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Over at News.com they have an article about how several major labels have been quietly shipping new copy-protected CDs for the past few months. The CDs will play fine in your CD player but if you try to rip the disc onto your PC, the tracks will be filled with "clicks and pops". There's no mention of specific titles with the new technology.

Janes Addiction have reformed again and will be touring the US in August. NME is reporting that the tour will be a festival titled, "Jubilee", which includes Stereo MC's, Weezer, and Live. The tour dates will be online as soon as they are finalized.

Napster has been in the news quite a bit this past week. First the service goes offline to upgrade the server software and never comes back online. Then the courts say that the service must stay offline until it can promise to block 100% of the copyrighted songs. The very next day, they settle the lawsuit with Metallica and Dr. Dre.

According to Radio Undercover, New Order will be putting a live version of the Joy Division classic, "Atmosphere", on their upcoming single, "Crystal". Recently New Order have added "Heart and Soul" and "Love Will Tear Us Apart" to their live show. You can see them at the Area One Festival this summer.

There is a new b-side streaming from the official Bjork site. "Verandi" will be release August 6th on the upcoming single "Hidden Place". This is the first single from her new album, "Vespertine", which you can buy on August 23rd.

Billboard has a story about how the next Super Furry Animals will be release on both CD and DVD. "Rings Around the World" is scheduled for July 23 and the DVD version will include six extra songs plus a short film for each of the eighteen tracks. They are currently looking for a US label to release the album.

RollingStone has a story about Paul Oakenfold remixing the theme for the upcoming remake of Planet of the Apes. He's been getting loads of offers after scoring the John Travolta film, Swordfish, but they are going to have to wait until after the summer. Oakenfold will be DJ'ing select dates on the Mekka tour and the Area One festival with Moby and New Order.

Idlewild's guitarist, Rod Jones, won't be able to complete the upcoming US tour according to their official site. His condition is not serious, he just needs time to recover.

Mercury Rev's set to release their fifth studio album, "All Is Dream" on August 27th. They will be previewing their new material in European shows throughout the summer, a US tour is expected to follow the release.

RollingStone has an article about a Kinks cover album and it's got a pretty decent lineup. The record is scheduled for an August release and features Queens of the Stone Age, Yo La Tengo, Damon Albarn, Matthew Sweet, Foutains of Wayne, Lambchop and more. Click on Read More for the full tracklisting. Jonathan Richman - Stop Your Sobbing
Queens of the Stone Age - Who'll Be the Next in Line
Fastball - Till the End of the Day