January 31, 2008 – Despite hope of "a happy four-piece ending," and rumors of the band reuniting in the studio this past December, fans of Brit-pop outfit Blur, which fractured in 2002 when guitarist Graham Coxon left the band, won't be hearing new material anytime soon. According to an interview with NME.com, Coxon said the four original members met for dinner the week before recording was rumored to begin and opted to ditch the sessions. "I think people thought, 'Oh, it's a bit too much, just jumping into a studio'," Coxon explained. "We met for a catch-up and it was great, but there was no real talk of recording. It doesn't really bother me. I've got enough going on to feel happy and fulfilled." But please, Mr.

January 30, 2008 – Sure, the follow up Death Cab for Cutie's 2005 LP Plans may be "really weird" and, you know, sound "way more lunar than the urban meadow sort of thing" they've apparently been up to, but its title won't follow in suit: Ben Gibbard and crew's new record, slated to land this year, will be called Narrow Stairs. How very Death Cab of them. [Via Pitchfork] Just as Brit sensations the Kooks are preparing to drop their new record, Konk, and are gearing up for a supporting U.S. tour, bassist Max Rafferty has departed the band, a MySpace post explains. "The band will be continuing with the forthcoming shows," the post continues.

January 29, 2008 – In naming their forthcoming LP, Accelerate, R.E.M. mean business, for the seminal rockers have exploded back upon the rock lexicon with an unparallel velocity. And now, on the heels of a fetishized music video shoot, and a confirmed gig at SXSW, Michael Stipe and crew will spread their new tunes the nation across, and here, again, they're not messing around, tapping Modest Mouse and the National to open the outing, set to kick off in Vancouver, BC May 23. Repeat: yes, Modest Mouse is opening. For full dates, check out NME.com. Sure, we knew My Morning Jacket's once untitled follow up to 2005's Z would arrive June 10 to a celebration of monumental live proportions, but now we have a name: Evil Urges, the band's fifth record to date, which was co-produced by frontman Jim James and Joe Chiccarelli (The Shins, Brian Wilson, White Stripes).

January 29, 2008 – Pushing aside their solo endeavors, including a series of production duties for Danger Mouse, and a new label for Cee-Lo, space-funk duo Gnarls Barkley have emerged with The Odd Couple, their aptly titled follow up to St. Elsewhere, arriving at a yet-to-be specificied date in April via Downtown/Atlantic. According to Billboard.com, the duo are still wrapping the set in Los Angeles, where they're now recording with live musicians. But for the impatient set, an unnamed track has leaked, and according to Pitchfork, a Gnarls MySpace bulletin encourages fans to "Hurry up and DIGG this before it's pulled." Have at it, downloaders, just beware of the evil RIAA! While some golf, buy an RV, or head for Florida, eclectic popster Patrick Wolf likes to spend his retirement, well, not really retired at all, and is now preparing a live DVD and album for 2008.

January 24, 2008 – Veteran art-rockers Xiu Xiu, hailed as one of the brightest starsamidst the Kill Rock Stars roster, retain their title with "F.T.W.," aharrowing mini-drama recited in a creative mix of strumming acoustics,plucking interludes, floating keys, and frontman Jamie Stewart'sbreathy, gloomy narratives. "There is no right / There is no wrong / Inwhy we live / There is only wrong," Stewart bleakly preaches in aballad-like tone over a forceful strum lined by soft strings and atapping drum beat. "To force a hammer and a nail / through its soul... acar has killed you / and your corpse has de-discouraged us," Stewartcontinues, confessing in a dreary whisper under a shower of glimmeringriffs.

January 18, 2008 – With all the red, white, and black colored garb, the White Stripes'venture into the bull-fighting ring appeared imminent. And with thebrand new music video for "Conquest," the Detroit-bred duo's latestsingle -- set to arrive with three fresh B-sides and contributions from Beck -- from new LP Icky Thump, Jack and Meg Whitefulfill their fashion wet dreams, donning traditional Spanish pants,jackets, and naturally, characteristic black hats opposite a hornedopponent. Jack, entering the crowded arena on horseback as the tune'ssouth-of-the-border brass introduction blares, soon dismounts andprepares to duel the beast. Meg, standing idly and indifferent nearby(possibly due to her acute anxiety...of bulls...?) observes as Jack executes his calculated, fancy moves,taming the bull and winning over the swashbuckling crowd.

January 18, 2008 – With her rebound "Hotel," a.k.a. Brit frontman Jamie Hince of transatlantic duo the Kills, model-cum-band-aid Kate Moss couldn't have fallen further from the Doherty tree: Hince, along with co-vocalist Alison Mosshart(a.k.a. "VV"), subscribe to a decidedly non-slapdash methodology,incubating songs in both construction and production. And here, "U.R.A.Fever," a new track from the their forthcoming LP, the follow up to2005's No Wow excepted to drop in March 2008, exemplifies theirtactic. As an on-off-on telephone dial-tone murks in the background,the pair trade gloomy vocals over a vicious heap of glossy, shadowyguitars and industrial-esque instrumentation. The chorus arrives withstraightforward handclaps, thick undertones, and piercing guitarscreeches -- a continual step forward into the art punk realm.

January 11, 2008 – It's official: the last of the Big Four has caved; Sony BMG -- as speculated last week -- will shed digital rights management (DRM) protection software and join with Amazon's online music storelater this month. The move, a landmark advancement in the consumptionof digital music, also renders Amazon the only online store to offerDRM-free tunes from all the Big Four labels -- EMI, Universal, Warner, and now, Sony BMG. José González, the ambitious singer/songwriter channeling your inner humanity, will hit the road yet again this spring in continual support of In Our Nature. And surely soothing Thom Yorke's concerns of touring's effect on the environment, González will join with Reverb,a non-profit organization founded by Guster guitarist Adam Gardner andhis wife, to focus on the tour's energy efficiency.

December 31, 2007 – Arriving just 15 minutes before stepping onstage at Philadelphia's tattered Khyber club, Athens, Georgia-based rockers the Whigs find that their reputation has preceded them. "You guys are screamers, right?" asks the club's soundman, fiddling with singer/guitarist Parker Gispert's mic. Caught off guard, Gispert replies, "Um, sometimes." The soundman is right. Two hours later, after the show, Gispert and drummer Julian Dorio sit nursing their shredded throats with beers in a dumpy hotel room. (The band also includes bassist Tim Deaux.) Formed while attending the University of Georgia, the Whigs honed their live chops the DIY, get-in-the-van way. "We'd drive 12 hours up to Philly for a show...and then get back for Monday-morning classes," says Dorio, futzing with his backward ball cap.

December 5, 2007 – New Yorkers pride themselves on their chameleon-like ability toadapt to any situation, but last night (Dec. 4) at downtown haunt theKnitting Factory, Athens, GA-based trio the Whigsput a cross-section of the Big Apple's concertgoers in their place --one of snooty subdue. Strolling onstage clad in a mix bag of Goodwillspecials, the Whigs kicked out a rusty rendition of "Like a Vibration,"the opening track from their forthcoming sophomore LP Mission Control,as a crowd heavily weighted in industry types stood idle.