New Releases, Feb. 13: Malkmus, Frusciante, Tantric, 'Down to Earth,' more

New releases from ex-Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus, Red Hot Chili Peppers' guitarist Jon Frusciante, and a band consisting of former members of Days of the New will reach stores this week, along with the soundtrack to Chris Rock's latest film and a "Best Of" compilation from Judas Priest.

* * *

Former Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus delivers his self-titled solo debut on Matador Records this week, his first offering since Pavement's 1999 swan song, "Terror Twilight."

"Discretion Grove," the first single from Malkmus' new album, was released on Jan. 16. The single also contains two tracks--"Sin Taxi" and "Leisurely Poison"--that aren't included on the forthcoming album, according to Matador. The release debuted at No. 40 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Sales chart.

Malkmus is set to launch a North American tour in support of his new album on March 8.

* * *

Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante releases "To Record Only Water for Ten Days" (Warner Bros.) this week, his first solo effort since 1997's "Smile from the Streets You Hold."

Frusciante joined the Peppers in the late-'80s, and appeared on 1989's "Mother's Milk" and 1991's "Blood Sugar Sex Magik." The latter album has shipped over 6 million copies to date, according to the Recording Association of America.

After quitting the group in 1992 and sinking into a heroin addiction, Frusciante released his first solo album in 1994 titled "Niandra LaDes & Usually Just a T-shirt." "Smile from the Streets You Hold" followed before the guitarist got clean and rejoined the Peppers for the group's highly successful 1999 release, "Californication."

Frusciante recently completed a handful of solo tour dates in Europe. No U.S. dates have been announced.

* * *

Former Days of the New members Todd Whitener (guitar), Jesse Vest (bass) and Matt Taul (drums)--who were fired by frontman Travis Meeks following the group's 1998 platinum debut--have regrouped with new singer Hugo Ferreira to form Tantric. The group releases its self-titled debut on Madonna's Maverick label this week.

"Breakdown," the first single from the album, is at No. 4 on the latest Radio & Records rock chart, which measures national radio airplay.

* * *

Epic Records serves up the soundtrack to Paramount's new Chris Rock film, "Down to Earth," this week. The album features tracks from Snoop Dogg, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Lauryn Hill, Ginuwine and others.

* * *

Other new releases: