The Morning Papers

TNOP brings the news to your front doorstep . . .

NPR Music is streaming the new Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach. We're a couple of spins through and its true to the groove. While there doesn't appear to be a song like "Feel Good Inc." or "Clint Eastwood" that immediately catches the ear, the Lou Reed tune, "Some Kind of Nature," is especially cool. And you can also check out 2D, Murdoc and Noodles being pursued by Bruce Willis in the video for the first single, "Stylo." Where's Russel? Stay tuned.

On May 18, Universal Music will reissue one of the most critically acclaimed rock records of all time, The Rolling Stones' Exile On Main Street. The new package will include four never heard tunes produced by Jimmy Miller, Don Was and The Glimmer Twins (Mick & Keef).

Brooklyn's Yeasayer played Brighton Digital in the UK on Monday night. The Guardian reviews.

Clarence Greenwood a/k/a Citizen Cope talks with Jim DeRogatis in advance of his sold-out show in Chicago this coming Friday at The Vic.

The Morning Benders, a three piece outfit from Berkeley, California, have warmed up for some significant indie acts (Grizzly Bear, The Kooks and Ra Ra Riot, to name a few) over the past couple of years. Now they may be on the verge of breaking out with their pending CD Big Echo. You can stream the whole album over at Muzzle of Bees. And the band lets you download their Phil Spector Wall of Sound influenced opening track, "Excuses," for free at their website.

Baltimore pop duo Beach House celebrate their latest release Teen Dream with an interview and mini-set on the World Cafe.

This Saturday night The Avett Brothers play a sold-out gig at The Riverside in Milwaukee. No tickets? Hear the show live on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee.

If you've been a reader of this blog, you know our affinity for soul giant Bill Withers. Now the latest issue of The New Yorker profiles him.

Canadian folk legend Gordon Lightfoot submits to a Q&A with Connect Savannah.

The Choice Music Prize is Ireland's annual bow to the best pop music on the Emerald Isle. The Irish Times gives us a run-down on all the nominees and sets the odds of winning, as well.

Finally, The Band's multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Richard Manuel passed away 15 years ago today. In gracious memory of his extraordinary talent, listen to his lead on "Tears of Rage" at Woodstock in 1969. The footage is rare and quite coarse, but it's worth it. As Levon Helm put it, ". . . once he got started, man: drums, piano, play it all, sing, do a lead in one of them high, hard-assed keys to sing in. Richard just knew how a song was supposed to go. Structure, melody; he understood it."