Excellent Online

Well, we weren't gonna comment on this one until some definite confirmation came around, but it's officially starting to look as though GRAHAM COXON has left BLUR. Rumours started flying last week in the UK tabloids that Coxon had left the band -- but were quickly denied by Blur and Coxon spokespeople within the day. Then earlier this week it was discovered that the other three members of Blur - Damon, Alex, and Dave - had adjourned to Morocco to work on new recordings, while a seemingly unconcerned Coxon told NME he had no idea the band were even recording, claiming he's focusing on his next solo record. And now today, the news seems extraordinarily bad - Norman Cook (aka FATBOY SLIM), who is producing the new Blur record - went on record with The Evening Session and admitted that Coxon had effectively left the band and had not contributed to the new album. These statements were, to a degree, confirmed tonight by Blur's manager Chris Morrison, who issued a statement reading, "Blur and Graham are currently contemplating and deciding amongst themselves what the future arrangements will be." In other words, it doesn't look good for Coxon's continued presence in the band. We'll keep you updated.

I read this over at slashdot and it just sounded too insane. This site talks about how you can rip the audio off your vinyl and into MP3's by using a scanner. The audio samples are pretty crappy and some believe that it's a hoax, but I think it's funny anyway.

SpinART has put up an mp3 of the new APPLES IN STEREO single for a limited time. It's a tune called "Please," and it's pretty swell. The new Apples album drops in October (though copies are circulating around the internet in the usual spots). You can check out the single by clicking HERE. (Look for the link to the download in the bottom left corner of the page!)

(Instinct - US Release 20 Aug. 02)

"You know me, I take nothing seriously.
I can see a laughing face in every willow tree."
- Losing Your Affection

I think people often get confused by the many guises that Stephen Merritt shields himself in, I know I certainly do. The always haunting, never off-the-mark music of Mr. Merritt has entertained us as the Magnetic Fields, the 6ths, the Gothic Archies and yes, the Future Bible Heroes. Until this new release, The Bible Heroes were Stephen's collaboration with Boston DJ Christopher Ewan. These two have now transformed into three with vocalist Claudia Gonson (Magnetic Fields contributor).

CDNow put out a list of The 10 Essential Shoegazer Albums. It's not a bad list in that they've managed to get Swervedriver and Slowdive on there. And while I'm not the biggest Boo Radleys fan out there, I could swear that 'Giant Steps' was a more important shoegazer album then 'C'mon Kids'. Also the inclusion of the greatest hits packages by Charlatans and Lush is just offensive. Surely 'Between 10th and 11th' and 'Gala' would've been more appropriate.

Labrador Records announced today that they are buying Summersound Recordings of Stockholm. The two companies will merge into one, maintaining the name Labrador. "Labrador is better established abroad and has a strong visual identity in album covers, internet presence and promotional material," says Matthias Berglund.

You might have noticed a new name popping up around here on the news page recently. We'd just like to pop in and give an official welcome to LIZ SCHWARTZ, our newest administrator here at Excellent Online. Liz comes to us from the Windy City and is an old friend of ours. The good news: you'll be seeing a lot more updates to the site. The bad news: no one can EVER badmouth Saint Etienne again without hearing the Wrath of the Lizzie! Cheers and welcome aboard, Liz.

Paul Westerberg is a little full of himself, despite the popular ignorance (and critical acclaim) of his recent double cd release. Read the Reuters story for more...

It took them awhile, but on September 3rd, North Americans can finally expect the release of Sing-Sing material domestically. The album will be released on Manifesto Records with the following tracklisting:

One of these days we might get tired of talking about TURNERJOY, but today ain't one of those days. The band's second album, "Transplant," is finished and ready for release via the band's website (www.turnerjoy.com), and it's well worth a look-see. So much so, in fact, that if you click on "READ MORE", you'll get a gushing review from Shane.