He’s worked with Brian Wilson and, Joanna Newsom, and his solo albums Song Cycle and Discover America are necessary classics.  Now Van Dyke Parks is putting out his first music in over fifteen years with a 7″ series that will include artwork by folks like Ed Ruscha and Art Spiegelman.

• The folks at Northern Spy Records are filling up their stable with some fantastic people.  The news this week is the singing of the very prolific garage genius Dan Melchior to a two record deal.

• Over at The Rumpus, Kevin Sampsell gives his thoughts on the reunion of The Cars.