JACKSON FIVE TO REUNITE. WELL, MAKE THAT FOUR
Jermaine Jackson has said that The Jackson Five are set to reunite with a new album and a world tour next year, but it seems that Michael Jackson disagrees on his involvement.

Jermaine told the Australian Associated Press this week: "This has been a long time coming for the Jackson family to get back together. It is just the timing, so what we've been doing is working on the music and all the logistics. It is going to be more like a family affair, Janet's going to open and, of course, the original Jackson 5... Michael, Randy and the whole family. We're in the studio, we're planning on being out there next year".

In response to this, Michael Jackson has released a statement saying he'll have no part in it. "My brothers and sisters have my full love and support," he says, "and we've certainly shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans to record or tour with them. I am now in the studio developing new and exciting projects that I look forward to sharing with my fans in concert soon".

So that's a bit confusing. But given their recent squabbles, it does seem strange that Jermaine would think his brother ready to reunite. He and his siblings have apparently claimed that Michael owed them $840,000 in unpaid royalties, plus, Jermaine, Tito, Marlon and Jackie accepted a lifetime achievement award at the BMI Urban Awards in LA in September without their more famous brother and were evidently displeased by Michael's failure to appear. Asked by reporters where he was, Marlon Jackson answered: "I don't know. I think he's in Egypt riding a camel or something".

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EMI AND WARNER SIGN UP TO NEW ALL YOU CAN EAT DOWNLOAD SERVICE
EMI and Warner have both signed up to a new all-you-can-eat download service which seemingly offers punters unlimited MP3 downloads for a year for £99.99. As the downloads are provided as DRM-free MP3s they can be transferred to any device, and can be kept after the subscription expires.

The new service is called the Datz Music Lounge, and is run by UK-based Datz.com. Although an online service, the Datz Music Lounge experience seemingly begins with a physical kit including a CD containing some bespoke software required to use the service, and a USB dongle that needs to be attached to your computer to be able to download. Or something like that. The kits are available via mail order but will also be sold on the high street via various retailers, including Sainsbury's.

As well as EMI and Warner, the Beggars Group and indie aggregators The Orchard are also on board, providing a pretty substantial catalogue of content for Datz downloaders to choose from. The exact deal between Datz and the record companies is not known, nor is it clear if there is any catch that stops the downloads being truly "unlimited" and/or "permanent", though the fact the tracks are provided in MP3 suggests not. Whether that means Datz has to take a hit if every single customer downloads a million tracks each we're not sure.

Commenting on his service, which formerly launched in London earlier this month, Datz MD Michael Richardson told CMU: "We wanted to find a safe and legal way for users to download music to keep. With literally thousands of artists and millions of tracks all in unlocked MP3 format, the Datz Music Lounge provides safe, carefree downloading for all music enthusiasts. Datz Music Lounge gives people a way to bolster their back catalogue, try new music and rediscover artists they love. All the music is theirs to keep forever and they can download anything they like for one year after they join Datz Music Lounge. Not only does Datz Music Lounge fundamentally change the way people can enjoy music, it also provides one of the greatest offers of all time".

Meanwhile, Matthew Crosswaite, SVP Sales & Commercial Development at EMI Music UK told us: "The Datz Music Lounge offering is a new and innovative way for consumers to gift digital music via high street retailers - just in time for the peak season. The product is subscription based and will be a valuable and insightful tool for understanding how consumers explore and react to EMI's deep and rich back catalogue".

The service is not currently Mac compatible, but Datz hope to provide a Mac version of their offer by early December.

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BEATLES GAME TO BE RELEASED
So, as expected, MTV Games are going to launch a Beatles based video game, though it won't, as thought, be simply a Fab Four version of their 'Guitar Hero' competing pretend-to-play 'Rock Band' franchise; rather MTV and developers Harmonix will collaborate on a brand new video game incorporating the Beatles catalogue. Though it does sound like it will be pretty similar to the 'Guitar Hero'/'Rock Band' format.

We know this because we received this official statement yesterday: "The Beatles' extraordinary music and phenomenal legacy is set to rock across the universe in the form of a video game through an exclusive partnership between Apple Corps Ltd, Harmonix and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks. This partnership marks the first time that Apple Corps, along with EMI Music, Harrisongs Ltd, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has agreed to present The Beatles music in an interactive video game format. Published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix, the world's premier music video game company and creators of the best-selling 'Rock Band', the game will be an unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles". Basically, I think that's trying to say what I said.

Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison will all have an input on the Beatles game, and it will be produced, on the music side, by Giles Martin, son of Fab Four producer George Martin, who co-produced the Beatles recent 'LOVE' album.

Confirming his support for the project, Paul McCartney said: "The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of The Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out".

Ringo, meanwhile, told reporters: "It gives me great pleasure to be part of The Beatles / Apple and Harmonix / Rock Band partnership. The Beatles continue to evolve with the passing of time and how wonderful that The Beatles' legacy will find its natural progression into the 21st century through the computerised world we live in. Let the games commence".

The Beatles game will be released sometime next year.

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ROSS SUSPENDED, DOUGLAS OUT, BAILLE HAPPY, GALLAGHER OUTRAGED
Yeah, this mole hill's become rather mountain like hasn't it, such is the power of the Daily Mail I suppose. Jonathan Ross was yesterday put on a 12 week unpaid suspension from the BBC for his role in the Sachs calls made on Russell Brand's Radio 2 show earlier this month, while the boss of the national station resigned, saying she had to take ultimate responsibility for the edition of the Brand show which saw the two presenters leave lewd messages on the answer phone of actor Andrew Sachs, centring on Brand's sexual relations with his granddaughter Georgina Baillie.

With the tabloids and political types still calling for heads to roll over the phone calls, despite Russell Brand quitting his Radio 2 show on Wednesday, station chief Lesley Douglas yesterday resigned, seemingly in a bid to bring quick closure to the executive fall out from the voicemail pranks. The knives were out for Radio 2 execs because they had decided to air the offending edition of the Brand show even though it had been pre-recorded and so did not have to be broadcast.

In her resignation letter, Douglas wrote: "The last week has been a painful one for the BBC and particularly for BBC Radio 2. The events of the last two weeks happened on my watch. I believe it is right that I take responsibility for what has happened. It is a matter of the greatest possible sadness to me that a programme on my network has been the cause of such a controversy. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my personal apology to Andrew Sachs and his family and to the audience for what has happened".

At more or less the same time BBC management issued a statement regarding Ross' status at the Beeb, which has always been controversial at the best of times due to his record breaking pay deal. They announced he would be suspended without pay for twelve weeks, meaning Ross won't appear on any BBC stations until the New year. The statement read: "The presenter Jonathan Ross will be suspended from all broadcasting for the BBC for a 12-week period, ending in mid-January 2009. He will not be paid by the BBC during this period: the fees that would have been paid will be deducted from his BBC contract".

BBC top man Mark Thompson, who arguably allowed this whole thing to get out of hand by not responding quicker once it was known the Mail was onto the story, added: "The ultimate editorial responsibility for BBC programmes lies with producers and editorial managers. The consequences of errors of judgement are therefore more serious for managers. Nonetheless, Jonathan Ross's contribution to this edition of the Russell Brand show was utterly unacceptable and cannot be allowed to go uncensured or without sanction. 12-week suspension is an exceptional step, but I believe it is a proportionate response to Jonathan's role in this unhappy affair".

As the BBC became a Brand/Ross free zone, BBC2 decided to skip an edition of 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks' which would have seen Brand appear as a guest team captain. With 'Buzzcocks' being recorded ten days ahead of schedule, there was another edition in the can to take its place.

Brand will continue to appear on Channel 4 and in the Guardian, however. It's unclear if the whole shebang will affect Ross's status as host of the British Comedy Awards, the presenter's one annual TV job outside of the BBC. ITV, who didn't screen the Awards last year for fear its host and winners would mock the company over its then recent dodgy phone charge scandal - which had involved a previous edition of the Comedy Awards - have said they will show the comedy industry's big night out again this year. Having Ross has host would probably be a ratings winner given the circumstances, though given past problems involving phones at the Comedy Award show, ITV might not want to risk another scandal.

Anyway, perhaps all this will be put to rest now, and new celebrity Baillie can get on with invading her own privacy on the pages of The Sun and Heat magazine. Oh, but before we rest it, what about some insightful comment from Brand's mate Noel Gallagher?

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Across The Line, Gallagher said: "Personally, I'm outraged that, yet again, the joyless fuckers who write the columns in the Daily Mail, The Telegraph or The Observer have dictated the tone and are telling people how to behave. I've seen the Daily Mail, they said that Russell should be arrested and charged. Arrested for what? For taking the piss? It's so typical of the English in general. 10,000 people get outraged, but only days after it has happened".

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NO SPECTOR TRIAL UPDATE, SORRY
You might be relieved to hear it, but we can't give you an update on Phil Spector's murder trial today. This is because the case was held up on its first day because a juror fell in the courthouse car park and broke his foot, and wanted, understandably, to get treatment for his injury and return on Monday.

Judge Larry Fidler was reluctant to use an alternate juror so early in the proceedings, and has decided to wait until the chap in question can return next week. The first scheduled witness, retired New York City police Detective Vincent Tannazzo, who was in court ready to testify before the accident occurred, has been ordered to return on Monday.

Spector, as much, much previously reported, denies shooting actress Lana Clarkson at his home in Los Angeles in 2003.

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CHINESE DEMOCRACY LEAKER HAS CHARGE DOWNGRADED
Kevin Cogill, the chap who, as previously reported, uploaded nine songs from long long long awaited Guns n Roses album 'Chinese Democracy' to his website, antiquiet.com, back in June, and is facing a criminal charge as a result, has had that charge downgraded from a felony to a misdemeanour. What that means is that the maximum jail term Cogill could face is one year, as opposed to five.

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GLASTONBURY WINS TOP GONG AT FESTIVAL AWARDS
Well, Glastonbury can officially put two fingers up at all those anti-Jay-Z naysayers after last night's UK Festival Awards, I think, because it won the big prize, Best Major Festival, as voted for by the festival going public. Adding to Glastonbury's achievements on the night were an Outstanding Contribution gong for festival honcho Michael Eavis, and the gong for Most Memorable Moment - the one where the aforementioned Jay-Z did a performance of Oasis track 'Wonderwall'.

Other winners on the night included T In The Park, who got Best Line-Up, Camp Bestival, who got Best New Festival, and The Ting Tings, who got three awards, for Festival Pop Act, Anthem Of The Summer, and Best Live Newcomer.

Here's the full list, so you can peruse it yourself:

Best Major Festival in Association with Icom: Glastonbury

Best Medium Sized Festival in Association with Ticketline: Lovebox Weekender

Best Small Festival: Secret Garden Party

Best Dance Festival: Glade Festival

Best Line-up: T In The Park

Best New Festival in Association with Jose Cuervo: Camp Bestival

Grass Roots Festival: Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival

Family Festival Award: Larmer Tree Festival

Best Toilets: The Big Chill

Best European Festival in Association with Yourope: Oxegen (Ireland)

Festival Headline Act in Association with Jagermeister: Kings Of Leon

Festival Rock Act in Association with Gibson: Biffy Clyro

Festival Dance Act: The Prodigy

Festival Pop Act: The Ting Tings

Festival Feel-Good Act in Association with Pimms: The Mighty Boosh

Festival Urban Act: Dizzee Rascal

Best Live Newcomer in Association with NME Radio: The Ting Tings

Anthem Of The Summer: The Ting Tings: 'That's Not My Name'

The Greener Festival Award in Association with AGF: Waveform

Innovation Award in Association with Weboptimiser Media: Standon Calling for hosting the UK's first festival underwater dance arena in a swimming pool.

Most Memorable Moment in Association with Gaymer Cider: Jay-Z mocking Noel Gallagher with his rendition of 'Wonderwall' at Glastonbury.

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MCGEE RETIRES FROM THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
Alan McGee has announced that he has retired from the music industry, having wound down his record label Poptones and hung up his manager hat. And how did he report this news? The same way everyone reports important news these days.

McGee told BBC 6music: "It was on my Facebook. My status said: 'Glad I'm not a manager any more, I really recommend it'".

He continued: "I stopped doing the record company about a year or two ago because I think they're pointless things, like dinosaurs or trams or something. I think I'm a man of the times, kind of like Tony Wilson really. We don't really have a place in the music industry anymore because we actually like music. I think the prerequisite for being in the music industry is not liking music and playing the corporate game, agreeing with your boss".

It's not clear whether or not McGee has retired from making pointless comments on the state of the music industry or not. I would guess not.

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JOE THE PLUMBER OFFERED RECORD DEAL
Joe The Plumber, who has become the poster boy for average Americans in the presidential campaign, since he challenged Barack Obama on his tax proposals, has apparently been offered a record deal by a major label.

The new manager of Joe The Plumber, whose real name is actually Sam Wurzelbacher, Della Croce told Politico: "He is a dynamic speaker and an everyman who has become an overnight celebrity. It's going to be our job to find Joe's strengths and give him some options. [He is] a long-time country music fan [who] knocks around on the guitar".

So am I. Can I have a record deal?

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AMERICAN IDOL SUES CONTESTANT OVER RECORD DEAL
American Idol bosses are threatening to take legal action against a former contestant, Josiah Leming, because he is planning to release an album, but not through the TV show's associate label, SonyBMG.

Leming, who was homeless when he entered the talent contest, made it through the audition process but not to the final 24 contestants who appear in the main show. However, all those who are selected to appear in the show sign a contract which only allows them to release music through SonyBMG. Leming's debut album is due to be released in January by Warner Music, which has prompted Idol chiefs to send him a letter threatening to sue if he goes ahead with the release.

A spokesperson for the singer told the New York Post: "Josiah was the only Idol contestant ever to get a record deal who didn't make the top 24, and one of only four contestants to get a deal this year. He has personal reasons for getting his music out, threat or not. His mother has terminal cancer, and nothing is going to stop him from getting his music out while she is alive to share it. His album on Warner Records will be released in late January 09".

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BJORK ON ICELAND'S FINANCES
Bjork has written an editorial for The Times about Iceland's current financial crisis, entitled 'After financial meltdown, now it's smeltdown'. In particular, she says she is concerned about the country's government's proposals to use their natural resources to clear their debts. The singer's recent single, 'Nattura' was released in aid of the charity of the same name, which is dedicated to the preservation of the Icelandic landscape.

She wrote: "Usually I don't notice politics. I live happily in the land of music-making. But I got caught up in it because politicians seem bent on ruining Iceland's natural environment. As the country's economic crisis continues, many people in power are attempting to get these factories built quickly, without any precautions taken to prevent pollution. They see the aluminium industry as the key to getting Iceland out of debt. Iceland is a small country. We missed out on an industrial revolution and my hope was that we would skip it completely and go straight to sustainable hi-tech options. If anyone could achieve this, we could. There is a wonderful characteristic in the Icelandic mentality - fearlessness, with an addiction to risk-taking to the point of being foolhardy. In music-making, storytelling and creative thought, this risk-taking is a great thing. And after my introduction to a lot of Iceland's small, growing companies, I realise how many of them have shown this fearless approach either in biotechnology or high technology".

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SINGLE REVIEW: VV Brown - Crying Blood (Island Records)
For a song that has a chorus spookily similar to 'Monster Mash', this little tune manages to charm the listener quite well. With the innocence of Jamie T and the energy of The Go! Team, VV Brown bounces her way around the track with a sweet delivery reminiscent of Pink's pre-'grungey' days but refreshingly short of the bitter aftertaste. This song is not going to win any awards for inventive songwriting or groundbreaking production, but then again that is part of its appeal; VV's enthusiasm for this simple but incredibly catchy tune really shines through. We could be seeing a lot more of this fresh-faced newbie if this song gets anywhere near as far into people's head as it certainly could. ME.
Release Date: 3 Nov
Press Contact: Hyperlaunch [all]

Buy from Amazon

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TAX REFUND ON X FACTOR SINGLE
Chancellor Alistair Darling has announced that he will refund tax on sales of The X Factor Finalists' single, 'Hero', which is being released in aid of Help for Heroes, which provides support for wounded servicemen and women, and the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal.

Darling told BBC News: "I support the efforts being made by the X Factor contestants. In recognition of that, I'm proposing effectively to waive the VAT on the sale of these singles".

The single, which went on sale this week, is selling fast and is expected to shift over 300,000 units by Sunday. HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said: "This is proving to be one of the biggest single releases for years, if not the decade. Only Leona Lewis's debut hit 'A Moment Like This', which sold over 500,000 copies in its first week, can compare. It's selling more than most Christmas number ones would, and HMV has placed an urgent order for more copies. 'Hero' has sold over 100,000 copies in its first two days alone, and the only thing that may hold back sales this week is whether the manufacturers can keep pace with the growing demand for the CD single, although the option to download is always there".

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BABYSHAMBLES MAN TO RELEASE XMAS SINGLE
I've been trying to avoid reporting on Christmas singles because I've been trying to avoid the fact that it might nearly be Christmas. Not that I don't like Christmas, but I do like to wait until at least November until I start talking about it. But now someone we actually like has announced they're going to have a crack at getting a Christmas number one, I guess it's okay to break that rule.

Anyway, yes, Babyshambles drummer Adam Ficek has revealed that he will release a Christmas single via the medium of his solo project, Roses Kings Castles. He will release 'Horses' as the download on 8 Dec and then on vinyl on 15 Dec. The single will feature sleigh bells.

Ficek says of the single: "It's about the many wintry things I dream about in the months running up to Christmas. Throw in some characters from my past, present and future and you're left with 'Horses', a tale of Jack Frostical proportions".

Just for the invention of the term "Jack Frostical" this single deserves to be Christmas number one. Buy it.

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PET SHOP BOYS RETURN
Pet Shop Boys are set to return with an as-yet-untitled new album, the follow-up to 2006's 'Fundamental', in March. Produced by the team that made Girls Aloud sound like they do, Xenomania, the album will feature guest appearances from Johnny Marr, Saint Etienne's Bob Stanley and Owen Pallet of Final Fantasy, Arcade Fire and Last Shadow Puppet string-arranging fame.

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ZACH CONDON ANNOUNCES NEW BEIRUT AND SOLO EPS
Zach Condon has announced that he will release two new EPs by Beirut and his recently resurrected earlier project Realpeople in February next year via his own Pompeii Records. The Obey Your Brain label will also handle the vinyl releases of the EPs.

Tracklists for the two EPs are as follows:

Beirut - March Of The Zapotec

El Zocalo
La Llorna
My Wife
The Akara
On a Bayonet
The Shrew

Realpeople - Holland

My Night With a Prostitute From Marseille
My Wife, Lost in the Wild
Venice
The Concubine
No Dice

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MASTODON REVEAL NEW ALBUM DETAILS
Metallers Mastodon have revealed details of their forthcoming fourth album, 'Crack In The Skye', which will run for 50 minutes and feature just seven songs. Although one of them, 'The Czar', is split into four parts. The album was produced by Brendan O'Brien and will be released early next year.

Here's the tracklist:

Oblivion
Divinations
Quintessence
The Czar
Ghost of Karelia
Crack The Skye
The Last Baron

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EP REVIEW: Fireworks Night - A Mirror, A Ghost (Organ Grinder)
The length and breadth of Britain is resounding with the jangly strings, keys and glut of bizarre leftfield instruments that only a serious folk music revival can bring. Up and comers like Edinburgh's Broken Records and, indeed, Fireworks Night are mixing Balkan jazz, gypsy punk and straight up folk in a refreshing attempt to cleanse our clubs of the jaded indie film that presently suffocates them. Fireworks Night and their curious take on folk music has been enchanting the ears of those who care to listen for two albums now. It seems that they are not, however, an ensemble to be rushed. In fact it took quite a long time for them to become a proper band at all - previously being a set up through which James Leslie and a group of his friends produced a self-confessed "collaborative mess". It was the addition of Rhiannon Armstrong, Neil Walsh and Ed Seed last year that helped the group sort itself out, leading to 'A Mirror, A Ghost', the first body of work that appropriately represents the band's current line-up. James' thoroughly British vocals evoke Bowie to great effect and manage to give the whole affair a wonderfully unique and somewhat antique feel. In addition, Fireworks Night bear a noticeably organic lustre, further emphasised by the fact that each of the 400 sleeves for the limited edition 'A Mirror, A Ghost' was hand made by the band themselves using the humble tools of a screen print, letterpress and an ink stamp. With this EP, it feels as though Fireworks Night are ready to trudge the long road ahead, and to accept whatever may come their way, and they're happy to do it together. MB
Release Date: 3 Nov
Press Contact: Hidden Fruit Music [all]

Buy from iTunes
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THE WHO TO PLAY AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
The Who will play at the Australian Grand Prix in March next year, in a traditional post-race gig that has previously featured Deep Purple and Kiss.

Zara Lawless, Acting CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation said: "Few bands can lay claim to being among rock royalty, but British rock gods The Who must surely feature on any list of the best bands of all-time. Last year, an estimated 65,000 people stuck around after the big race to see a full, two-hour concert extravaganza from Kiss. If you thought that was big, I urge you to get along to next year's Grand Prix to be part of an event that people will talk about for years to come".

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THE VIEW APOLOGISE FOR DRUNKEN GIG
The View have apologised to fans in Nottingham after frontman Kyle Falconer appeared on stage at the Bodega Social venue in the city too drunk to sing. Or even stand up, apparently. And doesn't he play guitar? He probably couldn't do that either.

In statement, Falconer said: "I'm really sorry to have let all our fans down. There's no excuses, I'm just really sorry I got so drunk I couldn't do the gig".

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RANDY NEWMAN POSTPONES EUROPEAN TOUR
Randy Newman has cancelled his forthcoming European tour, including his first UK date for five years, due to ill health. This is bad news because Randy Newman is ace, and anyone who says he isn't is wrong.

In a statement, promoters told reporters: "It is with great regret that Grammy and Academy Award-winner Randy Newman has had to postpone his forthcoming European tour on doctor's orders because of physical limitations and severe pain caused by stenosis in the lower back and neck", while Newman himself promised: "I'll get there as soon as I can".

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SNOW PATROL ANNOUNCE 2009 TOUR
Snow Patrol have announced tour dates for February and March next year. Tickets went on sale this morning exclusively at www.snowpatrol.com and will stop being on sale at midnight on Saturday, after which the band will burn any remaining tickets and dance around the fire singing the secret Snow Patrol fire chant. No, not really, they'll just leave them in an unburnt pile until they go on general sale on 7 Nov.

Tour dates:

22 Feb: Bournemouth, BIC
24 Feb: Glasgow, SECC
26 Feb: Aberdeen, AECC
28 Feb: Dublin, Point Depot
4 Mar: Sheffield, Hallam Arena
6 Mar: Liverpool, Arena
7 Mar: Manchester, MEN
8 Mar: Cardiff, Arena
10 Mar: Newcastle, Arena
11 Mar: Birmingham, NEC
12 Mar: Nottingham, Arena
14 Mar: London, O2
19 Mar: Belfast, Odyssey

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INFADELS PRESENT THE FREAK SHOW
Wall Of Sound Recordings and CMU favourites Infadels will next week bring the freakshow to your town, assuming your town is London or Manchester.

Following on from similar shows around Europe, fans are being encouraged to get dressed up and get involved. Masks will be distributed, and prizes awarded for the best costumes, including the chance to appear in the forthcoming video for Infadels track 'Circus Of The Mad'.

If you want to really get involved as a side show attraction you're encouraged to show up at 1pm to show off what you can do - the best freaks will be invited to perform on the night.

The Freak Show will play at ULU in London on 3 Nov (support from A.Human and Ocelot) and at the Roadhouse in Manchester on 5 Nov (support from Ocelot). Tickets are £11 in London and £8 in Manchester. More at www.infadels.co.uk

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ALBUM REVIEW: Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Cardinology (Lost Highway)
Ryan Adams has always worn his heart on his sleeve, as evidenced on his classic albums such as 'Heartbreaker' and 'Love Is Hell', even though at times his sensitive artist status has seemed at odds with his desire to be a rock 'n' roll star with all the attendant excesses. However, for his last album 'Easy Tiger' Adams was newly sober and 'Cardinology' continues the sobriety. As with his other albums recorded with the Cardinals, this is a rootsy country affair; the twang of pedal steel guitar on opening track 'Born Into A Light' sets the tone for the proceeding tracks. That said, there are also traces of the alternative rock influence more obvious on some of his solo albums, particularly on the gutsy 'Magick'. This is a simply crafted collection of intimate and poignant songs; especially effective are the reflective, romantic 'Go Easy' and the heartfelt 'Fix It'. There are occasional daft touches, as on 'Cobwebs' where he asks, "Will you confuse my love for the cobwebs?" but even here he is utterly convincing. Adams is sometimes criticised, even by his fans, for being overly prolific, but as long as he maintains the high quality evident here I'm happy. Indeed it's difficult to think of anyone else who chronicles the inner workings of the human heart so articulately or beautifully. JW
Release Date: 27 October
Press Contact: Richard Wootton Publicity [all]

Buy from iTunes
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EMUSIC LAY OFF STAFF
eMusic is the latest digital music firm to announce job cuts. According to the Wall Street Journal the independent download firm will lay off about 10% of its workforce because of the good old recession and all that. eMusic boss Danny Stein told the Journal that he still expects to see further growth at the company, but that it might be slower than originally expected because of wider economic uncertainty.

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SKY OBTAIN UK RIGHTS TO BRITNEY DOCUMENTARY
Sky have obtained the UK rights to broadcast that previously reported Britney Spears documentary, 'Britney: For The Record', which will be aired in the US on 30 Nov on MTV. The documentary will feature exclusive interview footage of Britney discussing her troubled times over the last couple of years and will follow her around the studio, a video shoot, backstage at the MTV Awards and around her Louisiana home.

Britney herself says of the programme: "I've been through a lot in the past two or three years, and there's a lot that people don't know. I wanted to make it because I started to feel like I wasn't being seen in the light that I wanted to be seen in. This is an opportunity to set the record straight and talk about what I've been through and where I'm headed".

No date for the UK broadcast has been set yet, but it has been confirmed that it will appear on Sky One in early December.

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COWELL SEEKS RIGHTS TO TOTP
Simon Cowell has said that he would like to buy the rights to Top Of The Pops and broadcast it on ITV, following news that the BBC have cancelled this year's TOTP Christmas special.

Speaking at the National TV Awards, where he picked a lifetime achievement award, Cowell told BBC News: "I would rather it came to us than just sit in the dustbin. If the BBC wanted to do a deal, and I can get ITV to buy it and broadcast it, I'd put it on ITV. It's been a good year for music and I think it's part of the tradition. It's not as though people aren't interested in music at the moment. Maybe we could make it a bit more interesting".

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JACKSON DROPS RAUNCHY ROUTINE
LL Cool J isn't the only thing to depart Janet Jackson's tour this week. The singer also cut a raunchy dance routine from her show when she performed her rescheduled concert at The Palace Of Auburn Hills in Detroit on Tuesday to avoid falling foul of local obscenity laws. The show, of course, was previously cancelled during Jackson's bout of migraine-associated vertigo.

In the section of the show in question, the performance of the song 'Discipline', Jackson normally invites a male audience member on stage, ties him down and then pretends to grope him as her dancers prance around stroking themselves. Yes, Janet Jackson is your go-to girl if you like being sexually humiliated in front of thousands of people. Except in Michigan, where that sort of thing isn't allowed.

A spokesman for the venue told WENN: "We explained the law, asked her not to do it, she complied. We did not ask her to cut the song. That was her call".

Jackson's manager Kenneth Crear: "Janet did not want to disappoint her Detroit-area fans again, so we adhered to Michigan's state ordinance and trimmed the 'Discipline' segment of the show so it would not be cancelled".

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LIL WAYNE DELIVERED LIL DWAYNE
Lil Wayne has revealed that he delivered his first son, Dwayne Carter III, who was born in Cincinnati on 22 Oct, himself. The rapper already has a daughter from a relationship with high school sweetheart Antonia Johnson. However, the identity of the mother of Dwayne has not yet been revealed.

Wayne told US radio station Power 105.1: "I delivered him. I held the left leg the whole time. It was nasty, very nasty, but it was wonderful. He's the best thing to ever happen to me, next to my daughter".

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STONE RECORDS IN SECRET
Joss Stone has revealed that she began recording her forthcoming new album in secret to stop her label, EMI, from interfering with it.

Stone told The Daily Star: "I recorded the bulk of my new album in the space of a week in February this year. But it was like a secret - not a secret from the world, but a secret from the record company, because, basically, I didn't want them fucking with it. EMI was going through a lot of change at the time. It's a very long story but there aren't many people left there that I know now. I recorded the album at my mum's house in Devon. It was like a building site at the time, so it was just me and a crew in two bare rooms with a mic".

It was in February that I was in Devon for my Grandmother's funeral and my sister saw Joss Stone open the passenger door of a car into a wall, which she also kept secret, from the driver that is. She's a secretive girl, that Joss Stone.

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BARLOW PRAISES WILLIAMS
I dunno, what's going on with the world? First Slash praises the new Guns N' Roses single and now Gary Barlow is praising the new Robbie Williams material that Robbie himself played to him. Hell must be chilly at the moment.

Barlow told The Sun: "We had some great hanging-out time with Robbie in Los Angeles and he played us some of his new stuff. It was really good. He started out with us so we have a connection".

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SPRINGSTEEN CANCELS HALLOWEEN
Bruce Springsteen has cancelled his annual Halloween party for local residents near his home in New Jersey this year because he's afraid people might get hurt. Surely that's what Halloween's all about - extortion and injury. Anyway, anyone hoping to swipe some souvenirs (or get some treats) from the star's home tonight will be disappointed.

In statement Springsteen said: "So as not to inconvenience you this Halloween, due to 'catastrophic success' and concern for the safety of kids and parents we won't be having our usual Halloween display this year in Rumson. We wish everyone a safe and Happy Halloween!"

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