Johnathan Rice Touring with Matt Costa

PR reports: 24 year-old Johnathan Rice has a voice above and beyond his years. Raspy and seasoned, his songs are imbued with a journeyman's sensibility and his new album, Further North, drips with carefully crafted songwriting that offers a varying bed of emotions.

Rice has been winning fans across the country thanks to his impressive live performances, opening for bands such as Rilo Kiley, The Redwalls, Martha Wainwright and Wilco, and with his charming sensitivity enticing audiences to the musical destinations of his choice.

Keep an eye out for his next run of dates with Matt Costa in Feb/March

2/22 Chicago IL - Double Door
2/25 Ann Arbor MI - Blind Pig - more dates

Christina Aguilera Goes To The Movies?

Contact Music reports: Christina Aguilera and Katie Holmes have signed to star together in a new movie.

The pair will team up in family drama Humboldt Park, which will begin shooting in February (08) - just weeks after Aguilera is due to give birth to her first child.

A source says, "(Holmes) is trying to prove she can do more than fluffy popcorn movies", and starring alongside Aguilera "shows she's willing to take risks". - more on this story

Russia In Flames

BW&BK reports: Swedish metallers IN FLAMES have scheduled two live dates in Russia for the end of January.

Says the band: "This is the first time for In Flames in Russia. We are REALLY looking forward to it!

"We have heard a lot from other bands/friends who have recently played live for you guys over there who all loved it, so see you at the show." - more on this story

Blues Singer Sues Jacko, NWA, Will Smith and Tupac for Stealing

Contact Music reports: Blues singer SYL JOHNSON is suing stars including MICHAEL JACKSON, WILL SMITH and TUPAC SHAKUR for copyright infringement, claiming they illegally sampled his song DIFFERENT STROKES without giving him credit for the track.

The veteran star filed suit recently in an Illinois court, claiming Jackson's hit Blood on the Dance Floor, Smith's Who Stole the D.J. and the late Shakur's Peep Game all used his song - without paying for the rights to do so.

Johnson - real name Sylvester Thompson has also filed papers against the legendary rap group N.W.A. for their song Real N**gaz Don't Die, and KRS-One, for his track Criminal Minded. - more on this story

TuneRanger Released

PR reports: Smith Micro Software, Inc. Consumer Group today announced the latest edition to their expanding portfolio with the launch of TuneRanger for Macs and PCs. TuneRanger works with iTunes to aid those with multiple computers or iPods in managing and maintaining their growing media libraries by filling holes, purging duplicate files, propagating new additions to licensed devices, and finding lost songs.

TuneRanger offers direct support for iTunes on both Macs and PCs, as well as iPods, and enables the synchronization of libraries over multiple machines and across many platforms. TuneRanger's powerful options and easy-to-use tools dramatically streamline the process of updating multiple devices and locating and adding media files, while using smart logic to filter duplicates and unlicensed music.

"Chances are you keep your iTunes music and video collection on more than one computer, so you already know how hard it is to keep them all up-to-date," said David Polzine, Director of Utility and Productivity Solutions for Smith Micro Software's Consumer Group, "Add a family to the mix and the task is virtually impossible to control, but with TuneRanger, you can manage all your iTunes-running computers on any network and synchronize music, videos and playlists with the click of a button. Album covers, lyrics and all other changes are updated seamlessly, while misplaced songs are located, un-owned copies purged and duplicates removed - always keeping only the best quality copy." - more info

Radiohead Debut on iTunes

Apple reports: Radiohead make their iTunes debut with In Rainbows, one of the most talked about and celebrated albums of the past year.

A concise blend of technology and streamlined, unnerving guitar-driven songs.

In Rainbows is now available with a digital booklet. - iTunes link

Dream Theater Comp in March

Metal Underground reports: On March 18th, Rhino Records is releasing double-CD Best Of from prog-metal legends DREAM THEATER called Greatest Hit & 19 Other Pretty Cool Songs.

Tracklisting, artwork and other info will be revealed soon.

Dream Theater's Progressive Nation tour is set to begin in April and will feature OPETH, 3 and BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME.

Upcoming Dream Theater's "An Evening With..." dates include:

January
12 - Seoul, Korea - Melon-AX Hall
15 - Tokyo, Japan - Budokan
17 - Singapore, Singapore - Fort Canning Park
19 - Bangkok, Thailand - Bangkok Hall
22 - Beijing, China - MG Live House
- more dates

The Houstons Debut

PR reports: The Houstons' debut LP, STILL was released on CD yesterday, January 1st, 2000 and eight on MoRisen Records! Now, before you go putting on your jet pack to fly through space to pick up your very own copy, here's a little background info.

Like the perfect pair of thrift store jeans, The Houstons may be new to you, but they're not new. They were originally known as the NC duo, The Houston Brothers (AKA Justin and Matt Faircloth).

With a bevy of releases spanning 8 years, the Brothers began hitting some rough patches, due in no small part to their total immersion in music. Taking a year-plus hiatus to get things back on track, the brothers Faircloth came back in 2007 with an updated nom de plume, a new CD on the horizon, and an additional 3 members adding even more adornment to an already lush soundscape. The result is STILL, the most ambitious and mesmerizing Houston-branded album to date. Recorded primarily in Justin's home studio, STILL is a warm and intimate album coming to terms with the trials and tribulations of a life lived too fast. - http://www.myspace.com/thehoustons

Suge Appealing Court Ruling

Contact Music reports: Hip-hop mogul MARION 'SUGE' KNIGHT is urging a Los Angeles judge to dismiss a $130 million (GBP65 million) ruling against him, alleging it is fraudulent.

The former Death Row Records boss was ordered to make the payout in March 2005 to singer Lydia Harris, after she accused him of forcing her out of a job despite helping to set up the notorious music label with her then-husband Michael 'Harry-O' Harris.

The case never went to trial, but the ruling was made after Knight's attorneys broke various court rules and failed to make the star's financial records readily available to the prosecution. - more on this story

Rhonda Vincent Good Thing Going Jan 8th

PR reports: Rhonda Vincent - the fiery vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter dubbed "the new queen of bluegrass" by the Wall Street Journal - is set to release her new album Good Thing Going on January 8, 2008.

The 12 tracks that make up Good Thing Going include five originals or co-writes, alongside a range of contemporary and classic cover tracks. Good Thing Going is her most personal, autobiographical project yet.

"I have never written five songs to include on an album," she remarks. "I have to be inspired to write a song…but there's been no shortage of inspiration lately." From the hard-driving bluegrass "Hit Parade of Love" (an old Jimmy Martin tune and longtime concert favorite) to tender balladry "I Give My Love to You" (a touching original ballad, performed as a duet with Russell Moore) to the rollicking, playful autobiographical title track and the concert favorite, "Bluegrass Saturday Night" Rhonda proves once again she is the queen of bluegrass.

Vincent will continue her ongoing U.S. tour in 2008 in support of Good Thing Going starting on January 18th. For a complete schedule go to - www.rhondavincent.com

Surf Rock Comp

PR reports: On the heels of the "Skater Rock Vol. 1/2" and "Strip Club Rock" CD Comps, both due in stores March 25th, Versailles Records has announced plans for "Surf Rock Vol. 1/2.'

The album will feature material from current/former members of Ozzy Osbourne Band, Aerosmith, Rough Cutt, Ratt, Alice Cooper Band, Exodus, Warrant, L.A. Guns, Slash's Snakepit, Exodus, Lillian Axe, Dangerous Toys, Poison, Pretty Boy Floyd, Dad's Porno Mag, WASP, and others.

In addition to the aforementioned material, the label is seeking original song submissions from up-and-coming, signed and unsigned millennium rock and metal bands. - more on this story

Mastery Lose Two Members

PR reports: Toronto "instrumetal" thrash band Mastery have announced the departure of guitarist Jeff Dormar and drummer Kevin Joy. "Due to personal and musical differences it was in the best interest of the band to let guitarist Jeff and drummer Kevin Joy go their separate ways," says Mastery guitarist Markus Armellini.

"We are currently working on material for our upcoming new album and have decided that the new material will have a vocalist. We have someone in mind and will make an announcement regarding new members shortly."

Mastery's debut album, Lethal Legacy, was released through Corporate Punishment Records. The album drew critical acclaim from Metal Maniacs who proclaimed, "While Lethal Legacy pays homage to the classic thrash of the late '80s/early '90s with nods to Testament, Forbidden, Vio-lence and Metallica, it doesn't sound as if the band are pinning for the glory days."

Fans can preview material from the group's debut album
- here

Ricky Nelson: Greatest Love Songs

PR reports: In the 1950s, Ricky Nelson brought tender ballads and rock 'n' roll to living rooms across America, co-starring in his parents' weekly hit, "The Ozzie and Harriet Show." For the first time, his most romantic recordings have been collected for a new CD and digital album, Ricky Nelson: Greatest Love Songs, to be released January 15 by Capitol/EMI, just in time for Valentine's Day. The 22-track collection features 14 Top 20 hits, including the #1 smash, "Poor Little Fool." Two Ricky Nelson ringtunes will also debut on January 15.

Ricky Nelson became famous for the string of tender ballads he recorded throughout the 1950s, many of which he debuted on "The Ozzie and Harriet Show," sparking clamoring demand across the country for each of his new singles. But his recording career began almost as a fluke. - more on this story

Grammy Comps

PR reports: In a grand commemoration of the 50th Celebration of the GRAMMY Awards, Shout! Factory and The Recording Academy's GRAMMY Recordings announce an electrifying 7-CD series encompassing GRAMMY winners from four of the legendary awards' major genres. With a personal introduction written by 27-time GRAMMY winner and 50th Celebration Ambassador Quincy Jones, this series is a sumptuous ode to the biggest hits in music history and a must-have for music lovers and collectors alike.

Ultimate GRAMMY® Collection: Contemporary Rock (January 8)
1. Living Colour "Cult Of Personality"
2. Melissa Etheridge "Ain't It Heavy"
3. Soul Asylum "Runaway Train"
4. Stone Temple Pilots "Plush"
5. Soundgarden "Black Hole Sun"
6. Blues Traveler "Run-Around" (Album version)
7. Tracy Chapman "Give Me One Reason"
8. The Smashing Pumpkins "Bullet With Butterfly Wings"
9. The Chemical Brothers "Block Rockin' Beats"
10. Fiona Apple "Criminal"
11. Lenny Kravitz "Fly Away"
12. Coldplay "In My Place"
13. Dave Matthews "Gravedigger"
14. The White Stripes "Seven Nation Army"
15. Evanescence "Bring Me To Life"
16. Green Day "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams"
- more tracklists

.... The Killers - Sawdust

The intention of the Killer's B-side collection 'Sawdust' can be summed up in the album's dedication- "This Album Is Dedicated To Our Fans". An encompassing, driving and quirky collection of songs that would otherwise be lost to time. (3 stars) - Read the full The Killers - Sawdust review

.... Moonspell - Under Satanae

Moonspell's decision to recreate the union of folk influences with their esoteric blackened design was a most brilliant idea. Under Satanae is a nearly flawless effort. Calling it a modern recreation would be grotesquely improper, because this is the work of legends. - Read the full Moonspell - Under Satanae review

.... The Screen Door Best of 2007 Special

Lists are mind numbing, yet wildly fun, exercises that anyone who writes deems essential. What you will find below are ten albums that knocked me to the ground. These are albums that spoke to me deeply and profoundly in ways. - Read the full The Screen Door Best of 2007 Special review

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