I have had bad reviews! exclaims Annie, arguably Scandinavia’s most sensational export since Sven’s little black book, as she perches on the edge of her seat. “I had one in Norway saying it was a lot of hype. And I think I might have got one in Sweden . . .” The pop princess is spluttering politely — the consequence of a cold — in the foyer of a London hotel. A doctor might prescribe some rest, but over the next week Annie will be touching down in no fewer than four more countries promoting her debut album Anniemal...

When James McMurtry was sponsored into semi-stardom by John Mellencamp, in the late eighties, he had all the right touchstones for a contemporary alt-folk troubadour: a literary pedigree (he’s the son of the novelist Larry McMurtry), John Lennon glasses, and a Lou Reed voice. But after his two-fisted early records, McMurtry carved out a niche that threatened to become a rut. His new album, “Childish Things” (Compadre), restores some power to the proceedings.

Rock band Oasis are leading this year's Q Awards with five nominations. The band are shortlisted for best live act, best album, best video and best act in the world today, along with best track for The Importance Of Being Idle. Coldplay are competing for four awards, while James Blunt, U2, and Green Day have three nominations each. The winners - voted for by Q readers, radio listeners and TV viewers - will be named on 10 October at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Oasis will be up against Coldplay, Green Day, U2 and Muse in the contest to be named best act in the world today and best live act.

The premise of Paul Mccartney working with Nigel Godrich was clear from the start. McCartney wanted a producer who appreciated his storied past but at the same time believed that, at sixty-three, he has a vital future. For his part, Godrich -- who is best-known for his work with Radiohead and Beck -- had expressed interest in collaborating with an established artist whose reputation extended further back than the Nineties. A win-win, right?

Lorsqu’en 1962 Mick Jagger et Keith Richards empruntèrent à Muddy Waters le titre d’une chanson pour en baptiser le petit orchestre de rhythm & blues qu’ils venaient de fonder dans une banlieue de Londres, rien ne leur permettait d’imaginer qu’il serait encore à l’affiche quarante-trois ans plus tard ; ni que ce nom signifierait alors plus qu’il ne l’avait jamais fait auparavant. Car comment assumer la condition de Rolling Stones en 2005, alors que l’âge des protagonistes oscille entre 63 (Charlie Watts) et 58 ans (Ron Wood).

Si dice di solito che il passaggio a una major di una band con un solido retroterra indipendente presenti molteplici rischi, sia per le aspettative che in essa possono essere riposte a livello di mercato, sia per gli inevitabili timori di una banalizzazione in chiave commerciale di quanto in precedenza prodotto in ambito underground. Non sempre ciò risulta valido, ma aspettative e timori sono pur comprensibili se riguardano il debutto per una multinazionale di una band particolarissima come i Sigur Rós

Immaginate una colonna sonora come Selmasongs, così avviluppata alle immagini da soffrire il distacco su cd; ma non di quella pasta rock barocca, piuttosto della vaga onirica materia di Medulla. Quest'album è fatto così, «amniotico ipnotico» come il film a cui si riferisce, ultima produzione del videoartista Matthew Barney, compagno della nostra islandese preferita. Un film muto e lentissimo di oltre due ore e mezza, scosso ogni tanto dai lampi incoerenti decisi da Bjork che qui galleggiano all'ascolto…

Tom Waits said today (Sept. 15) he has filed a lawsuit against a unit of automaker General Motors Corp. and a German advertising agency for allegedly using a soundalike in a series of European ads. The 55-year-old singer/songwriter, whose distinct, gravelly voice has won him two Grammy Awards, filed the civil lawsuit this week with a state court in Frankfurt, listing Adam Opel AG and the advertising firm McCann Erickson as the defendants.

The band will play 'Demon Days' live at their first ever proper gigs. Gorillaz are set to step out from their cartoon shadows and play album 'Demon Days'live for the first time in its entirety. The band will play a five night stint at the Manchester Opera Housefrom November 1-5, and unlike their last UK gigs in 2001 when the group performed silhouetted behind a screen, Damon Albarn and co will reveal all and take to the stage.

C'est ce lundi que sort le nouvel album du groupe Noir Désir. Il s'agit en l'occurrence d'un double CD en concert («En public»), accompagné d'un DVD («En image»), qui succèdent à un premier témoignage scénique, «Dies Irae», sorti en 1994. Le genre d'objet «live» qui ne suscite généralement pas de nombreux commentaires. Ce n'est pas le cas cette fois-ci: numéro spécial du magazine «Les Inrockuptibles», couverture du quotidien «Libération», pleine page dans «Le Monde»...

Tras el éxito de su primer disco, Marlango, formado por Leonor Watling, Alejandro Pelayo y Óscar Ybarra, han publicado este lunes 'Automatic imperfection', un álbum en el que la banda celebra sus imperfecciones y muestra que "la música pertenece a quien la escucha", según dice la actriz y cantante. 'Shake the moon', un homenaje a Tom Waits, uno de los músicos de referencia de la banda, abre el álbum que, según sus miembros…