The brothers and Berninger of the National told Billboard that a new album's in the works, slated for a 2010 release date. They didn't mention what it would sound like, but that's what the internet and your aural analytic ability is for. There are three post-Boxer bits to process: "So Far Around The Bend," featuring arrangement from indie rock's composer crush Nico Muhly, and these two tunes performed at Carnegie Hall's Free Tibet fundrasier last week. Both feature stately horns, "Karamazov" more balladic and "Saints" pushed by plinking pianos, and each reassure that the National remain interested in exploring their awesome ability to find a refined, subtle simmering point for their cathartic anthems, rather than push shit into the red like so many of the lesser bands they've outlasted, and outgrown. Continue reading The National Unveil New Songs, Line Up A Tour (Feat. Berninger's Secret Stop At BAM)... - Source

A new compilation bringing limited-edition single releases on London record label Sonic Cathedral is set to be released in April. - Source

Former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler was named Producer Of The Year at the inaugural Music Producers Guild Awards 2009 in London last night (February 12). - Source

Footage of Blur recording their classic album 'Parklife' has been released for the first time on the internet. - Source

Morrissey has echoed comments his former bandmate Johnny Marr made in October by saying that The Smiths will not be reuniting. - Source

Conan's leaving 30 Rock for Carson's old desk at The Tonight Show on March 2nd, and as P4K reports, the last band to play the Late Night studio on his watch will be long-time O'Brien-chums Jack and Meg White. It's sad Conan's leaving NYC! But by moving to L.A. he will be much closer to Norm MacDonald all the time, and that is such a good news for laughter. - Source

NAME: Doves
PROGRESS REPORT: Prepping their forth album, Kingdom Of Rust, out April 6.

"We go into the studio and we tend to go in daily until we get somewhere, and that's either a really pleasant experience or a really torturous experience," Doves vocalist and bassist Jimi Goodwin says. And with four years between this record and 2005's Some Cities, you'd hope Doves had more of the former experience. But most of the intervening years were spent on all the stuff outside the band and the studio. "We took time off. [Drummer] Andy [Williams] had a baby in October of last year, so I think we took out six weeks then, and that was the longest hiatus we had for the record," Goodwin says. "When we go in and do stuff, it's roll your sleeves up and tank up your life for a while until its done. But sadly real life has a habit of poking its head in, with and lots of ups and downs." So recording wasn't relaxed, he says, but just broken up by all the other things band members had going on. Continue reading Progress Report: Doves... - Source

The US justice department announced today (February 11) that it is launching an investigation into the proposed merger of Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc and Live Nation Inc. - Source

Cornelius is often revered and respected among those in the music community. And ever since the release of his 1997 breakthrough Fantasma, he's almost become a mythical creature in these parts. He can fill stadiums in his homeland of Japan, but trips to our continent are far and few between. This is why we're so bummed his first trip to the States this year will only bring him to the West coast. - Source

Former Grandaddy frontman Jason Lytle has announced that he will release his first solo album in May. - Source