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This will be the last Fuseblog post of 2008, so what better time to announce Fuseblog's own Best of 08 Awards. The list is strictly the opinion of the Fuseblog, and in no way represents any other Fuse entity. It's a short, but sweet list. And it will be in paragraph form.

Album of the Year is You & Me by The Walkmen. A mature sound with a knowing touch indicates that the Walkmen may only get better. Song of the Year is Single Ladies by Beyonce, because it's undeniably awesome. Proprietary Audio Processor Of The Year is the Autotuner. Avant Classical piece of the year is The Only Tune by Nico Muhly, which features the vocals of Sam Amidon. Britney Moment Of The Year is the successful launch of her new album, because it's nice to see her not falling apart. Lost Moment of the Year is when the island disappeared. Copiers of the Year are Coldplay (see below).

And now, on to the news:

After months of writing, rewriting, and several different producers, including Rick Rubin, U2 have finished their newest album. It's called No Line On The Horizon, and it will be out in early March. No tour plans yet, but given the band's relationship with Live Nation, some sort of announcement should be forthcoming.

Donald Trump, owner of hotels, casinos and restaurants (try the Trump Burger) is a Neil Young fan. He's been to several New York shows in recent years and calls Neil's voice haunting. "Whatever the hell ‘it’ is, he’s got it," says the Donald, and he's right.

Zach Braff, Kim Kardashian and Selena Gomez have more MySpace friends than you. In fact, they have more MySpace friends than anyone, according to MySpace.

News that will surprise no one: Chris Martin admits that Coldplay song Shiver "rips off" Jeff Buckley.

Links:

U2 To Release New Album In March [Reuters]

Neil Young's Biggest Fan Speaks: "His Voice Is Haunting" [Rolling Stone]

Gomez, Hilton Among MySpace Friends Leaders [AP/Yahoo]

Coldplay's Chris Martin: 'I Ripped Off Jeff Buckley' [NME]

Tagged as: Music

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So Far Around The Bend

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 08:50 AM

Good news for a Thursday morning: The National are "pretty far into the process of writing" its next album, which will be the follow-up to 2007's Boxer, the Brooklyn band's fourth album. Since Boxer's release, the National have toured North America, Europe (including Russia and Turkey), Australia and South America, and did a domestic swing with R.E.M. They are scheduled to appear at Philip Glass's Tibet House benefit at Carnegie Hall in February. And they helped put together the upcoming AIDS benefit CD Dark Was The Night, which will feature contributions from Grizzly Bear, Spoon, Feist, Beirut, Broken Social Scene and more.

At last, we have closure: Akon has pleaded guilty to harassment in a Fishkill, NY court. Thanks to a plea bargain, the rapper will only pay a $250 fine and serve 65 hours of community service. Pretty light sentence for tossing a teenager form the stage. But all's well that ends well, as Akon apologized to the now-sixteen year-old as well as the kids parents, and even shook their hands. And then he tossed everyone off of the courthouse steps and into a screaming crowd.

We already know that Phish is reuniting for shows next year. But will they headline Bonnaroo? That's the word according to sources, those sources being two fleece pullovers and a veggie burrito.

The Yeah Yeahs have a nice lil' Christmas song streaming at their MySpace. And, according to them, a new album will be coming in 2009 and it will sound like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, even though it will sound nothing like previous Yeah Yeah Yeah releases. Cool.

Say It Ain't So: the marriage of Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony may be on the rocks. Apparently Anthony has been out at clubs complaining about his wife, while J.Lo is sick of being a "housewife." So their marriage is like every other marriage.

Links:

The National Writing For New Album [Billboard]

Hip-Hop's Akon Admits Throwing Fan Off Stage [AP]

Phish To Headline Bonnaroo 2009, Sources Say [Rolling Stone]

Yeah Yeah Yeahs [MySpace]

Report: Jennifer Lopez's And Marc Anthony's Relationship On The Rocks [Fox News]

Tagged as: Music

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They Wish You A Merry Christmas

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 10:55 AM

Craig Finn of the Hold Steady has had an interesting career. He found minor success, as well as much cred, with Minneapolis math rockers Lifter Puller. He then moved to New York, Got A Job, and left music performance behind. Until he found he couldn't stay away. A short, brief autobiography of The Hold Steady can be found in the Independent. Highs include touring the world, becoming mega-successful, and meeting musical heroes. The lows include... actually, there aren't really any lows.

The Christmas rock just keeps coming: check out Weezer's version of We Wish You A Merry Christmas at Spin.com. It's from the Christmas With Weezer EP which is out as of yesterday.

Portishead fans will not have to wait eleven years for another album from the Bristol, England trio: Geoff Barrow tells BBC 6 Music that following some soul-searching, and the realization that Portishead remains creatively interesting, the band have collectively decided to head back into the studio in 2009 and record what will be their fourth album.

End of the year hilarity: this Oscars-style 'In Memoriam' ode to indie acts to whom we bid farewell in 2008, courtesy of Stereogum.

Links:

The Hold Steady - Once More, With Feeling [Independent]

Listen To Weezer's Christmas Song! [Spin.com]

Portishead's Fourth [BBC 6 Music]

Indie Rock In Memoriam 2008 [Stereogum]

Tagged as: Music

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Black Mirror

Posted on December 16, 2008 at 12:01 PM

Miroir Noir, the Arcade Fire tour documentary, is now available for purchase. The film promises much unreleased Neon Bible tour footage, behind the scenes stuff, etc etc. The film was made by Vincent Morriset and Vincent Moon, who is know for his work with R.E.M. and The National, as well as his Paris-based Take Away Shows. All of which means Miroir Noir is probably pretty good.

Road rage - it even affects critically acclaimed UK grime rappers! London's Dizzee Rascal, the 24 year-old wonder kid, was arrested on Friday afternoon after a road rage incident in which the rapper, real name Dylan Mills, approached another motorist with a baseball bat. Which means that Major League Baseball is making inroads in the UK grime community.

Mothers in the UK are ditching traditional lullabies in favor of new school jams. According to the BBC, a survey by The Baby Website found that many moms are singing pop tunes to their shorties, at the expense of tunes like Rock-A-Bye-Baby. The top modern bedtime tunes include Wonderwall by Oasis (that's sweet), Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns n' Roses (awww) and I Kissed A Girl by Katy Perry (huh?).

Coming Friday, Fuseblog's Top Music Of 2008.

Links:

Miroir Noir [Arcade Fire]

Dizzee Rascal Arrested After Baseball Bat Incident [Guardian]

Pop Tunes 'Used To Calm Babies' [BBC]

Tagged as: Music

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They Are The Resurrection?

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 01:44 PM

Reunions, reunions, reunions... It's happening everywhere. And even when there ISN'T a reunion, members of bands that are currently unreunited are calling to reunite. Take Mani, bassist for the Stone Roses. He currently plays in Primal Scream, but he'd lie to play with the Roses again. Which is why he is pushing for a public campaign that calls for a Stone Roses reunion. Fascinating: "Me, John [Squire, guitarist] and Reni [drums] are up for doing it and Ian just needs some working on. Next year is the 20th anniversary of the first album. It's the ideal time to do it. It's something I would love to do before we are all fat and bald. Start the campaign."

A cover of Britney's Womanizer by the endlessly awesome Lily Allen can be found at Stereogum.

Not only is Pearl Jam's debut album Ten being reissued, but it will be available for Rock Band 2 download in March.

Links:

Mani Says 2009 Is The 'Ideal Time' For Te Stone Roses To Reunite [NME]

Lily Allen Covers Womanizer [Stereogum]

Pearl Jam Bringing Ten To Rock Band 2 [Rolling Stone]

Tagged as: Britney Spears , Music

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Lick It Up, Again

Posted on December 12, 2008 at 09:10 AM

KISS, yes, KISS, are making a new album. The news comes as a surprise following last year's statements by Gene Simmons, who bemoaned the state of the industry and grandly announced that KISS would never make another album. This new recording will be the first KISS record since 1998's Psycho Circus, and, according to frontman Paul Stanley, will represent a return to the band's classic 70s sound. Um, with the exception of a few keybords in the 80s, hasn't been the only sound they've ever had?

Details of shows scheduled around the Presidential inauguration on January 20th are starting to be announced. A big one will take place at Washington's Harmon Center For the Arts, and will feature performances by Elvis Costello, Sting and Sam Moore, as well as appearances by Spike Lee, Anne Hathaway and others. Proceeds will go to arts and entertainment advocacy group The Creative Coalition. Don't think about going, because the event is already sold out, with the tickets likely "purchased" by very famous and rich people whom you are not to speak to.

Following the jaw-dropping news of Bronx Mowgli Wentz's name being Bronx Mowgli Wentz, comes more jaw-dropping news: the godfather of Bronx? Travis from Gym Class Heroes. So this makes Katy Perry...? Travis is saying all the right things: "I'm so proud. Pete told me I was treading godfather territory and two days later, after I met Bronx and Ashlee saw how good I was with him, it was official."

Links:

KISS Making First Album Since 1998 [Reuters]

Costello To Play At Obama Concert [BBC]

Asslee And Pete Name Son's Godfather [Perez Hilton]

Above image of Bloom County by Berke Breathed.

Tagged as: Music

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Be Here Now

Posted on December 11, 2008 at 10:13 AM

Michael Jackson's famed white gloves are iconic parts of pop history. Who wouldn't, especially in these dark economic times, want to own one It just makes sense. Fortunately, one is up for auction! The gates to his Neverland ranch are also for sale. Going once... going twice...

"Yeah, well...I don't live in the past with Oasis, d'ya know what I mean? It's kind of what's gone on before is irrelevant to me. Is it as good as "Definitely Maybe?" Is it as good as "Morning Glory"? I don't care. I don't listen to either of them, d'ya know what I mean? And after I finish this tour, I won't listen to this one either. So, fans can get on all the forums and they can debate it 'til they're (bleeping) blue in the face. I've got better things to do, like the next record." - Noel Gallagher of Oasis, never a dull interview, in today's Detroit News.

Since Nielson Soundscan began tracking sales data in 1991, only one artist has had five albums debut with sales of 500,000 units or more: Britney Spears. Britney moved ahead of 2Pac, 50 Cent, Garth Brooks and Jay-Z on the list with her newest album Circus, which sold 505,000 copies last week. Damn.

Links:

Michael Jackson's Neverland Gates, Glove For Sale [Reuters]

Oasis Leader Shares Views On Playing Detroit, Being Attacked, And Manners [Detroit News]

Britney's 'Circus' Debuts Atop Album Chart [Billboard]

Tagged as: Britney Spears , Music

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Songs From Eastern Britain

Posted on December 10, 2008 at 11:46 AM

Tfc

Nine Inch Nails are known for throwing some of the most innovative, visually explosive shows in music. They are arguably the most innovative arena band out there. So it's a bit puzzling, as well as disappointing, to hear Trent Reznor announce the end of the current NIN live experience. In a blog post titled Curtain Call, Reznor discusses his struggles with The Label over a planned tour DVD, and reveals that the few 2009 shows booked, as well as any future NIN shows, will be different from what we're used to. With ace drummer Josh Freese leaving the fold to tend to little tykes, time must have seemed right for an assessment of matters. Sayeth Trent: "The shows we have announced in 2009 and any more that may be announced will be a completely different approach with some different personnel and will likely be the last for the foreseeable future."

Noted curmudgeon Billy Corgan told the Chicago Tribune that the Smashing Pumpkin will no longer release albums, only singles. The reason for the new strategy can be traced to our iPod culture, in which we (you and me) listen to the singles and glaze over the rest, yawn, because we can't pay attention to albums. Corgan also says concertgeors will no longer hear classic Pumpkins, as they will play smaller venues and act like a new band. Which they are. Also, he says that former Pumpkin James Iha drove him insane. That's all for now.

Endlessly awesome, only-getting-better-with-age Teenage Fanclub (above) are in the midst of tracking their upcoming album. After recording their last album, Man-Made, in Chicago with Tortoise/Gastr Del Sol/Sea and Cake's John McEntire, the Fanclub are back in the UK, Norfolk to be exact, to record what will be the ninth full-length. It's worth noting that in 1991 Kurt Cobain called Teenage Fanclub the best band in the world, and invited them to open on the Nevermind tour. Kurt knew what he was talking about.

Links:

Curtain Call [NiN]

Billy Corgan Dishes On The Smashing Pumpkins: The Past Is Dead To Me [Turn It Up : Chicago Tribune]

Work Starts On A New Album! [Teenage Fanclub]

Tagged as: Music

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Parklife

Posted on December 9, 2008 at 10:13 AM

The Telegraph wonders if games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero are inspiring British kids to take up real musical instruments. Pointing to a study by charity Youth Music, the Telegraph concludes the answer to be Yes. According to the study, over 2.5 million kids have taken up playing the real thing after playing music-based console games... that would be 19% of the 12 million kids in the UK between ages 3 and 18. But will they stick with it once they see that guitar is more than just some buttons? The success rate will probably be no different to numbers in the past, when kids were inspired by "big" rock bands like Led Zeppelin who were on the radio and TV and pretty much everywhere. These games have become the new radio for many young people.

(Via Pitchfork) Kanye West delivers on his blog the potentially devastating news that will.i.am is producing the new U2 album. So does this mean that Eno and Lanois are out? And this is after the Rick Rubin work was scrapped. Once again, we will repeat our oft-stated plea: will.i.am, PLEASE GO AWAY.

<blur>OK, so that Blur reunion we keep mentioning? If you're a member of the Blur mailing list, then you may have already read this:

BLUR CONFIRM LONDON SHOW IN HYDE PARK 3 JULY 2009

Graham Coxon will join Alex James, Dave Rowntree and Damon Albarn onstage for this first time since their Royal Festival Hall performance in 2000.

Damon and Graham tell the NME that the timing just felt right and that it didn't feel pointless.</blur>

Up above is the artwork for Bruce Springsteen's Working On A Dream, due out January 27th. Notably, the album will contain music from E Street organist Danny Federici, who passed away in March.

Links:

Computer Games Inspire Children To Learn Musical Instruments [Telegraph]

Will I Am Is Producing On Next U2 Album [kanyeuniversecity.com]

Blur :: Hyde Park 2009 [blur.co.uk]

Blur Speak: "We Are Reuniting For Hyde Park Gig" [NME]

Billboard Bits: Bruce Springsteen [Billboard]

Tagged as: Music

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Ooh La La

Posted on December 8, 2008 at 10:04 AM

Don't get in line for full-scale Blur reunion tour tickets yet - bassist Alex James isn't necessarily on board. James, speaking to Q Radio in the UK, noted that the drumkit-less sounds of Beethoven, Brahms and Bizet are far more inspiring than pop is to him now that he is married with a family and happily entrenched in a Country House. He also says he'd like to make an album with an orchestra. Which all may be true, but noted socializer James can surely be convinced for a victory lap around the bright lights of the pop metropolis?

And what does Noel Gallagher now think of the famous 1995 battle between Oasis single Roll With It and Blur's Country House? "Looking back now that fight's all so pathetic over two really quite shit pop songs." Quite true, but their respective parent albums were ace. More in this fantastic interview.

Wow: the Faces (that's them above, back in the day) are going on tour in 2009. The lineup will include original members Rod Stewart and current Stones guitarist Ron Wood. Bassist Ronnie Lane passed away in 1997, and four-stringers are lining up to fill in, including, according to Wood, Red Hot Chili Pepper Flea. Why must the Red Hot Chili Peppers ruin everything? And for some modern context, it's Ooh La La by the Faces that plays out at the end of Wes Anderson's Rushmore.

Links:

Blur Reunion? Alex James Would Rather Make A Classical Record [Guardian]

Noel Gallagher Talks Oasis Past And Present [Guardian]

Ron Wood Says Faces Reunion Tour Is "Ready To Go" [Rolling Stone]

Tagged as: Music

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Coldplay: Can Afford Lawyers

Posted on December 5, 2008 at 12:54 PM

Coldplay may be rich, successful and good looking, but they certainly seem to catch a lot of sh*t from all over the place. The latest sticky situation for Mr. Paltrow et al is a lawsuit from 80s Surfing With The Alien shredder Joe Satriani, who is claiming that the CP tune Viva La Vida blatantly ripped off one his riffs, and that the song uses "substantial original portions of If I Could Fly, a song Satriani released in 2004. IE, several years before Viva La Vida. Satriani is seeking damages and any and all profits from Vida La Vida (the song, not the album).

It seems like it's been all AC/DC, all the time the past few months in the rock n' roll world, so now's as good a time as any to announce that plans are underway in Australia to make a biopic about the life of Bon Scott, the late AC/DC vocalist who died in 1980, and whose voice can be heard on Highway To Hell, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, and other classics.

So there is a song on the new Britney Spears jam called If You Seek Amy. If said a certain way, it sounds like four letters, and the word "me." And, of course, parents aren't happy.

Links:

Guitarist Satriani Sues Coldplay [BBC]

Bon Scott Movie In The Making [Sky News Australia]

Song Title Angers Parents [Rolling Stone]

Tagged as: Britney Spears , Music

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Kermit Sings The Blues

Posted on December 4, 2008 at 01:20 PM

That's Kermit The Frog singing LCD Soundsystem's New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down. Featuring a surprise guest at the end.

The Grammys, they can surprise us sometimes. The nominees for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards were announced yesterday. Who's up for Album Of The Year? Radiohead. That's right - eleven years after OK Computer lost out to Bob Dylan's Time Out Of Mind. This year Radiohead's In Rainbows is up against Coldplay's Vida La Vida, Lil Waynes Tha Carter III, Ne-Yo's The Gentleman, and Raising Sand, the collabo between Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Full list of nominees is here.

Dhani Harrison is the son of the late Beatle George Harrison. By all accounts, he's a good chap, and, as Rolling Stone points out, his music is sometimes more Massive Attack than Fab Four. Also, it's pretty amazing how closely he resembles his dad.

Links:

New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down [YouTube]

Lil Wayne Tops 51st Grammy Nominations [Grammy.com]

Hot Beatle Progeny: Dhani Harrison [Rolling Stone]

Tagged as: Music

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Enuff Z'Nuff

Posted on December 3, 2008 at 11:53 AM

Moz_yor

What's the worst band name ever? That's a tough one; there are so many. Mojo recently mused on the subject, mentioning many of the usual suspects: Toad the Wet Sprocket, Enuff Z'Nuff, Crazy Town, Bowling For Soup, and many, many more. What is our nominee? That would be Puddle Of Mudd, of course.

Is that really the cover of the upcoming Morrissey album up above? Yes, according to Morrissey-solo.com. And yes, as Pitchfork points out, this will mark the third straight cover in which Moz is holding a prop.

Because it's awesome: Boston Spaceships, newest project from former Guided By Voices main man Robert Pollard. And Guided By Voices is as good a band name as Puddle Of Mudd is bad.

Happy 60th Birthday Ozzy Osbourne!

Links:

What's The Worst Band Name, Like, Ever? [Mojo]

Morrissey Seems To Have Outdone Himself Once Again [Pitchfork]

Boston Spaceships [MySpace]

Rocker Ozzy Hits 60! [Contact Music]

Tagged as: Music

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More Angel Dust?

Posted on December 2, 2008 at 11:30 AM

Faith No More were the most bizarre of creatures - a pioneering metal band that was popular with both critics and fans, and which spawned future accomplished ventures from various members (Imperial Teen, as well as singer Mike Patton's numerous, musically varied projects). Unfortunately, they also, legendarily, loathed each other. Which make news of a possible reunion all the more intriguing. So far, all we have are rumors that venues in the UK have been booked for a spring tour, and that summer festivals are attempting to book the band. Patton has always been against a reunion, but in the past year he softened his stance.

And in other news, Pixie Frank Black/Black Francis will be producing the new Art Brut album, says Eddie Argos.

Also, the Specials have announced a reunion tour.

Also also, eighties pop wonders The Human League are making a new album.

Finally, we would be remiss if we did not mention that Britney Spears has announced a world tour that will begin in March. Circus is out today. And it's Britney's 27th birthday!

Links:

Faith No More To Reunite? [The Guardian]

Frank Black Producing Art Brut's New Album [Pitchfork]

The Specials Announce Full UK Reunion Tour [Gigwise]

Human League [The List]

Britney Spears Announces World Tour [ABC News]

Tagged as: Britney Spears , Music

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Our House

Posted on December 1, 2008 at 08:47 AM

Everyone has to live somewhere - even rock stars! And their parents. Apartment Therapy Los Angeles (via Earfarm) dug up these old pics of 70s era musicians and their parents in their (the parents) domiciles. Highlights include David Crosby and his dad Floyd just chilling in a modernist, Ojai, California pad, as well as the Jackson 5 in their Brady Bunch-style LA home. Sweetest, though, is Eric Clapton and his dear old mum, taking it easy in the UK house that he bought with the wages garnered from making the devil's music.

At lest it will keep him busy: supermodel dater, talented songwriter and all around real rock star Pete Doherty can't wait to get his old band The Libertines back together. All that's holding it up is co-Libertine Carl Barat, who wants to be sure that Doherty will not, you know, fall over, or disappear, or pass out, or embarrass himself, or something like that.

Not everything that Rick Rubin turns to gold. U2 guitarist the Edge is reporting that the Rubin-produced tracks recorded for the next U2 album have "been scrapped," and will not appear at all. It came down to a battle of philosophies: Rubin likes to go into the studio knowing exactly what will be done. U2, of course, like to spend months in the studio, writing while recording. It was never meant to be...

Links:

Look! 70s Rock Musicians And Their Parent's Homes [Apartment Therapy Los Angeles]

Doherty Desperate To Reform The Libertines [XFM]

U2 Scrap Rick Rubin Tracks On New Album [NME]

Tagged as: Music

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