Weekly Round Up (16 Feb 2009)

Hi and welcome to this week's round up. To begin with I have some really exciting news (ahem!). Over the coming weeks, the page should improve its content greatly, with more extensive coverage of a series of features.

To begin with, the sidebar has been modified (again!) to include a Main Sections area as well as a Tag Cloud, thus enabling readers to sift through the crap and go straight to where they want to. I'll also be recommending the Top Posts which, in my modest opinion, deserve a read.

The Pumping On My Stereo section, will soon sport an MP3 player with the top tracks of the moment, instead of the slideshow you've been bored to death with until now (at least, that is, until someone threatens me with legal action!).

Apart from the structural changes, I'll try and put together a more complete weekly round-up of news both in and out of Myspace and write each album review in a separate, more detailed post. Needless to say, the Myspace Magic band features will remain a focal part of the blog, as I'm really enjoying checking out new groups and giving them a little exposure.

I hope you all like the developments the page is undertaking and would, naturally, like some feedback. I'd also like to thank all those who have offered some words of encouragement recently - your kind comments make me want to improve things even more.

Anyway, time to cut the crap and on with the show!

Top Stories
Here's a summary of what's been going on in the music world this week (Myspace bands will be dealt with separately)...

There are two "big" stories and a few "fillers"

Brighton boys, The Maccabees have posted a new song from their forthcoming second album online. 'No Kind Words' is available to listen to on their official web now.

Speaking to the enemy (that nme.com crowd), guitarist Hugo White said that the band were keen to gauge fans' reaction to the song, which he said has "dark undertones" compared to the rest of the new album.

"We can't wait to hear what people think of it and see how it goes down on the forums and online," he added.

The track is certainly darker than those offered on the debut album, "Colour It In", although White claims the whole album is not the same. Only time will tell.

Rising star, Morrissey released his latest album "Years Of Refusal" today (Feb 16) and during a promotional interview he quickly quashed any fantiasies of a Smiths reunion, aswell as informing us that he'll probably retire before too long.

The singer told BBC Radio 2 that he couldn't understand why people kept asking if the indie legends would reform, adding that he was happy to focus on his solo career.

"People always ask me about reunions and I can't imagine why," he said. "It baffles me. The past seems like a distant place and I'm pleased with that. I feel very much of now."

The star added: "I just sing the songs that please me and I don't try to please anyone else. I don't ask people what they think about them."

Well, even though he doesn't ask what others think of his songs, I'll be writing a full review as soon as I've heard it enough (hopefully sometime in the next week or two).

Elsewhere, Limp Bizkit have announced that they are reforming with the original band line-up for the first time in eight years and will embark on a world tour in the Spring. Enimem's comeback single, 'Crack A Bottle', has broken the record for opening week download sales in the US, selling 418,000 copies online in its first week and, finally, Amy Winehouse enjoyed her personal version of Friday 13 and was admitted to hospital on the island of St Lucia after running out of a drug replacement she had been using, according to The Sun (so it must be true!). Didn't her mum tell her she should be careful with seafood while on holiday?

Reviews
Lily Allen and Morrissey are the top two releases this week, so I owe you a review on these two. Still playing catch up as well and will try and get a write up of The Rifles and The View posted before we forget they exist!

Myspace Magic
Another frenetic week on Myspace, resulting in a handful of new friends, interviews and news bits.

Liverpool boys, Aspen Grove and Fare Evaders have looked me up and their interviews will be published as soon as I can fit them in (heavy schedule you know!).

Elsewhere, we mustn't forget the Metropolitans' show at the Liverpool O2 Academy on Wednesday - all the best to the lads there. Italy's The Lapsus have announced the release of an E.P. and Americans, Dark Speakers have posted their first myspace track, 'Caught In A Woman's Dress', which will keep all BRMC rockers happy at least. (I like it too!).

Festival Fever
As we come to terms with the first confirmations for this year's SOS 4.8 festival, I've been bold (stupid?) enough to post a poll on the sidebar which lets you decide which the most exciting confirmed act is so far. At the moment, there are 2 votes (at which point I ran out of computers, he, he), but there are still at least 10 days of voting left so, come on, don't make me look like a real loser!

Meanwhile the rumours surrounding the final bands to be confirmed are flying around. The Pet Shop Boys are back on the scene and looking probable, while Blur, Muse, Placebo and Bloc Party have all had a mention. Who would you like to see in action? I'd love Moz to come, but he's in Northern Ireland that weekend, making things a little difficult!

Another festival to announce its acts is the Liverpool Sound City, which will take place from 20-23 May. White Lies, Hot Melts and Little Boots, amongst others will be there. This is another festival aiming to build on last year's successful debut - we shall monitor its development.

Reckon that should do for now. Time for bed!