The Who to Play Super Bowl, Says Another Anonymous Source
Another person unwilling to reveal their name has told another publication that The Who will indeed perform at Super Bowl XLIV, adding to the anticipation of the NFL’s (and the band’s) apparently-pending official announcement.... read more
Best of What's Next: fun.
Hometown: New York Album: Aim and Ignite Members: Andrew Dost (keyboards, guitar, vocals), Nate Ruess (vocals), Jack Antonoff (guitar, vocals) For Fans Of: Ben Folds, Queen, The Format Last year, following the dissolution of his first band, ex-Format frontman Nate Ruess made a pilgrimage idealized by young Americans long before Sinatra’s famed salute: Having overstayed his welcome in his Arizona hometown, the songwriter moved to New York to start a new life. “There’s a big difference between comfort and what you’re destined to do,” Ruess says. “I needed a change in every aspect of my life.”... read more
The Velvet Underground Reunites for New York Public Library Chat
It’s been a long time since proto-punk legends The Velvet Underground started stretching the confines of rock ‘n’ roll in the late ‘60s, and while the band itself doesn’t have plans to reunite for a performance any time soon, they are doing the next best thing. Former frontman Lou Reed, bassist Doug Yule and drummer Maureen Tucker will make an appearance at the New York Public Library on Dec. 8 to chat with rock journalist David Fricke about the band’s legacy and impact on rock music’s evolution.... read more
The Rapture Working With Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Producer on New Album
Following up his work on Phoenix’s Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, French producer Philippe Zdar will lend his creative hand to The Rapture’s forthcoming full-length album.... read more
Carrie Underwood: Play On
Underwood’s third album is overdeveloped and undercooked Carrie Underwood’s new album isn’t meant for iPods or headphones—or, for that matter, for individuals. It’s a more public record than a private or personal one, sometimes for better but usually for worse. Opener and first single “Cowboy Casanova” is a barnburner that will be the prelude to many girls’ nights out, while “Mama’s Song” will no doubt soundtrack innumerable weddings in the next few months. Other songs on Play On have less lofty goals: “Someday When I Stop loving You” and “What Can I Say” are soundtrack-ready montage rock; the latter deserves... read more
Best of What's Next: Pomegranates
Pomegranates' Everybody, Come Outside! might be the most fitting album title of the year... read more
Yo La Tengo Sets Tour Dates Sans Service Charges
Surcharges are the bane of any concert experience, tricking show-goers to pay just a little more than expected for their musical experience. Yo La Tengo is doing their part to sidestep some of these pesky add-ons while supporting their latest Popular Songs. Which is to say: the band’s upcoming January shows in middle-America will be delightfully easy on the wallet, each just $20 or less.... read more
Frightened Rabbit Comes Out of Hibernation for New Album
It’s cold out. Cold and dry, in a way that causes your lips to crack. Even your thickest scarf won’t keep the air from stinging your neck. But you’re inside, under a blanket, a cup of hot tea on your lap; you’re watching wood disappear in the fireplace. You’re comfortable, safe. That’s the mood of Frightened Rabbit’s music. And in 2010, just after the thaw of winter, we’ll get to hear some more of it; the perpetually-sweater-clad band will release it’s third album, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, in March.... read more
Mattel Preps Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett and Debbie Harry Dolls
Mattel is setting the tone for a throwback Christmas by unveiling the first looks of its “Ladies of the 80s” collection, featuring doll versions of Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett and Debbie Harry.... read more
Pixies to Sell Recordings of U.S. Doolittle Shows
Although fans have already listened to Doolittle for two decades, the Pixies have found a new way to keep the classic album in the collective consciousness.... read more
Badly Drawn Boy Readies TV-Movie Soundtrack
Damon Gough, AKA: Badly Drawn Boy, is confirmed to compose the music for an upcoming U.K. made-for-TV film.... read more
Norah Jones: The Fall
Unexpected dance grooves from jazzy folk star As a jazz-adoring youngster, Norah Jones initially made her mark as a performer, her best-known songs written by others. Jones has since grown up as a songwriter on the biggest of stages, a challenge she’s tackled by turning inward, working with a set of regular bandmates and daring to whisper her increasingly pointed lines when others might over-emote.... read more
Best of What's Next: Harper Simon
Harper Simon can't help being caught in the great melodious wake of his father... read more
Justin Townes Earle Sets Winter Tour Dates
Justin Townes Earle is one of the best things to happen to country music in 2009. His latest and nearly flawless record, Midnight at the Movies, stands as an organic blend of honest, dusty outdoor ditties bathed in clean and simple studio production, which is probably why Amazon named it #8 best country record of the year, its “Walk Out” earning the runner-up best country song title.... read more
Liam Gallagher to Continue Oasis With New Band Name, Without Noel
Does a rock group become a completely new band if one member leaves? Ex-Oasis guitarist and songwriter Liam Gallagher would likely answer yes—especially when that member is his brother Noel. During an interview to support his Pretty Green clothing line, Gallagher told an Italian radio station that the remaining members of Oasis (as in, everyone but Noel) will continue as a reformed band under a different moniker.... read more
Annie: Don't Stop
Half formula, half adventure “Do you want more, baby, do you want more?” These are the first words Annie purrs on her sophomore album, a come-on that would fit snugly on a Britney Spears anthology. It may seem befuddling how this Norwegian singer gets the indie oligarchy’s sacred seal of approval while other remarkably similar pop acts don’t. But listening to the rest of Don’t Stop, it becomes clear that Annie is more adventurous than her peers.... read more
Listen Up: Marissa Nadler, Where Have I Been All Your Life?
Two Saturday nights ago, the night before my birthday, I'd had two tacos and two margaritas and I was at The Earl in Atlanta with my boyfriend Joe when I decided that I was going to love Marissa Nadler forever... read more
Best of What's Next: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band's self-titled debut twitches and writhes with capricious tempo shifts... read more
Wilco Launches Haiku Contest
Despite their plans to record new material in January, Wilco wants fans to contemplate the seven studio albums they’ve already released, in the band’s first-ever haiku contest.... read more
The Who Calls Super-Bowl Rumors "Pure Speculation"
Due an onslaught of reports that began circulating Thursday, The Who have called rumors of a Super Bowl performance “pure speculation,” in a statement released today.... read more
The 20 Best Gadgets of the Decade…
The 17 Best Romantic Comedies This Decade
The 50 Best Albums of the Decade…
The 25 Best Movie Performances of the…
Blind Pilot - The Story I Heard
Kim Taylor - Days Like this
Gregory Alan Isakov - The Moon Song
Patrick Watson - Man Like You
Punch Brothers - Punch Brothers at CMJ
Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Stay Zombie…
Anya Marina - Whatever You Like
David Bazan - Hard To Be
