Excellent Online

There's a nice summary of the RIAA's struggle against technology. My favorite quote: "The loser in this equation is, of course, the customer, as the pre-Internet status quo of high-priced CDs and generic radio playlists is simply replicated for the digital age."

As GORILLAZ have inked a multi-album deal with Virgin Records America, the band's debut album was to be released in the U.S. in early April. However, due to the theft of the American master tapes from the band's private Winnebago, the album is on hold until further notice.

Gorillaz leader and bassist Murdoc regretfully housed the U.S. masters in his personal Winnebago for safekeeping. Included with the masters were two bonus tracks which will appear on the American debut: internationally unreleased track "Left Hand Suzuki Man" and rare UK B-Side "Dracula."

Allstar is reporting that BT (realname Brian Trouseau) just finished producing a track for the upcoming 'NSync record. I'm done with BT.

Michael Stipe announces that he is gay in a Time Magazine article. Previously, questions about his sex life were always off-limits, but now Stipe admits to an ongoing three-year relationship with 'an amazing man'.

It has been a day since this story broke and I still believe it's just hype for their new album, Reveal. What do you think?

It was reported that Trent Reznor and Flood would be co-producing the new

Worldpop reported that the Chemical Brothers have distributed a taste of their new music to select DJs. Sasha, John Digweed and Fatboy Slim have copies of the record, so you might hear it in the coming weeks. I heard Hey Boy, Hey Girl months before it was released on Surrender during a Fatboy Slim show.

One day into the OASIS/BLACK CROWES tour, and there's already problems. Oasis drummer Alan White is suffering from muscular problems in his hands, forcing him to miss some dates on the band's tour. His fill-in replacement is none other than his brother Steve (who routinely drums for Paul Weller.) NME is reporting that Steve is on the road with the band and ready to fill in whenever Alan's hands are in too much pain to play.

According to a post on the band's official website, bassist Bryan Poole (aka Bryan Helium, aka the late b.p. helium) has quit ELFPOWER. Helium has said the split was amicable, but he "just wasn't happy." The announcement on the band's website (written by Helium himself) indicates that Helium will continue to work on a solo record, while immediate plans include a stint playing bass with GREAT LAKES on their forthcoming European tour. Helium is also a former member of OF MONTREAL.

This one's been in the rumor mill for about six months now, but we can officially confirm today that DURAN DURAN are reuniting with ALL original members for a new album and possible tour. Simon, Nick, John, Andy, & Roger (didn't he quit to be a FARMER?) are back - hide your make-up kits!

Our flags are flying at half-mast today, as DOUGLAS ADAMS has unexpectedly died of a heart attack. The 49 year old author was in Los Angeles at the time. It was Adams' books, the famed "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series, that got a good many of us into British culture in the first place. We feel like we've truly lost one of the family today.