter of Mars adaptation

From the press release:

Transported to the dying planet of Mars, Captain John Carter must now fight for his life against creatures unlike any ever seen by mankind. But as he finds himself enveloped by an alien civil war, he meets the proud and beautiful Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, who will change his life forever!

“With our new partnership with Marvel Entertainment, we believe we have found the best creative force to revive the thrills and adventures in the 21st Century of the legendary John Carter of Mars. We are looking forward to introducing this original interplanetary adventurer to a new generation of fans and await the first issue with great anticipation,” said James Sullos, President of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.

Re-envisioned by acclaimed scribe Roger Langridge (Thor: The Mighty Avenger) and fan-favorite artist Filipe Andrade (Onslaught Unleashed), with covers by Eisner-winner Skottie Young (Wonderful Wizard of Oz), John Carter: A Princess of Mars #1 (of 5) brings you the story you love like you’ve never seen it before.

“Edgar Rice Burroughs created one of the great action heroes in John Carter and we’re excited to bring his novels to comics for a new generation,” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Editor-In-Chief. “Roger and Filipe are going to blow everyone away with their take on the John Carter novels, keeping fans new and old on the edge of their seats.”