Lloyd Cole has reissued Rattlesnakes in a deluxe format. He also has put out a box set Cleaning Out the Ashtrays, which collects b-sides, outtakes and rare tracks from 1989-2006. Cole is also touring next year.
The Pet Shop Boys have released their cover of Madness’ “My Girl” as well as a mashup of Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” on their Christmas EP.
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Danish noise spazters Oh No Ono have signed to Friendly Fire records. “Helplessly Young” is the first single from their forthcoming Eggs.
Yeasayer are releasing their highly anticipated new record, Odd Blood, early in the New Year.
After twenty-five years of Scandinavian craziness, a-ha has called it a day.
The Rakes have called it a day as well. Their final album Klang is out now.
Cazals have also split. However they are leaving a newish record, Life Is Boring.
John Frusciante has left The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Josh Klinghoffer who has toured with the band in the past is replacing him. In other RHCP news Flea will appear on the new Bryan Ferry record along with Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead.
Bryan Ferry has teamed up with DJ Hell for a new single called “U Can Dance.” Direct link for the feedreaders.
A band to watch for the New Year may be Woodhands. They are releasing Remosecapade in March on Paper Bag Records.
Iceland’s Steed Lord is releasing their new record Truth Serum this fall.
Another Icelandic artist, Jonsi is the solo project of Jon Thor Birgisson of Sigur Ros. The forthcoming Go is produced by Peter Katis who has worked with The National and Interpol.
One of the reasons why San Diego stays classy is The Soft Pack who will release their highly touted self titled debut domestically on Komodo Records this February featuring the first single, “C’ Mon.” Direct link for the feedreaders.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club has gone out on their own with Beat the Devil’s Tattoo, which drops in March via their own label. BRMC will head out on the road this winter.
Editors will tour the US this February in support of their new album, In This Light & On This Evening.
Air will tour the USA this March in support of their recent album, Love 2.
M. Ward & Zooey Deschanel are prepping a new She & Him record (Volume 2) for next March. They have recorded a cover of “Ridin’ In My Car” by NRBQ.
Juliana Hatfield is releasing her 11th solo album Peace & Love early next year.
Sonic Youth will begin work on a new record early next year.
Animal Collective has released a new EP entitled Fall Be Kind. The band is also reissuing Campfire Songs early in 2010.
Peter Gabriel is releasing Scratch My Back, an album of covers by The Kinks, Lou Reed, Radiohead, Arcade Fire and more.
Chan Marshall is recording a new Cat Power record without her backing band.
David Lovering and Joey Santiago of Pixies have formed a new band, The Everybody.
Tim Footman has written Hallelujah, a book about Leonard Cohen. In the meantime Cohen is working on a new album for release in 2010.
Weird Al Yankovic is writing a children’s book. Look for When I Grow Up in 2011.
Terry Teachout has penned Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong, which may in time be viewed as the definitive biography of Louis Armstrong.
Another terrific book is Jason Bitner’s Cassette From My Ex: Stories & Soundtracks of Lost Love. The book is not only a homage to the mix tape but a pretty accurate accounting of the detail, and exhilaration involved in making and getting the perfect mixtape.
When Italians aren’t throwing punches at their head of state they are getting down with N.A.M.B. The Turin quartet’s epic BMAN is finally coming out in the US this February.
You Say Party! We Say Die! is supporting the release of their 3rd record XXXX with a short US tour.
Interscope records have dropped Marilyn Manson.
Luke Haines of The Auteurs and Black Box Recorder is back with a new album, 21st Century Man.
Richard Ayoade of The IT Crowd directs the video for The Arctic Monkeys‘ new single, “Cornerstone.” Direct link for the feedreaders.
Portishead released a one off single, “Chase the Tear,” for International Human Rights Day. They have collaborated with Amnesty International for the track which is available through their website, http://www.portishead.co.uk. Direct link for the feedreaders.
The Primitives have reformed for a UK tour. One US date is planned with others a strong possibility.
Six Finger Satellite has reformed and released a new album, A Good Year For Hardness.
John Lydon has reformed Public Image Limited. Their 2nd album, Metal Box, has also been reissued.
We Were Promised Jetpacks will make their debut live tour of the US in February and March.
Paul Haig, formerly of Josef K, has released his tenth studio album, Relive.
If you are looking for some interesting hip-hop then check out Scripts N’ Screws, a duo from East St. Louis, Illinois. Their debut, The New Noise, is relentless.
RZA is celebrating two decades in music with a secretive art project entitled Victory or Death.
That stupid new iPod Nano commercial is getting on my last nerve.
I leave you with a nugget that shows the world is really ending. Spandau Ballet is all set to become the first band to ever perform in outer space. They will perform on Virgin Galactic’s Enterprise. It is interesting that with all of the mega rock personalities alive the best humanity can do to represent itself sonically in space is Spandau Ballet. I bet Jet Screamer is pissed.
I will end the column with this: there were some pretty great records this year and hopefully the coming year will see a lot more. ‘Nuff said!
