British publications know how to woo us cheap music fans, don't they? Take for example a recent issue of the genre-coining rag New Musical Express, who recently gave away a 13-track compilation with their Muse-cover issue. Of course the disc didn't always live up to the 'new' musical part (see: the Lips' "Yeah Yeah Yeah Song," CSS's "Alala," and a track from the defunct Death From Above 1979), but it was Muse-curated, so they're not to blame. Plus, the comp contained some freshly recorded Muse in "Man Of Mystery," a cover of '60s instrumental group the Shadows. In and out under two minutes, no Bellamy wailing, but good for completists -- and since NME says it's fast becoming a live fave, good for your Muse @ MSG prep. Have a listen at Scatter o'Light.
Between this and the Mail On Sunday giving away Prince's Planet Earth LP, we may never visit a record store again! You know, if we lived in England. And liked Muse b-sides and new Prince.
