Coldplay freebies

The new Coldplay album won't hit shelves until early June -- but the Brit quartet is serving up free music and concerts to tie fans over in the meantime.

For the next week, first single "Violet Hill" is available for download on the band's website. They've also announced two free shows: June 16 in London, and June 23 in New York City. Full details on how to get tickets will be up on their site soon.

RS Mag: Best of Rock

This week, Rolling Stone magazine released their Best of Rock compilation list, where they gave their two cents on everything from Best Breakthrough Artist to Best Guitar Tech.

A few tidbits:

Best Festival Band:
Radiohead

"The best live band in rock played its greatest concert ever on June 17th, 2006, at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. "The performances are brilliant," says Radiohead bassist Colin Greenwood, "because they are so relaxed."

"In 'House of Cards,'" Colin says, "50,000 people threw their glow sticks in the air to this kick-drum beat and Thom's keening voice. In the film [of the concert], it looks like Thom walked into a party where he feels instantly at home."



Best Live Band:
Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band

"Springsteen has been opening recent U.S. shows with vintage optimism and highway thrills: "Out in the Street," "Spirit in the Night" and "Thunder Road." But he is also telling poignant stories on this tour about the state of our faith in this nation, bundling new songs about America under siege ("Livin' in the Future," "Long Walk Home") with enduring tales of great escape ("The Promised Land," "Badlands") in inspirational segues that recall the narrative arcs of Springsteen's epic Eighties shows."



Best Modern Song Lyrics:
Various Artists


1. "If they ask why we left in the first place
Say we were young and we were so in love
and I guess we just needed space
And we heard about this place
Called the United States"
("Killer Parties" -The Hold Steady)

3. "Spaceships don't come equipped with rear view mirrors."
("International Playa Anthem" -Andre 3000)

18. "I got soul, but I'm not a soldier."
("All These Things That I've Done" -The Killers)

20. "I'm going to Wichita!"
("Seven Nation Army" -The White Stripes)

Pope - a - palooza

Pope Benedict XVI, Kelly Clarkson, and 25,000 screaming fans in Yonkers, New York this past Sunday?

Now that's a show.

Donned in a demure blue dress, Kelly peformed "Ave Maria" for the Pope at St. Joseph's Seminar as he wrapped up his first visit to the U.S.

Guess Kelly thought that the lacy black tank top, ripped jeans, and silver-studded belt that she wore to belt out "Since U Been Gone" before Pope Bendict took the stage was a bit too punk -- even for P-Ben.

Bret Michaels: Nothin' But a Good Time

You've got to hand it to Bret Michaels.

He's transformed himself from a washed-up, big-haired '80s rocker to a washed-up, big-haired '80s rocker with the #1 show on VH1 for two seasons in a row.

(Take that, Axl Rose.)

Ratings were explosive for 'Rock of Love 2', which wrapped last Sunday, and Bret has wasted no time in banking on its popularity. He's already lined up a nationwide solo tour, and is continuing talks with VH1 for yet another spin-off show.

So, what's next for the Poison frontman? Designing a line of high-quality bandannas, perhaps?

Because if anyone can revive that fashion trend, it's him.

Mimi's Back

Huge first-day sales point to Mariah Carey grabbing the #1 spot on next week's Billboard charts with her new album, 'E=MC2'.

The disc, released yesterday, had estimated first-day sales of 154,000 -- more than five times the amount held by current queen-of-the-charts Leona Lewis.

It's the latest event in what's been a very good month for Mariah.

A few weeks ago, it was revealed that she had surpassed Elvis Presley in terms of most #1 singles. (With 18 #1's to her name, Mariah is two singles away from tying the Beatles, who hold the record with 20. )

Then, last night, she guest-starred on American Idol, giving the show some of its highest ratings of the season.

It's as if Mariah can do no wrong.

(Except for, you know, Glitter.)

Roundup: Album News

• Back to Basics: After Gwen Stefani's solo stint, No Doubt is officially back together in the studio and writing new material for the first time in years. A new album is expected in 2009. Fingers crossed that Gwen ditches the Harajuku girls for good and gets back to her ska-infused OC roots.
  
  
• A Praise Chorus x2: Jimmy Eat World is re-releasing the 2001 album that put them on the map: Bleed American. The new 2-disc edition features previously unreleased material, live recordings, and a brand-new track.
  
  
• Keeping it Consistent: Third time's a charm for Weezer, who has announced that their new self-titled album will hit shelves on June 17. For those keeping score: out of the six albums that they've released, this is the third time that they've named one -- what else? -- Weezer.

Power Pairing: Stones + Scorsese

In theaters this weekend is the latest of the big-screen rock-docs: 'Shine a Light.'

Director Martin Scorsese teams up with the The Rolling Stones, and the result is a film that is equal parts gorgeously choreographed cinema and raw, rapturous rock 'n' roll.

"The film marks a collision between two of pop culture's most stubbornly instinctive creative forces," writes Ty Burr of the Boston Globe.

"Jagger remains the Energizer Bunny of rock stars, a miracle of good genes, modern chemistry, or both. The voltage he exudes onstage is nothing less than astounding. Scorsese, by contrast, lays low after some pre-concert scenes in which we see him fretting comically about a missing set list."

"As Jagger is the ringmaster in front of the cameras, Scorsese is the maestro behind them. 'Shine a Light' isn't one of Scorsese's most personal projects, but could any other director have turned classic rock into something so intensely kinetic?"

Filmed over two performances at New York City's Beacon Theater in 2006, 'Shine a Light' features almost all of the Stones' staples -- 'Start Me Up', 'Satisfaction', 'Brown Sugar' -- in full, Jagger-strutting glory. Other classics are also given a fresh twist with the help of cameo duets from Buddy Guy, Jack White, and Christina Aguilera.

Local showtimes and tickets here.

New Kids (back!) on the Block

Time to break out those Jordan Knight plastic lunchboxes and Joey McIntyre pencil-toppers.

The New Kids are back in town.

Today, NKOTB released their first photo together in 15 years, above. (Note how they've traded in their parachute pants for slacks.)

And taking a page right out of the Spice Girls' playbook, they are expected to announce their official reunion tour this Friday, April 4, on NBC's 'The Today Show.'

Nevermind that the New Kids are all now in their mid-30's and 40's. Apparently, these boys are still hangin' tough.