2020 The Albums: Top 10

 

via GIPHY

What a long strange year this has been but in trying to find a silver lining in it all, the music has been amazing. Some of the best records from artists old and new arrived making it so hard to come up with not just 10 albums for this list but editing down and selecting our Honorable Mentions. We hope these albums are not just a reflection of the era in which they were born but something to carry you over if you missed anything this year because there was just oh so much to miss and overlook. 

2020 League of Their Own Album Pick 

Here are our picks for the 10 best albums of the year:

2020 Honorable Album Mentions 

10) Dreamwife - So When You Gonna
9) Nation of Language - Introduction, Presence
8) Richard Russell - Friday Forever
7) Jay Electronica - A Written Testimony
6) Algiers - There is No Year
5) Greg Dulli - Random Desire
4) Thundercat - It Is What It Is
3) Bruce Springsteen - Letter to You
2) Fontaines DC - A Hero's Death
1) Run the Jewels - RTJ 4

Now, in long form:

 10) Dreamwife - So When You Gonna

 An exciting sophomore from a London garage trio that simply do not hold back or care less what you think of them. A thrashing and frolicking good album from star to finish that makes recalls the glory days of early 2000s garage rock but brings more substance than most new releases from bands from that era. A record that makes us miss live shows even more during lockdown because So When You Gonna sounds like it could seriously own on stage. 

9) Nation of Language - Introduction, Presence

The debut album from this Brooklyn trio is perfect. Simply put. Take everything you love about 1980s new and dark wave and give it a modern spin. As they work with Fab from The Strokes and Nick of Static Jacks, garage rock drummers known to pound this kits, gives them a whole new genre and space to play in as Introduction, Presence, is new for all listening. It feels familiar but is different, which is the best recipe for albums. 

8) Richard Russell - Friday Forever

The sequel to his brilliant and League of Their Own winning, Everything is Recorded, the XL Records owner comes back with a new solo record that has a whole different concept to it. Friday Forever is a concept record made to listen to at certain times of the night as you enter the weekend after a long night of work. Friday Forever is meant to be listened to if you work in a big city and instead of going home, you go out and starting the weekend off right by not rushing to be anywhere and letting it take you somewhere you didn't plan. With guest appearances from Ghostface Killah, A.K. Paul, Infinite Coles, among others, the album becomes more special the more you listen unlocking new levels and layers of sound. 

 7) Jay Electronica - A Written Testimony

The long-awaited debut from one of hip-hops biggest enigmas didn't disappoint. Jay Electronica's debut was finished as the pandemic was getting started allegedly after Jay-Z, who is prominently featured on the album, encouraged and pushed his close friend and mentor to finally get it done and release it. Jay-Z isn't the only guest as James Blake, Travis Scott, and various production from  Swizz Beatz, Hit-Boy, The Alchemist, No I.D. bring the record to life.  

6) Algiers - There is No Year

 Rock and soul are always a good combination but when they join forces to discuss impending doom, the end of the world, and time stopping, no one could have predicted that weeks after the release of There is No Year that Algiers predicted some of the future. This album is like going to Sunday church but with the best band leading the chorus as rock and soul mix with gospel and punk to bring us one of the most interesting and powerful albums of the year. 

5) Greg Dulli - Random Desire

The Afghan Whigs frontman released his second solo album and first since the band reformed in 2012 and like everything else he has done in his career, Dulli shows just how great he is at songwriting, arraigning and evoking emotions you were not expecting to feel while listening to a rock and roll record. A powerful album filled with the things that have guided him his whole career -- passion, soul, and fury. 

4) Thundercat - It is What It Is

Nobody makes albums like Thundercat and that is probably because there is no one like Thundercat. The California bassist and producer returned with his latest acid jazz / doom pop record that is filled with irreverent and comical lyrics but also epic party anthems and in a year where we could not celebrate together, here was an album that made you want to have a dance party in your own home. 

3) Bruce Springsteen - Letter to You

At 71 years old and nearly 20 albums under his belt, what more could Bruce Springsteen have to say? Turns out, a lot. Letter To You is his best album since 2002's The Rising, which was his landmark comeback record with the E-Street Band following 9/11, so that means that endorsement doesn't come lightly. Letter to You is a rip roaring rock and roll record made in just a week during the height of the pandemic and hears the iconic songwriter coming to face his own mortality and the mortality of his band as well as the legacy he hopes to leave behind. The burning fire and desire in Springsteen's heart still burns and we thank him for it. 

2) Fontaines D.C. - A Hero's Death

The best new band of 2019 who had last year's album of the year return with a sophomore LP just as epic as their debut. A Hero's Death is a record that feels familiar but is different in scope and sound from one of the world's finest new artists. This record, unlike Dogrel, is bigger in production and sonics which is expected for a second record but not like this. Fontaines D.C. are more than just a rock band from Ireland, they are the rock band of our era and music like another pack from Dublin which formed 40 years ago, could be the voice of this generation as this record helps make the case. 

 1) Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels 4

Much of America and the world woke up to the Black Lives Matter movement as they sat home to finally pay attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. As unemployment shot through the roof, a financial crisis that was supposed to happen once in a generation in 2008 happened again this year. There was much to be afraid of and much to understand and learn and take action to change. In all of that was the rally cry and anthems provided by Run the Jewels on their spectacular fourth album proving that they are the most important music artists of this generation. RTJ4 is as powerful as one would expect in size, sound, sonic, style and substance. Some of these songs were written between Run the Jewels 3 release in 2016 and present day but feel like they were written just days before the records release. As Killer Mike and El-P take headlines and history lessons from the past and prove we have not learned anything and the time to educate is long overdue but needed. They are giving today's audience what their friend Zach de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine did to his audience in the 90's, and informing with a powerful rhythm and an in-your-face lesson you cannot avoid. Featuring guests like 2 Chainz, de la Rocha, Pharrell, Mavis Staples, Greg Nice, DJ Premier, and among others, RTJ 4 is 2020 in 39 minutes. A time capsule for future generations and a new form of punk rock for the current one.

Recommended Reading: 'Born to Run'

Most autobiographies feel like a cradle to almost the grave stories of how certain people came to become who they are. Others are about a period in their lives. Then there are the rare ones like Keith Richards' Life, Johnny Cash's Cash, and Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run, which all of them feel as if the author is sitting in your living room telling you their life story in such a way that you can't stop listening. Released in 2016, Born to Run instantly became a best seller and The Boss got candid about how he grew up, how formed the E-Street Band and kept their relationship going as long as they have, as well as his love life as well as the hopes and fears he still has at 68.

Springsteen, like the stories in his music, also chronicles the fine line of the American dream and the reality of America through his experience. Springsteen isn't just one of America's greatest voices, he remains one of our greatest storytellers and Born to Run is a testament to that. It is an enormous collection of stories, memories, and insight that by the end of it will leave you in tears thinking you and The Boss are close friends by the time you close the book.

Quick News

What has been the biggest rumor in New York City all summer has finally been confirmed as Bruce Springsteen will perform for eight weeks on Broadway. The Boss will not be starring a musical but will be doing solo acoustic performances from October through November.

Chris Cornell's widow, Vicky, has announced that she and the city of Seattle will erect a statue in the memory of the late Soundgarden frontman who passed earlier this year. She said that the statue will be done by Wayne Toth and will take about seven months to create. “He is Seattle’s son,” she said to the Seattle Times.  “We will be bringing him home and honoring him, I hope, with all of you, your love and support.”

A prehistoric crocodile has been renamed in honor of late Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister. The creature known before as S"teneosaurus obtusidens," will now be known as "Lemmysuchus obtusiden," according to London's Natural History Museum.

The Afghan Whigs' first albums, Up In It, Congregation and the Uptown Avondale EP - will be released on 180-gram vinyl on September 8th via the Sub Pop Megamart for a series of reissues. Each vinyl disc will be colored and will come as a gatefold.

Kendrick Lamar is on the cover of the latest issue of Rolling Stone and opened up about his music, life, and live shows. In the interview, he also touched upon the friendship he struck up with U2's Bono.  He explained how U2 ended up on "XXX" off DAMN., saying: "We had a [different] record we were supposed to be doing together. He sent it over, I laid some ideas to it, and we didn't know where it was going. I just happened to have an album coming out, so I just asked him, like, "Yo, would you do me this honor of letting me use this record, use this idea that I want to put together because I'm hearing a certain type of 808, a certain drum to it." And he was open to it." He added: "There's a lot of great records and great features that the world probably will never hear, because it just didn't feel right, no matter how big the name was on it. But Bono has so much wisdom and so much knowledge, in music and in life. Sitting on the phone with him, I could talk to him for hours. The things he's doing around the world, of just helping people, is inspiring."

U2 on 'Kimmel'

U2 were the only guests on a special Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tuesday night and the iconic Irish band performed "I Still Haven't Found What I Am Looking For" as well as their new song, "The Little Things that Give You Away."

Listen to Our Essential U2 Playlist on Spotify!

The band also sat down for a full interview where they discussed the 30th anniversary of The Joshua Tree, the possibility of their new album coming soon, advice they got from Springsteen, their thoughts on Donald Trump, and the terror attack in Manchester, England.

Take a look!

What's Coming in 2017?

via GIPHY

The new year is here and with it comes new music. 

Run the Jewels, who were supposed to dominate January, surprise released their RTJ3 record causing nearly everyone to change their Top 10 lists, thanks guys. That being said, their is other fresh music on the horizon. 

Take a look at what is projected to arrive in 2017: 

January

Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes – Modern Ruin

Austra – Future Politics

Cloud Nothings – Life Without Sound

Steel Panther – Lower the Bar

AFI – AFI (The Blood Album)

Japandroids – Near to the Wild Heart of Life

Foxygen – Hang

Bonobo – Migration

Bash & Pop – Anything Could Happen

The xx – I See You

Major Lazer – Music is the Weapon

Sepultura –  Machine Messiah 

February

The Mezingers – After the Party

Marilyn Manson – Say10

Tinariwen – Elwan

Surfer Blood – Snowdonia

Los Campesinos! – Sick Scenes

Power Trip – Nightmare Logic

Save Ferris – New Sound EP

Elbow – Little Fictions

Thievery Corporation – The Temple of I & I

Ryan Adams – Prisoner

Big Sean – I Decided

Lupe Fiasco – DROGAS Light

March

Nelly Furtado – Ride 

Tennis – Yours Conditionally

The Magnetic Fields – 50 Song Memoir

Craig Finn – We All Want The Same Things

Other Artists Expected to be Releasing Albums in 2017

Depeche Mode – Spirit

U2 – Songs of Experience

Living Colour – Shade

Paloma Faith – The Architect

The Shins – I Gleek on Your Grave

GZA – Dark Matter

Glassjaw

Brand New

Erik B & Rakim

Liam Gallagher

Gorillaz

Spiritualized

The National

Arcade Fire

Tears for Fears

Danzig

The Roots

The Black Kids

Stone Roses

Afghan Whigs

Nas

Jay Z

Phife Dawg

Justin Timberlake

The Lemon Twigs

Wu-Tang Clan

Ride

Portugal. The Man

Leon Else

Dej Loaf

Pete Rock & CL Smooth

Lady Leshurr

Joey Bada$$

The Jesus and Mary Chain

At the Drive-In

Bjork

Ed O'Brein

Pearl Jam

Modest Mouse

Broken Social Scene

Schoolboy Q

Chic

Phoenix

Grizzly Bear

Neutral Milk Hotel

LCD Soundsystem

Fleet Foxes

Mastodon

Spoon

St. Vincent

Slowdive

Lana Del Rey

Queens of the Stone Age

Foo Fighters

Quasimoto

Bruce Springsteen

Slonk Donkerson

Beck

Haim

Syd

Internal Bleeding

20 Best Gigs of 2016

via GIPHY

As 2016 winds down, we look back at the year in live performances and the best we attended in the last 12 months. 

From large stadiums to indoor arenas to the intimate venues were the future of music flexed serious muscle -- here are our picks for the 20 best gigs of 2016.

1. Tuelo & Her Cousins at Rockwood Music Hall

2. Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band at Barclays Center

3. The Cure at Madison Square Garden

4. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds at Beacon Theater

5. The Hold Steady at Brooklyn Bowl

6. Black Sabbath at Madison Square Garden

7. Greg Dulli at Roulette

8. Kamasi Washington at Central Park Summer Stage

9. Lady Lesherr at Gramercy Theater

10. Pig Destroyer at Music Hall of Williamsburg

11. Savages at Irving Plaza

12. Iron Maiden at Madison Square Garden

13. Eagles of Death Metal at Warsaw

14. The Stone Roses at Madison Square Garden

15. Guns N Roses at Metlife Stadium

16. Wolves in the Throne Room at The Marlin Room of Webster Hall

17. AC/DC with Axl Rose at Madison Square Garden

18. The Lemon Twigs at Rock and Roll Hotel

19. Bear Vs. Shark at Bowery Ballroom

20. Temple of the Dog at Madison Square Garden

Quick News

via GIPHY


Leonard Cohen's manager Robert B. Kory released a statement to The New York Times Wednesday announcing the cause of death and date of the iconic poet and singer's death. He said: "Leonard Cohen died during his sleep following a fall in the middle of the night on Nov. 7. The death was sudden, unexpected and peaceful.”

After years of teasing, The Jesus and Mary Chain are releasing an album in March according to sources close to the band. No further information has been given at the time but it will mark their first record in 18 years.

Liam Gallagher, who is releasing his solo debut next year, spoke to the Daily Star and said that he hates writing his own songs. He said he "can't be arsed" to write the material, leaving many to believe he had collaborators on the forthcoming solo disc. He said: "Noel was the songwriter of the band and I was the singer. I didn’t wanna be a songwriter. We can’t even fucking speak together; imagine writing a fucking song together. I’m quite happy being the fucking cool bastard. I’m not arsed about writing songs – you do it because you have to."

Bruce Springsteen along with Tom Hanks, Lorne Michaels, Robert De Niro, Diana Ross and Kareem Abdul-Jabaar will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama next month. The award is based on the philanthropy the subjects have done.

Springsteen In Conversation With Colbert

Bruce Springsteen appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Friday to discuss his autobiography, Chapter & Verse. The two talked about a range of topics including his long concerts, his influence of The Beatles and Elvis, being raised a Catholic and his 5 favorite songs of his.

Quick News

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Bruce Springsteen said he plans on releasing an E-Street Band-less album in 2017.  He said: "It's a solo record, more of a singer-songwriter kind of record. Pop records with a lot of strings and instrumentation. So the record is somewhat in that vein."

Following their historic reunion at Riot Fest, Misfits' Jerry Only spoke to Rolling Stone about the possibility of new music with the classic line-up. He said: "I want it to continue. I know Doyle wants it to continue. I know Glenn wants it to continue. We just have to be big enough people to make it continue. And that's where we're at. Whatever it takes. We're going into our 40th anniversary so the timing couldn't be more perfect. Eventually, Doyle's got to write a new album; I've got to write a new album; Glenn's got to write a new album. Why don't we work together and make the greatest album ever? Now we've got different elements. We've got Doyle playing more of a metal kind of thing. We've got Dave who we're trying to figure out what the fuck he's doing. And Glenn's got his own thing. And Acey [Slade, second guitar] fills in good too. And I've got the band where it is today. So it's a matter of remolding and using all the different elements that I've got." The bassist added: "I think it's got to evolve naturally. The thing is we've tried to plan things and then we stand there and wait and as it comes we'll just do it. When we go back – I don't know about Glenn – but I canceled our touring and everything for this so I'm going to go home and write and lift."

Kid Cudi took to Twitter to announce that he is releasing a double album at some point this month. He wrote:

Hey! So im workin on a date for a release this month. Available on ALL PLATFORMS for streaming and download, physicals shortly after 🤘🏾🌹

— The Chosen One (@KidCudi) September 5, 2016

You will have this album this month in your hearts and your hands. New chapter, new energy, new levels.

— The Chosen One (@KidCudi) September 5, 2016

At 18 tracks deep, the album is well over an 1hr 30mins long, so the physical will be a double disc set.

— The Chosen One (@KidCudi) September 5, 2016

The Weeknd has said that his forthcoming album will be influenced by The Smiths, Prince, Bad Brains, Talking Heads and DeBarge. Speaking to VMAN he said: "The production feels aggressive but still sexy. The Smiths, Bad Brains, Talking Heads, Prince, and DeBarge play roles. We wrote it all in Los Angeles. I think it’ll be the best-sounding album I’ve ever done. It’s hard to label the sound because, when I first came out, nobody would label it R&B. I just want to keep pushing the envelope without it feeling forced.” No word as to when it will be released.

During an AMA on The Guardian's website, Fatboy Slim aka Norman Cook, was asked if The Housemartins would ever reunite. He said: "We agreed when we split up, in Bloom's Hotel, Dublin, 1988, that we would never reform. Five years ago we all had lunch together and reiterated that fact, with the caveat that we would only consider reforming if the Smiths reformed, which will only happen when the royal family abdicates."

Jimmy Eat World have been slowly letting out info about their new album, Integrity Blues, which arrives next month. The Arizona band have now released the cover of the record, take a look:

Quick News

Sting will release his new album, 57th & 9th, in October.

Pink Floyd will release their massive 27-disc box set, The Early Years 1965 – 1972, in November. It will contain unreleased outtakes and demos, TV appearances, seven hours of concert recordings, concert films, interviews and three feature film documentaries on the iconic band. It will also contain 20 unreleased songs that have never been heard by the public.

Speaking to NME, Paul Banks of Interpol and RZA of Wu-Tang discussed their collab Banks & Steelz which arrives later this year. On the record, the unlikely duo team up with Florence Welch and Banks talked about how that appearance happened. Interpol was on tour last year and our final show was in Ireland," he said. "And as I got off stage, she approached me… and she was super-sweet and friendly. So we talked and exchanged information, and then I kind of circled back to her." He added that working with her for Banks & Steelz "went smoothly" and she "fucking killed it" on the track she appears on.

Dillinger Escape Plan will release their new album, Dissociation, in October.

Along with his autobiography, Bruce Springsteen will release a companion album, Chapter & Verse, in September. The record will feature 18 songs that correspond with the book. Take a look at the cover, below:

Bono Joins Springsteen in Dublin

During a concert in Dublin, Ireland's Croke Park on Sunday, U2's Bono joined Bruce Springsteen for "Because the Night." Take a look!

Live Review: Bruce Springsteen @ Barclays Center

Every concert Bruce Springsteen puts on is a special occasion. It is one of the reasons why he is The Boss. However, on Saturday night inside Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, he even outdid himself. He showed that age was not a factor for his tour-de-force three-and-a-half hour performance that will go down in the history books for Bruce fans.

As the stark stage was painted from the rays of purple lights, Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band came out on stage to thunderous applause. Without any introduction, opening act or greeting, they took their places and broke out into a very special version of Prince’s “Purple Rain.” It was their first concert since the passing of Prince on Thursday.  It was also the first time the band has ever covered the song live.

As the song ended and the lights slowly began to shift colors, each member of the band, including Springsteen, was wearing a purple item in tribute to the late singer.

'SNL' Pays Tribute to Prince

It was then into business as usual for the group. The current tour, which began in January, is celebrating the 35^th anniversary of his landmark album, The River. Saturday night’s gig was the second to last on his four-month trek across North America. The tour will end on Monday in Brooklyn before they head to Europe for the summer.

After performing “Meet Me in the City,” in front of the sold-out crowd that included famous faces like Stephen Colbert, Katie Couric, Ralph Macchio, and The Boss’ biggest fan – his mom, Springsteen talked about what The River is and what it meant to him.

“It was my coming of age record,” he said. “It was me trying to fit in.”

He said the record was about him reflecting on wanting to be a man and become a father, husband and a profession that paid. Yet, being a rockstar it proved to be a dilemma, however, he knew many of the characters that he wrote about who influenced the record and the shift we all go through from leaving our 20s to our 30s and facing reality that it is time to grow up.   

The River is as complex as it is long.  He addressed that “I tried finding things to make it about life but also an E-Street record.”

As his diatribe came to an end, he dedicated the night’s show to Prince, calling the musician “one of the greatest performers I have ever seen… Every time I saw him, he left me humbled.”

Read Our Tribute to Prince: Remembering The Purple One

Once the speech concluded, he took us to The River.

Playing the record from front to back, he made the songs come alive and show cased why the anniversary of this record is so important and why this album is still so poignant.

Almost 90-minutes later, the journey through The River was complete. Playing a record from front to back is a complicated task for any artist, but to do it for an album that long can be a monster. However, for this well-oiled machine, it was another day in the office. 

Anyone who has laid eyes on E-Street since the start knows what they can do -- Nils Lofgren’s brilliant guitar work, Little Steven Van Zandt’s outfit and showmanship that was backed by the impeccable rhythm section of Max Weinberg on drums and Gary Tallent on bass, the band cooked. As Roy “The Professor” Bittan tickled the ivories and Charles Giordano made his presence heard from his organ and Soozie Tyrell’s unique voice and violin work added to the flair the men’s club. While Jake Clemons, nephew to the late Clarence, is the youngest member of the band, he shows he can keep up with the elder statesmen and women of rock and roll.  Noticeably absent was Springsteen’s wife, Patti Scialfa, no word as to what caused her to miss the show, but it went on.

Following the lengthy trip down The River, it was time for Springsteen and the heart-stopping, pants-dropping, house-rocking, earth-quaking, booty-shaking, Viagra-taking, love-making – Le-gen-dary E – Street – Band to give the crowd some hits.

Barnstorming from the record to an epic performance of “Bandlands,” “No Surrender,” “The Promised Land,” “Backstreets,” “Because the Night” and new classics like “Lonesome Day” and “The Rising,” Springsteen entered the crowd, touched hands, blew kisses and refused to stop.

After a moving version of “Thunder Road,” many expected them to retreat to the wings and catch their breath. Instead they kept on truckin.’ They deserved the break but pushed on. The 66-year-old singer tired out a crowd that was half his age.

As the houselights came on, “Born to Run” blared through the speakers and the party did not stop as “Dancing in the Dark,” “Rosalita,” “10^th Ave. Freeze Out” and “Shout” closed the night.

Seeing this performance is awe-inspiring. If you looked around you saw generations of fans – fathers and sons, grandmothers and granddaughters, groups of friends from every age group gathering together under one roof to see a hero that proved age is just a number. 

Quick News

This sounds like a Hell of an idea -- while speaking with Noisey, Richard Ashcroft said he would like to make a musical featuring the music of Oasis and his band, The Verve. Ashcroft said: "I'd like to do a musical of [Verve] songs combined [with Oasis songs] in a story of both our youths and the combination at the end and the fact that we have crossed paths, been mates [and] looked after each other."

Iconic hip-hop group Digable Planets have announced they are reuniting for a series of concerts this summer. 

Following Springsteen and Ringo Starr, Pearl Jam are 86ing their upcoming North Carolina tour stop. In a statement they posted on social media, the band said: 

It's with deep consideration & much regret that we must cancel the Raleigh, NC show on 4/20: https://t.co/Z7I65UJmhP pic.twitter.com/P89wysiNFe

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) April 18, 2016

AC/DC's Brian Johnson released a statement on Tuesday afternoon to announce that while he will no longer be able to tour with his band, he will still record with them due to doctors saying he could permanently lose his hearing should he continue to perform on stage.  He wrote: "Our fans deserve my performance to be at the highest level, and if for any reason I can't deliver that level of performance I will not disappoint our fans or embarrass the other members of AC/DC. I am not a quitter and I like to finish what I start, nevertheless, the doctors made it clear to me and my bandmates that I had no choice but to stop performing on stage for the remaining shows and possibly beyond. That was the darkest day of my professional life."
Johnson, who will be replaced by Axl Rose on the road, said: "I am personally crushed by this development more than anyone could ever imagine. The emotional experience I feel now is worse than anything I have ever in my life felt before. Being part of AC/DC, making records and performing for the millions of devoted fans this past 36 years has been my life's work. I cannot imagine going forward without being part of that, but for now I have no choice. The one thing for certain is that I will always be with AC/DC at every show in spirit, if not in person."
He also added: "I wish to assure our fans that I am not retiring. My doctors have told me that I can continue to record in studios and I intend to do that. For the moment, my entire focus is to continue medical treatment to improve my hearing. I am hoping that in time my hearing will improve and allow me to return to live concert performances. While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic. Only time will tell."

Quick News

According to reports, Madonna has overtaken Bruce Springsteen as the most successful solo touring artist following the conclusion of her "Rebel Heart World Tour."

Biffy Clyro will release their new album, Ellipsis, in July.

Paul McCartney is set to follow Keith Richards and get aboard the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The icon is set to play a pirate in the upcoming fifth film in the series.

After weeks of rumors, Ian Brown has confirmed that The Stone Roses are working on new music. When approached by an NME producer and asked about upcoming releases, Brown said: "soon" and said it "was like a dream" to be working on new music and that it sounds "glorious."

Metallica, John Coltrane, Santana, George Carlin and Merle Haggard will all have albums preserved by the Library of Congress this year. Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich said in a statement: "Who would've ever thought that 'Master of Puppets', a record made by a band hovering way left of the mainstream in 1986, would be granted the honor of being added to the Registry of the Library of Congress?"

Dave Grohl took to social media on Wednesday to defend a teenage English band that allegedly got in trouble for playing too loud in a practice space in a small town. Grohl tweeted:

To learn more about @blackleavesofenvy and how you can help the Cornwall campaign to provide all young musicians with a communal practice space, please contact Mr. Plenty at scoobsplenty@hotmail.com To learn more about how to sound proof YOUR practice space, we've put together some info for you here: http://foofighters.com/soundproofing

A photo posted by Foo Fighters (@foofighters) on Mar 23, 2016 at 9:55am PDT

Now, the city of Cornwall, England, has responded to the claims. Saying in a statement: "The Council is legally required to investigate once it has received a complaint about noise. In this case we have received a number of complaints about the level of noise. We have not, however, told the band to stop playing or told them they must keep sound levels below 40 decibels. We have not prescribed a set noise level but have advised that the sound levels are currently too high. We have offered to work with them to look at ways of reducing the noise levels by suggesting they look at installing some sound proofing into the garage to address the problem or possibly compromise by looking at playing only at certain times. We have spoken to the owner of the property on three occasions so far and are arranging to visit them to try and identify a solution. We are certainly not trying to stop the band from practising but we have to take into consideration the views of all parties."

Quick News

Bon Iver's Justin Vernon says the band is no longer on hiatus and will be coming back. He told Billboard: "The last few years have given me a lot of perspective. It’s been valuable. But I’d rather be busy, and I’d rather be engaged. I learned a lot of lessons. I learned a lot about what this stuff can do to people and how it can change how people set their priorities. I’m not interested in having my priorities all screwed up."

Le Bataclan will reopen following the tragedy that occurred on November 13 when gunmen opened fire inside the French venue during an Eagles of Death Metal concert. The owners told The Guardian that they will “do our best to host events before the end of 2016."

Pete Doherty will release a new solo album this fall. It will be his first solo venture in seven years.

AFI's Davy Havok has teamed up with No Doubt’s Tom Dumont, Tony Kanal and Adrian Young and formed a supergroup. They don't have a name but do have a record. They plan on finding a label, Billboard reports, to put it out.

Bruce Springsteen will release his autobiography, Born to Run, in September. On his website, The Boss posted: “Writing about yourself is a funny business. But in a project like this, the writer has made one promise, to show the reader his mind. In these pages, I’ve tried to do this.” Take a look at the cover, below:

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According to a source close to David Bowie who spoke to Newsweek, The Thin White Duke planned "a long list of unscheduled music releases" before he passed. Archival material of Bowie shall also be released, the first of which shall arrive before year's end.

Kanye West took to Twitter to announce the tracklisting for his upcoming album, SWISH, which is due next month.

So happy to be finished with the best album of all time pic.twitter.com/JBWa8OWvqw

— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) January 25, 2016

Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band were set to perform at Madison Square Garden over the weekend, however, Winter Storm Jonas put a stop to that. The date will be made up but as a gift to fans, even those who didn't have a ticket, The Boss is offering a free download of a recent Chicago concert for the next couple days. Download the live performance HERE and see the album cover below:

Unearthed David Bowie Recording Hears Him Impersonate Springsteen, Tom Waits, Iggy Pop

An unearth recording of David Bowie impersonating Bruce Springsteen, Iggy Pop, Tom Waits, Neil Young, Lou Reed, among others.

Read: More David Bowie Tributes Pour In

The piece was recorded in 1985 when the Thin White Duke was making the theme to Julian Temple's musical Absolute Beginners inside London's Westside Studios. According to reports, Bowie took a break and started recording the impressions of his friends.

Watch 'SNL' Pay Tribute to Bowie

Following his death last week, the recording was uploaded for all the world to hear. Take a listen.

Bruce Springsteen Pays Tribute to Bowie on River Tour Opener

Saturday night in Pittsburgh, Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band opened their current tour and paid tribute to their late friend, David Bowie. Watch their performance of "Rebel Rebel" and hear Springsteen eulogize the late legend.

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Husker Du have launched their very first website and very first webstore furthering speculation that the band could reunite one day. Drummer Grant Hart told the Minneapolis Star Tribune: "The main thing is, there’s ongoing communication between the three of us now." The band, fronted by Bob Mould, split up at the end of the 80s.

This year's Barclay Card Mercury Prize nominees have been announced. The award, which is given out to the best British album of the year, will be handed out on November 20. Take a look at the nominees:
Aphex Twin - Syro
Wolf Alice - My Love Is Cool 
Róisín Murphy - Hairless Toys
C Duncan - Architect 
ESKA - ESKA 
Florence and the Machine - How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful 
Ghostpoet - Shedding Skin 
Benjamin Clementine - At Least for Now 
Jamie xx - In Colour 
SOAK - Before We Forgot How to Dream 
Gaz Coombes - Matador 
Slaves - Are You Satisfied?

M83 plan on reissuing their breakthrough album, 2008's Saturdays=Youth, and the records predecessor, Digital Shades, next month. The reissues will feature remixes, the remastered records, and B-sides.

M83 also plans on releasing a new album next year, according to reports.

Bruce Springsteen will release a massive box set from his 1908 album, The River, just in time for the holidays when it hits shelves next month. The 4CD / 3DVD set will feature the remastered record, B-sides, a live concert, as well as documentary on the making of the record, and a coffee table book.

During a Reddit AMA session, Blur's Graham Coxon says he is prepping a new solo album. He said: "Funnily enough I woke up today thinking about sound concepts, harmony, mood and rhythm. I might like to go expansive English, a bit like if England had a huge desert is the middle. That kinda sound." He also mentioned that he has another solo that he hasn't released and recorded it around the same time as his debut, A&E, in 2012. He said: "I have a solo album sitting on hold right now with no plans to release.. one day i would like to put it out though. It was recorded at the same time as 'A&E'. I just didn't want to release another solo album while there was a lot of Blur activity going on."

Bruce Springsteen on The Daily Show

Jon Stewart passed the torch to Trevor Noah as his tenure on The Daily Show ended. Before he closed out, the New Jersey native had Jersey's boss of bosses send him off -- Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band performed "Land of Hope and Dreams" and "Born to Run."