New album to be released by the Pretenders

It was just announced that the Pretenders will release a new album on September 23 called Break Up the Concrete. Their label (Shangri-La Music) is expanding on the idea of artists giving away their albums online for free. The album will be released song by song-- one song per week. This will be the band's first release in 6 years. A few things you can expect from the new album:

~Chrissie Hynde has collaborated with a new group of musicians for this album.

~The album was recorded in 10 days and has been described as a "stripped down roots album."

~The first MP3 was just released today and it's called "Boots of Chinese Plastic." Wanna listen? Click here. It's like nothing you've ever heard from the Pretenders, but still has the unmistakeable voice of Chrissie Hynde attached to it.

Paul Simon could have a hefty check coming his way. The musician wants $10 million in damages from a clock company in Georgia, who has been using his song "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Simon never gave them permission to do so and it has been estimated that 40,000 clocks have been manufactured and sold using the song.

The Dude Theory.

If you're not familiar with the name Mike Doughty, you might still recognize his voice from the 90's band Soul Coughing. They had a few hits that received some mainstream airplay, such as "Super Bon Bon" and "Circles." However, be mindful of shouting out a request for "Super Bon Bon" at one of Doughty's shows these days-- he might just kick you out of the venue.

Mike Doughty has put his Soul Coughing days behind him and has released a few solo albums since the band's breakup. His latest album is called Golden Delicious, which was released earlier this year. On this album, Doughty utilized a method he likes to call The Dude Theory. He describes the theory on his website as, "the idea of making a relaxed record that sounds like a bunch of dudes playing music for the pure joy of playing." Perhaps one day The Dude Theory will be at par with theories such as Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity or perhaps even the Big Bang Theory... I think it has potential.

Mike Doughty writes one of my favorite blogs, which you check out here. He recently posted a bunch of new videos--all acoustic performances with Scrap Linvingston on cello. And if you ever have the chance to see Mike Doughty live, do it... his catchy hooks and quirky lyrics are even better live!

:: Click here to stream Mike Doughty, live at Cat's Cradle on March 31, 2008 ::

The Feist/Muppet jam session...

This is too cool! Feist has recently recorded an alternate version of her hit "1,2,3,4" with the help of some Muppets. She's also set to make an appearance on Sesame Street at some point in August. You gotta see this:

Every morning when I wake up, I sit with my cup of coffee and go through my favorite music blogs and news websites to check in on the latest from my favorite bands. I thought I'd give you a rundown on a few things I came across this morning:

• Death Cab for Cutie just released a new video on MTV today (yes, believe it or not they still squeeze in a few music videos every now and again). You can check it out at the bottom of this post. The video is directed by Autumn de Wilde, who pretty much kicks ass with everything he does.
• When asked by BBC6 whether or not Oasis would be following in the footsteps of Radiohead by offering up their album for free online, Noel Gallegher said, "That's not our bag. I didn't spend a year in the most expensive studio in England, with the most expensive producer in America, and the most expensive graphic designer in London to then give it away. Fuck that." My point being... yes, Noel Gallegher is still a big jackass.
• Rolling Stone recently wrote an article about the Rothbury Festival (near Lake Michigan) and how it could be the next Bonnaroo. And you all know how we feel about Bonnaroo here at the Tide, so this can only be a good thing. You can check out the article here.
• Nickelback is the latest band to sign on with Live Nation for a 3 album and 3 tour deal. Supposedly they're going to get between $50-70 million dollars from the deal. How can a band suck so bad, yet be worth so much money? I guess it's just one of life's biggest mysteries. And while we're talking about crappy bands getting ridiculous amounts of money for making crappy music... how about that ridiculous $400 million contract Rush Limbaugh just renewed? Yup, on the air until 2016.
• Elvis Costello is teaming up with Elton John for a new tv series. Did y'all know this? Apparently it was announced on his website a few months ago. It's going to be called, "Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..." and it will appear on the Sundance channel. It will feature interviews and performances with both legendary and up-and-coming musicians. Now that's television I can watch!

I'm Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You

Yesterday I discovered a song that is so good, I've listened to it about 27 times in the last 24 hours. The band is called Black Kids and the song is called "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You." It's an excellent summer song. It sounds like the Cure, but way more pop influenced and upbeat. It's one of the best songs I've heard in a really long time. The band is from Jacksonville, FL and their debut album, Partie Traumatic, will be in stores on July 22. Check out the video below!

:: Click here to download "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You" by Black Kids ::

Guitarist for the Strokes getting ready to release new album

Albert Hammond, Jr. is getting ready to release a new solo album on July 8. For those who are unfamiliar with the name, he plays guitar in the band The Strokes. He is also the son of Albert Hammond, a musician and songwriter who wrote hits for Chicago, Tina Turner, Julio Iglesias, Willie Nelson and his biggest claim to fame (in my book atleast) is writing the song "Don't Turn Around" which was covered in 1993 by the band Ace of Base. I think that song has been stuck in my head for fifteen years now. Albert Hammond, Jr.'s new album is called Como Te Llama? and you can stream the entire album right now at his myspace page.

Also, for those who are big fans of Albert Hammond, Jr. or the Strokes, you might be interested in pre-ordering the album from Newbury Comics. You'll get an autographed booklet along with your order if you do so.

:: Click here to download the song "GFC" by Albert Hammond, Jr. ::