Superblast!

R.E.M., Death Cab join Record Store Day army

Record Store Day (April 19th) has just gotten a lot more record store day-ey.

In addition to exclusive goodies from Stephen Malkmus (10" single) and Vampire Weekend (7"), a few other artists are donating some exclusive releases to the cause. On April 19th, go to yr fave indie record store and pick up exclusive singles from Death Cab For Cutie, Black Keys, Built to Spill and some new band called R.A.M. -- or, wait -- R.E.M.

And don't forget Metallica! They'll be signing stuff in Mountain View, CA on Record Store Day!

Spend time with the Breeders

Hey, if you haven't been to Breeders Digest lately, you really should go. They miss you. They're getting worried. While you're there, click on the little photo of the turntable and, not only can you hear a stream of their upcomng LP Mountain Battles, you can follow them around their "Record Release Party" at a VFW in Dayton, OH. It's like 45 minutes of Kim Deal and co. clownin' around -- you can't go wrong.

Mountain Battles comes out next Tuesday (4/8).

"Chinese Democracy" = Free Dr. Pepper!!!!!

It's things like this that make life worth living. Remember how Axl Rose's Guns 'n Roses have been delaying the recording/release of Chinese Democracy since, like, 10,000 BC? Well, Dr. Pepper (yes, as in DR. Pepper) wants to hear it even more than you and he'll give a free can of his Dr. Pepper drink to every man, woman and child in the U.S. if Axl can get his shit together and release the album in 2008.

Let's let the good Dr. (or at least director of marketing Jaxie Alt) explain it himself: "It took a little patience to perfect Dr Pepper's special mix of 23 ingredients, which our fans have come to know and love, so we completely understand and empathize with Axl's quest for perfection -- for something more than the average album. We know once it's released, people will refer to it as 'Dr Pepper for the ears' because it will be such a refreshing blend of rich, bold sounds - an instant classic."

And, natch, there's a "Chinese Democracy When" blog. If Axl releases it this year, they should give a Dr. Pepper to everyone in CHINA too. 1 billion Peppers!

UPDATE: Axl responds! Says the dreadlocked one: "We are surprised and very happy to have the support of Dr Pepper with our album "Chinese Democracy," as for us, this came totally out of the blue. If there is any involvement with this promotion by our record company or others, we are unaware of such at this time. And as some of Buckethead's performances are on our album, I'll share my Dr Pepper with him."

Boris tweaks "Smile" for U.S. release

Japan's Boris is giving U.S. fans multiple reasons to "Smile" (and go broke). As they are wont to do, the trio are releasing their new album, Smile (due 4/29) in a variety of formats and a variety of versions. According to Pitchfork, the U.S. LP version will include re-mixes of "My Neighbor Satan," an extended take on "Flower Sun Rain" and two new tracks: "After Me" and "Vein." Plus, there's the "Floor Shaker" 12" (limited to 1,000) and the "Statement" 7" limited to 3,000 (and I've got two, so that leaves 2,998).

Tiny Mix Tapes has Boris' European tourdates.

Here's the NEW VIDEO for "My Neighbor Satan" (really not that exciting; Boris is so weird):

New Gnarls Barkley LP out NOW

Whoa, slow down bands! Gnarls Barkley's The Odd Couple was going to be released April 8. No more. The sucker's available NOW on iTunes and will be in yr local record store next Tuesday (3/25). The hit-and-run releasing strategy is a relatively new thing. Radiohead did it, then NIN, then Raconteurs and now Gnarls. It's all in the interest of thwarting pirates, folks. And quenching your music thirst a few days early.

New Raconteurs next Tuesday?

Follwing in the super-successful steps of Radiohead, the Raconteurs are allegedly dropping their second LP in stores next Tuesday (March 25). Whoa -- I didn't have time to clean up or put on any makeup! Do you guys mind just hanging out in the hallway while I get ready?

Sweet! Replacements catalog being re-issued

Awesome news. Finally, those long-time-coming Replacements re-issues are being released. Each Rhino deluxe edition will be remastered with extras tracks and expanded art. Can't hardly wait.

New Gnarls Barkley

Those crazy (hee hee!) doods Gnarls Barkley are back, and will be dropping The Odd Couple in April.

And they're givin' you a little taste of the record for free. The tune's called "Run" and you can stream it here, dood. Hurry little children!

Whut?! The New FREE Atmosphere Album

Et tu, Atmosphere? The MPLS hip-hop duo has gone ahead and sorta left a new full-length album out on their website for you to download for FREE. Like Radiohead! Or Okervill River! It's called Strictly Leakage and its got 13 tunes!

Atmosphere just released the Sad Clown Bad Winter EP and yet another new album, when life gives you lemons, you paint that shit gold, will be released in April. Jeez, slow down.

Free Okkervil River EP

Don't forget to pick up (meaning download) Okkervil River's X-mas present to you: The Golden Opportunities Mixtape, in which the band covers Randy Newman, Joni Mitchell, John Cale and more. And it's free, so you can give it to your mailman or whoever and be like "what'd you get ME?"

New Breeders album due in April

Ahhhh, Kim Deal. So cute, so awesome, so open to questions sent in by the readers of Venus magazine. In the excellent Q&A, the Pixies/Breeders/Amps singer/bassist/guitarist dishes on, among other things, the new Breeders album, which is apparently due April 8th of next year. Rock Daily says it's called Mountain Battles, and it'll be released by 4AD. AWESOME.

Says Deal:

"The new Breeders record is scheduled to be released in April 2008. There are 13 songs. Mando Lopez is still on bass, Jose Medeles on drums, Kelley Deal, my evil twin, on guitar and vocals, and I'm playing guitar and vocals.

The songs are just songs. But for instance, one song Kelley and I did live. She played stand-up bass and I played acoustic guitar while we sang. Steve Albini taped it live like that. Yet another song has Kelley playing bass and Mando playing rhythm guitar. I'm playing the lead and Kelley and I are singing throughout. On song has Mando playing a lead guitar which Albini then backward masked. One song has three, count 'em, three basses on it...."

Also says Deal:

"The only show I ever blacked out at because I was drunk was in Austin. Sorry about that."

Says Superblast! (speaking for Austin, Texas):

"You are forgiven."

Speaking of Kim Deal, you Pixies fans should be sure to check out Dig For Fire: A Tribute to the Pixies, now out on American Laundromat Records. It may be the best Pixies tribute yet, including Mogwai, TMBG, OK GO and some other cool doodz. The best track is the Rosedbuds' take on "Break My Body."

Shirley Manson going solo

This is interesting: Garbage lady Shirley Manson (she of the mouth-watering crimson locks and fantabulous Scottish brogue) is readying her solo album, including some collabs with Beck, Billy Corgan and Mr. Jack White.

Garbage went "on hiatus" back in the '05, but released a "best of" earlier this year.

UPDATE! White Stripes keeping biz-zay

Oh, those White Stripes. They just refuse to do things the normal way. They cancel a big tour, but that doesn't stop them from being the White Stripes. They've recently jumped into the studio to record four tunes (3 newbies and an alternate take on a mysterious Icky Thump track), joined by a "secret guest." And they've made an "exciting" video for an unknown song.

UPDATE! The "secret guest" joining them is Beck and the "unknown video" is a video for "Conquest." Rock Daily's got the deets.

In further W.S. news, Jack will be appearing on the silver screen (as Elvis!) in the upcoming Walk Hard. And Meg is still smokin' hot.

In Rainbows closing out 2007

Finally, some real Radiohead news -- not that crummy EMI boxset announcement. Mark your calendars for Dec. 31, cuz that's when you're sprinting to your local independent record store to pick up the "physical" version of Radiohead's In Rainbows. Better get there before 5, since it'll be closing earlier than usual just so the bespectacled dude behind the counter can go to some lame New Year's Eve party and drink PBR until he barfs on his friend's Yo La Tengo LP collection.

The album will be released on CD and vinyl, the first single, "Jigsaw Falling Into Place," sees the light of day on Jan. 14.

ATO is handling In Rainbows' release in the States, with XL taking on most of the rest of the world.

More Radiohead comin' at ya

If you really can't get your fill of Radiohead -- what with the download, the deluxe December release and the locks of Thom Yorke's hair you bought on eBay -- this announcement will help satiate your sick desires. Pervert.

EMI is releasing a "complete" Radiohead box (on Dec. 10) that will share shelf space with that huge Creed boxset you just bought. The band's albums Pablo Honey, The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A, Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief and their live album I Might Be Wrong will all be included. Pervert.

Radiohead's In Rainbows on XL Records

Head's up, Radiohead-heads, Radiohead is officially heading to XL Records to handle the physical release of their acclaimed downloadable album In Rainbows.

As per Billboard, the deal will only cover places outside of North America, which will allow Yorke and co. to sign with another label for distribution in the U.S. and Canada.

Rivers Cuomo to release old skool demoes

Weezer's big brain Rivers Cuomo has compiled a collection of demos for your future enjoyment. Geffen will release Alone - The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo on December 11. Notice that the demoes go back to 1992 -- that means all you post-Pinkerton haterz will be into this set too. And we may get some "Blue album"-related material. =w=

Tomorrow's Big Releases

Open yr wallets again, it's almost Tuesday. Let's buy Chrome Dreams II by the great Neil Young and Free Life by the underrated Dan Wilson.

And let's listen to the new Jimmy Eats World, R.E.M.'s first-ever live set, the new Willie (So Much to Do) and Underworld's latest, Oblivion With Bells.

Led Zep goes digital

OK, cool older siblings everywhere: Mark your calendars for November 13th, when Led Zeppelin finally give in to the 21st Century and add their tunes to iTunes and all the other legit digital distribution sites.

More new Portishead album details

ATTN: Portishead fans

Pitchfork's got the scoop on the Brit innovators' long-awaited new disc. Superblast! will bet you $100,000 that they'll be a headliner at either Coachella or Bonnaroo next year.

Meanwhile, singer Beth Gibbons is taking part in the very cool-sounding Annie Lennox "Sing" project, along with Bonnie Raitt, Madonna, Shakira, Celine Dion and others.