It looks like the "
Dark Night of the Soul" project is DOA, er, dead
before arrival. The cryptic project involving
David Lynch,
Sparklehorse and
Danger Mouse is recorded and ready for release, including a printed booklet filled with Lynch's photography.
But it is unlikely to see an official release.
However, the full album is streaming now -- free -- on the National Public Radio web site (link at bottom).
The anticipated collaboration album from Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse has been canned due to a dispute with EMI, Danger Mouse's record label. Collaborators include The Flaming Lips, Super Furry Animals, Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, Frank Black of the Pixies, Iggy Pop, James Mercer of The Shins, Suzanne Vega and more.
Reports NME music magazine online: The album was set to be released with a book featuring photographs by (director and artist David) Lynch. The book will still be released next month, but will come with a blank CD bearing a sticker with the message: "For Legal Reasons, enclosed CD-R contains no music. Use it as you will."
Read the full NME online story 
here.
Said record label EMI in a press statement: "Danger Mouse is a brilliant, talented artist for whom we have enormous respect. We continue to make every effort to resolve this situation and we are talking to Brian Burton (Danger Mouse) directly. Meanwhile, we need to reserve our rights."
Wrote National Public Radio reporter Robin Hilton: I've listened to the record all the way through at least a dozen times, and can confirm that Dark Night of the Soul delivers in every way you'd hope for. It's beautiful but haunting, surreal and dark, but sometimes comical and affecting, with ear-popping, multilayered production work. It just gets more mesmerizing with every listen.
I agree. It is stunningly beautiful.
Read the full National Public Radio story and listen to the album here.
Someone please find a way to record the NPR record stream to CD for me. Pretty please?!!?
