Coldplay streaming Viva la Vida

HERE

the album is set for a June 17th release.

Last FM announced its first series of live music events in the US, in a partnership with The Bowery Presents, New York’s largest independent concert promotion company. Fleet Foxes and Lightspeed Champion are the first artists to play the Last FM & Bowery Presents co-promoted US concerts, kicking off a series of stateside live music events for Last FM.

Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan have joined the ranks of musicians endorsing Barack Obama. I expect more musicians to follow suit, seeing as how Obama has now secured the Democratic nomination.

I've discovered a new band I like, a pop punk act from NY called The Bloodsugars. Visit them on MYSPACE

The Bloodsugars - Purpose Was Again [mp3]

Bob Dylan - Times They Are A Changing [mp3]

Franz Ferdinand on tour

according to Pitchfork,"Franz Ferdinand have also lined up at least two "secret" shows in advance of a spate of summer festival appearances. The first, according to a Rough Trade email, goes down June 9 at London's Macbeth, while the second, according to a writeup on blog this is hull and east riding.co.uk, hits Hull's Adelphi club on June 22."

the regular dates are below:

06-09 London, England - The Macbeth
06-22 Hull, England - The Adelphi
07-04 Tallinn, Estonia - Ollesummer Festival
07-12 Ferrara, Italy - Piazza Castello
07-18 Southwold, England - Henham Park (Latitude Festival)
07-19 Gräfenhainichen, Germany - Ferropolis (Melt! Festival)
08-07 Skanderborg, Denmark - Skanderborg Festival
08-08 Gothenburg, Sweden - Way Out West Festival
08-30 Stradbally, Ireland - Electric Picnic
08-31 Scotland - Hydro Connect Festival

Franz Ferdinand - The Fallen [mp3]

Franz Ferdinand's new record is due out this October. a more extensive tour will probably follow. they are my second favourite Scottish rock band, after Snow Patrol and before Belle and Sebastian.

NEW SONG BY ALBERT HAMMOND JR AVAILABLE ON SPIN.COM!

!!!
it's called GfC. I've previously heard some versions on YOUTUBE but the studio version is BREATHTAKING. seriously, I'm floored. his new record is like an awesome birthday gift for me, only a month early. and I'm sure as hell not complaining

Albert's debut record, Yours To Keep is fantastic, and his second record seems like it's gonna surpass even that. I didn't think it was possible, but hey, he's a Stroke, right? they're just amazing like that. do you hear what he's doing with his voice? it's totally like Jules challenging himself on First Impressions...GAH I AM SO EXCITED!!

read the SPIN article HERE and download it there too, or, what the hell, I'll make it easier

Albert Hammond Jr- GfC [mp3-highly recommended!!]

oh, btw, according to Rolling Stone, vinyl is making a comeback. it's about time.

Kurt Cobain's ashes have been stolen

from their home with his now "suicidal" widow Courtney Love. Read NME's story HERE

Albert Hammond Jr has spoken to NME about his new record (due out July 8th) and says that "I'm really proud of the power this record has. I feel like my melodies and song arrangements have matured. Lyrically, I tried to have the words flow out more freely and not try to write one song but many. I would just sing and sing and then arrange the words afterwards."

read the full story HERE

tickets are on SALE for the download festival in SF (actually, Mountain View at Shoreline) on July 19th, featuring such artists as Brother Ali, Yeasayer, Tapes n Tapes, Louis XIV and Brand New view the full lineup HERE

Nirvana - Heart Shaped Box [mp3]