Saturday, June 20, 2009

Music News & Notes

Muse New LP Set For Sept Release

Alt.-rockers Muse have confirmed that their new album, "The Resistance," will be released on September 14th. The band is currently finishing the album, which has been self-produced in Italy and mixed by Mark ‘Spike’ Stent. The album hits the streets just in time for their UK tour, which is all sold out.

The Resistance is the trio’s fifth album, the follow-up to the successful "Black Holes And Revelations," released in ’06.

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Manic Street Preachers News

Fans of Manic Street Preachers should expect a bit more ‘joy’ on the band’s next album, a happier, less intense affair than their last release, "Journal For Plague Lovers."

“I think we’re going to try and create an experience that brings a bit more joy,” according to Bang Media International of the band’s next album.

In the meantime Manic Street Preachers have released a new remix EP, featuring remixes of songs from Journal For Plague Lovers.

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Go Buy A Hamburger

The Pretenders lost a date at Minneapolis' Minnesota Zoo after Chrissie Hynde wrote a letter to zoo officials telling them she was going to expose their practice of selling farm area animals to slaughter houses. She commented:

"How can a zoo invite children to touch and play with and express joy over animals for their uniqueness, only to turn around and sell those very animals to slaughter? A good rule of thumb would be 'If you wouldn't do it to a giant panda, then don't do it to a chicken'."

Chicken is good, especially BBQ'd.

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Rumble Strips Tour

The Rumble Strips have announced plans for a full UK tour this autumn.

Performing ten dates across September and October, The Rumble Strips will follow the release of the band's forthcoming Mark Ronson produced album, 'Welcome To The Walk Alone', due out on July 13th.

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Regina Spektor Release

Russian born New Yorker Regina Spektor's release "Far" (due June 22 from Warner Bros) has been tweaked by four super-producers whose alumni includes Dr Dre, REM, Paul McCartney and The Strokes.

She's honed in on the poppier sound of her breakthrough album Begin To Hope, but doesn't compromise the whispery, piano that's become her trademark. First single Laughing With is a stripped back ballad that delves into her religious ponderings, while Eet shows off her rockier, sassier side.

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Dave Mason Honored

Dave Mason is set to receive the Outstanding Career Achievement Honor at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards on November 22.

In an exclusive press release, Executive Producer Brent Harvey stated:

"Dave Mason has a distinguished career in the Music Industry, one so diverse and meaningful to a generation of listeners; we are honored to recognize his accomplishments. Mason is worthy of this honor on many levels, including his philanthropic service over the years. We are delighted we have the opportunity to identify his career achievements, relevance and longevity in the music industry"

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New Order, New Music

Former members of New Order are busy preparing to resurrect the group under the name of Bad Lieutenant. Founding member Peter Hook split up the group last year but bandmates Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Phil Cunningham have joined with former Blur member Alex James for the recording of new material.

Sumner commented on the recordings, saying "I'm very proud of it, it's a very good album. It's pretty guitar-y too because we've got three guitarists in the band."

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Flaming Lips Announce New EP, Bootleg for Ticket Buyers + New Tour Dates

The Flaming Lips have announced a new set of tour dates and a tour-only EP and "bootleg" for people who buy tickets through their web site.

Tickey buyers will get access to a three song digital EP with tracks from their upcoming double album Embryonic (due for release later this year) that include the songs "Convinced of The Hex," "The Impulse," and "Silver Trembling Hands."

They'll also get what the band is calling a "bootleg" recording of the show they were attending, but it's hard to call it a bootleg when it's authorized by the band. But it's a live recording of the show you went to nonetheless!

Ticket buyers will be issued a code that will enable them to receive a code that allows them to access to the download through www.flaminglips.com.

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Modest Mouse Announce Tour

Modest Mouse have announced a set of late Summer shows that will see them travelling around Canada and the U.S. No opening act has been announced yet.

The tour will support the release of their upcoming EP "No One's First and You're Next," set for release later in the Summer.

They'll also be touring without Johnny Marr, presumably because he's busy being a new member of The Cribs and working on their new album (due out in September). There's no problem finding a stand-in when you're Modest Mouse though, and Jim Fairchild (Grandaddy) will retake his old slot with the band in the meantime.

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Robin Trower News

Read through the coding of British guitarist Robin Trower's new live album "RT@RO-08" and you'll see it is, in fact, a document of his March 2008 concert at the Royal Oak Music Theatre.

"It was a place we enjoyed playing the last time we were there, so when the opportunity came to record (the live album), that was a factor," said Trower, 64, who came to prominence as the original guitarist for Procol Harum before going solo in 1973. "There were a lot of songs in the set that had never been recorded live, and it was our usually really good performance.

"RT@RO-08" isn't Trower's only release this year, however. He's also recorded a new studio album, "What Lies Beneath," that features 11 new songs, many co-written with bassist Livingston Brown, who also produced the album. Trower calls it "probably the most 'me' album I've ever made," tapping into an ethereal flavor the mixes with the blues and rock styles he's become known for.

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George Harrison website adds new area in honor of 'Let It Roll'

The official George Harrison website has added a mini-site to promote the release of "Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison."

The site includes a video of the TV commercial/EPK, computer wallpaper downloads based on the cover art, pictures of George Harrison taken from the album booklet, an E-Card and the press release announcing the album's release.

You can also listen to the album as well.

George Harrison




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I love cover art, here are some great new covers:




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