the 88

No doubt about it, this week belonged to newly-minted President-Elect Barack Obama. But that doesn't mean the music world lay dormant: Fall Out Boy, Smashing Pumpkins, and the Decemberists all kicked off their respective U.S. tours, while the Killers treated fans to new tracks in London. Meanwhile, several artists -- including Amy Winehouse and Yeah Yeah Yeahs -- unveiled plans for records in 2009. Below, check out these stories plus the week's best MP3s, reviews, and more.Highlights Fall Out Boy Off-Key at Tour Opener The rusty pop-punk quartet struggle with their warm-up set at an intimate Boston club. READ>> The Killers Debut New Songs in London The Las Vegas foursome mix their hits with five tunes off their upcoming album, Day & Age. Read our review. READ>> Smashing Pumpkins Kick Off 20th Anniversary Tour The reunited alt-rock legends skip fan faves and dedicate a song to "MILF" Sarah Palin at Cleveland tour opener. READ>> The Decemberists Debut New Tunes at Tour Opener With supporting act Loch Lomond in tow, Colin Meloy and Co. kick off their U.S. jaunt in New York City. READ>> Amy Winehouse Records New Songs The troubled nightingale's follow-up to Back to Black is coming along -- and apparently the demos are great! Click here for details. READ>> Yeah Yeah Yeahs: "New Album Very Different" See what Karen O and crew have to say about their next release -- and find out when to expect it. READ>> Next Arctic Monkeys Album Coming Soon! The Brit-pop wunderkinds are almost finished with their third record. Click here for details! READ>> New Bruce Springsteen Album! The rock'n'roll legend is reportedly working on the follow-up to Magic. Click here for details! >>READ Editor's Blog Lost in the 'Twilight' Zone Edward may be a marble god of a vampire, but, geesh, can't somebody write him a decent pickup line? By SPIN's Phoebe Reilly. READ>> The Sorry State of Reunions GN'R, Smashing Pumpkins, the Jackson Five, and Led Zeppelin are four major offenders, says SPIN's Abigail Everdell. READ>> SPIN.com's Presidential Playlists! Get ready America! SPIN's Ellen Carpenter picks the best songs for an Obama -- or McCain -- inauguration. READ>> Audio/Video Paramore Premiere 'Twilight' SongVideo! Click here to watch "Decode," the pop-punk band's contribution to the Twilight soundtrack. READ>> Watch Smashing Pumpkins Play Unreleased Song In the studio: Billy Corgan and band perform the eight-minute, acoustic "99 Floors." READ>> Stream Leona Naess' Stirring Duet with Ryan Adams Hear the once-engaged couple revisit long lost chemistry on "Leave Your Boyfriends." READ>> New Video: Kings of Leon, "Use Somebody" The Southern kin show the melancholy side of touring in this clip for the latest single from Only By the Night. READ>> Reviews Little Joy, Little Joy (Rough Trade) READ>> Q-Tip, The Renaissance (Universal Motown) READ>> Dragonette, Galore (I Surender) READ>> Wild Beasts, Limbo, Panto (Domino) READ>>/a> PLUS: The best of last week.

the 88

SPIN.com’s Best of the Week, November 3-9

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