Music News & Notes

Glen Campbell to Release Final Album, Do Last Tour

It's being reported that pop legend Glen Campbell is recording a new album and also planning to tour one last time before he retires. The album, which will be all new material, is being produced by Julian Raymond who told Billboard that all of the basic tracks have been laid down and the orchestral backgrounds will be recorded next week.

Raymond said "It's not your mother's Glen Campbell. He's playing guitar better than ever, singing and writing better than ever. It's really going to be a great final statement from him."

Guests on the album is Jakob Dylan, Chris Isaak, Paul Westerberg (who wrote the title track, Ghost on the Canvas), Bob Pollard, the Dandy Warhols, Steve Hunter, Wendy Melvoin (Prince) and drummer John Freese.

A release date for Ghost on the Canvas will be announced once a label deal is confirmed.

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Crystal Castles Return With Ultra Limited, 12" Vinyl Only Single Next month...

Crystal Castles are set to return next month with an ultra limited edition single. 'Doe Deer' will be released on April 17th via Fiction Records / Lies Records on exclusive 12” vinyl only which will be limited to 500 copies around the globe. Billed as a “typically abrasive and sonically arresting” track, there will be no CD or download release of 'Doe Deer'.

The Canadian electronica duo's second album is expected to follow in June. The group will also play a live show at London's Heaven on April 20 as part of a string of low key worldwide dates. All tickets are completely sold-out.

The 'Doe Deer' track-listing is as follows:

A1 - 'Doe Deer'
A2 - 'Mother Knows Best' (2004 guitar version)
B1 - 'Insectica' (2004 guitar version)
B2 - 'Seed' (2004 guitar version)

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Green Day Go 'Back To Basics' For New Album

Green Day have begun working on their new album, one which singer Billie Joe Armstrong has described as “back to basics." The band recorded demos for the follow-up to 2009's '21st Century breakdown' during their recent world tour.

In an interview with MTV, Armstrong said it was “too early” to know whether the new album would follow their punk past.

"It's just been songwriting right now,” he said. “Instead of doing it later on, we decided to start doing stuff now. “It's all back to the basics again. Just getting in a room together and start jamming.” Cool....

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R.E.M. 30th Anniversary

Athens, Georgia will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of R.E.M.'s first performance as a band this coming weekend. Included will be bus tours visiting important sites in Athens' Music History, a three day retrospective of R.E.M. concert films and rarities and a tribute concert. Although R.E.M. announced the weekend on their website, there in no mention of them making an appearance. I would think that they will, just a hunch....