It’s time to unwind and check in on the world of music with you friends at mxdwn.com and this week’s Unplugging column. This week’s column features news on Radiohead’s new album and more.
Radiohead is still alive and kicking – and making new albums. The band announced their next album, The King of Limbs, earlier this week, and it’s available for purchase right now.
The album will be available on February 19th in two different versions. One version is a made-to-order deluxe album, which includes two 10’ vinyl records, compact disc, large sheets of artwork, and more. While the deluxe version will be available digitally on the 19th, the physical package will be shipped May 9th.
If you didn’t catch the Grammys this past Sunday, Arcade Fire came out on top, winning the highly prestigious Album of the Year Award for their most recent album, The Suburbs. While usually being overlooked at past award ceremonies, it was refreshing to see the group recognized for their musical efforts and awarded what they most certainly deserved.
Celebrating 10 years, Bonnaroo has announced their most amazing lineup to date with a wide range of musical artists including Eminem, Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, Lil Wayne, The Strokes, The Decemberists, Girl Talk, Iron & Wine, and more. Order your tickets February 19th to ensure a spot at this festival, as it will most definitely sell out quickly.
Tour announcements this week includes Queens of the Stone Age and Rise Against, who’ve both announced exciting appearances across the country. Queens of the Stone Age will be embarking on a short spring tour in support of the reissue of their debut album.
The tour, which includes a stop at SXSW, will feature the band performing the debut in its entirety – B-sides, rarities, and all. Ride Against has announced a North American tour beginning in April with the support of Bad Religion and Four Year Strong.
Metallica has announced plans to head back to the studio in May, however this isn’t going to be a conventional record, but rather a “recording project.”
“We want to record it in two weeks,” Kirk Hammett, the band’s guitarist, said in a Rolling Stone interview. “It’s not really 100 percent a Metallica record. It’s more a recording project than a bona fide Metallica.”
Finally, Guitar Hero has ceased production. According to an announcement made by Activision through their 2010 financial statement, the game series is retiring and no more are being made.
The statement says: “Due to continued declines in the music genre, the company will disband Activision Publishing’s Guitar Hero business unit and discontinue development on its Guitar Hero game for 2011. These decisions are based on the desire to focus on the greatest opportunities that the company currently has to create the world’s best interactive entertainment experiences.”
Thankfully, Rock Band is still going strong!
Radiohead Announces Next Album The King of Limbs: Radiohead has announced their next album, The King of Limbs, and is available for preorder now. After ordering, fans will be able to download the album on February 19th. Also, the album is coming in two different versions – one being a “Deluxe” version. Follow the link for cover art.
Arcade Fire Takes Top Honors at The 53rd Grammy Awards: Arcade Fire came in first with the highly prestigious Album of the Year Award for their most recent release, The Suburbs.
Bonnaroo Announces Lineup!: For the 10th anniversary, Bonnaroo has announced an amazing lineup with a wide range of artists including Eminem, Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, Lil Wayne, The Strokes, The Decemberists, Girl Talk, Iron & Wine, and more. Tickets go on sale February 19th at noon EST. Follow the link for complete confirmed lineup.
Queens of the Stone Age Announce Show at SXSW and Spring Tour Dates Performing Debut Album: Queens of the Stone Age recently announced that they will embark on a small spring tour in support of the reissue of their debut, self-titled album. The tour, which includes a stop at SXSW, will see the band perform their 1998 debut in its entirety, along with B-sides and rarities, at each stop.
Rise Against to Tour with Bad Religion, Four Year Strong, The Descendents: Rise Against will kick off a North American tour in early April with the support of special guests Bad Religion and Four Year Strong. Check out the dates, one of which includes an appearance by legendary punkers The Descendents, by following the link.
Metallica Heads Back to Studio: Though veteran rockers Metallica will be heading back to the recording studio in May, don’t expect a conventional album to follow. The sessions will produce a “recording project.”
No More New ‘Guitar Hero’, Series is Over: According to Rolling Stone, the popular game series, Guitar Hero, will retire and no more new games will be made. Activision announced the shutdown through the release of their 2010 financial statement.
