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After winning over U.S. hipsters with its critically acclaimed 2005 debut “Silent Alarm,” U.K. rock act Bloc Party is now aiming for mainstream success. The group’s second outing, “A Weekend in the City,” comes out February 6 via Atlantic Records, preceded by two radio singles, “The Prayer” and “I Still Remember.” The group toned down the frenetic feel of its debut, which sold almost one million copies worldwide and drew comparisons to the jerky post-punk of Gang of Four and late-period Blur. “A Weekend in the City,” particularly on its back half, is dominated by slower, richly textured songs that… Read more »

The end of 2006 also marks the end of the current congressional session in the House and Senate, closing the door on the Deleting Online Predators Act. Let’s take a look at why this legislation, which passed overwhelmingly in the House this summer, died such a slow death. Those of you who’ve been following this blog from the get-go are undoubtedly aware of the Deleting Online Predators Act, or DOPA. But for those of you who don’t frequent my humble column on a regular basis, here’s the skinny. DOPA, introduced last May by Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick and a coalition of… Read more »

If you’re ever in some dingy watering hole and a lad wearing a panda costume walks in and sits down at the bar, don’t be alarmed. He might not be just some wacko, and he might not pose any kind of real threat. In fact, there’s a good chance he’s just a bored member of post-hardcore six-piece Chiodos, trying to abolish the ennui that comes with life on the road. “Every single day something ridiculous happens out here,” frontman Craig Owens explained. “We’ll dress someone up to go to a bar in a panda suit, and we’re always playing jokes… Read more »

As far as explanatory statements from musicians go, this one by Relient K frontman Matt Thiessen about his band’s new album, Five Score and Seven Years Ago, sort of takes the cake for general awesomeness: “We had already come up with the title of the album, so I decided to write some lyrics about John Wilkes Booth. I hope people don’t think it’s a concept record about Abraham Lincoln or anything like that.” Gee, why would anyone think that? After all, there are tons of albums out there that nick their title from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (“Four score and seven… Read more »

The roller coaster relationship between Babyshambles rocker Pete Doherty and supermodel Kate Moss looks to have come good – with news of the couple marrying in Phuket on New Year’s Day yesterday. According to reports, the couple tied the knot in a Buddhist wedding ceremony yesterday, exchanging vows at the traditional Thai bash in front of a small group of family and friends. 32-year-old Moss was dressed in a white Galliano gown while Doherty, 28, wore a black linen suit and pork pie hat. There’s been no official comment from either Ms Moss’ spokesman, or from Doherty’s camp, but press… Read more »

The final curtain has fallen on this very public affair. Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey have settled the division of their assets, according to court documents. While the ex-Newlyweds have technically been singletons and free to marry others since June, with great success comes great responsibility. For their lawyers and accountants, that is. Details of the settlement were not disclosed and each has agreed not to discuss the other’s financial holdings, but we can remember that Simpson, while we wouldn’t compare her situation to Britney’s, was reportedly raking in more money than her hubby during their three-year marriage. The comely… Read more »

Following are previews of albums due out within the next few months from debut acts or under-the-radar artists due for a breakthrough. PAOLO NUTINI Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini, who turns 20 January 9, was one of the most noteworthy breakout artists of 2006 for Atlantic Records in the United Kingdom. After an appearance at South by Southwest in Austin last March, his debut single, “Last Request,” reached No. 5 in July on the British charts and also became a substantial airplay hit. His debut album, “These Streets,” subsequently opened at No. 3 with out-of-the-box sales of 35,000, according to his… Read more »

Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was executed in Baghdad at 6:05 a.m. Saturday morning (December 30), 10:05 p.m. ET, less than a week after a death sentence against him was upheld for his role in the ordering the execution of 148 Shiite Muslims in 1982, CNN has confirmed. The execution was not shown on live television, although it was videotaped, CNN reports. Images of atrocities wreaked by his regime were broadcast on state TV leading up to the hanging, according to A source told CNN that people danced around Hussein’s body and engaged in Shiite chants in the room where… Read more »

Ruben Garay, the webmaster of World of Britney (worldofbritney.com) and arguably her biggest devotee, has announced plans to shut down the six-year-old site in the wake of the “Toxic” singer’s recent run of questionable behavior. “As Britney keeps losing her identity and credibility within fans and industry people, so is [World of Britney],” Garay writes. “I believe Britney is unfortunately done (for me at least). No matter what anyone thinks or how they may disagree, it’s very hard to maintain the respect needed to keep things going.” The Web shrine, which bears the motto “Dream, Create, Deliver, Inspire” and has… Read more »

Irish rocker and humanitarian Bono will become a knight of the British empire — but the U2 frontman won’t be called “Sir.” Bono, 46, will receive his honorary knighthood from the British ambassador to Ireland, David Reddaway, in a Dublin ceremony shortly after New Year’s Day. The Dubliner, whose real name is Paul Hewson, won’t be entitled to use the title “Sir” because he is not a national of Britain or the Commonwealth of former British colonies. A spokesperson said the singer was flattered by the honor and hoped it will help him open diplomatic doors in his campaign for… Read more »