First, the label honored Madonna. Next on the agenda was last year's Perfect as Cats, a tribute to the Cure. Now Manimal Vinyl, the magnificently out-there LA label that's home to, among others, Hecuba, Rainbow Arabia, Caroline Weeks, and Xu Xu Fang, will continue its series by covering David Bowie songs.

That on the surface isn't big news. By this point tribute albums are a dime a dozen, and countless labels and artists have honored Bowie (and the Cure, and Madonna). But Manimal tribute albums are different, because it seems like the only instruction Manimal kingpin Paul Beahan gives potential coverers is to avoid copying the original.

Manimal's Perfect as Cats: A Tribute to the Cure, which came out last year, was one of our favorite records of last year. And word is that the Cure's management got hold of the double-disc set and later heard back that Smith considered the set to be one of his favorite Cure tributes.

Anyway, next on the horizon is said Bowie tribute, out in the fall. The label's still confirming the slots on the two CD set, and will be announcing track listing soon. We'll keep you posted.

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