Raleigh expatriate Ryan Adams has a new album due out soon -- and also his first book, "Infinity Blues." The official publication date isn't until April 1, but you can get a signed copy of "Infinity Blues" in December if you pre-order now. It costs $50 (plus shipping), and pre-orders include an autographed poetry chapbook called "Sad American Mythology." Given the market for Adams collectibles, it's probably a safer investment than anything on Wall Street nowadays.

Meanwhile, the latest piece of Adams-related music to surface is a song by onetime Mammoth recording artiste Juliana Hatfield, "I Picked You Up," in which Adams assumes the name R2-D-Tune. Rough as this is, it's still the best she's sounded in years.

(Thanks to Dean and Rebecca.)

UPDATE: The pre-order is already almost sold-out, says Adams on his blog.

ADDENDA (10/28/08): "How to save the world from doom." Also, the Ryan Review Generator.

SECOND (12/8/08): He's now a staff writer at BlackBook.

THIRD (1/9/09): Black Cab Session.

FOURTH (3/10/09): Already, another book.