Feb 14

Timbaland spins forthcoming album in LA
[source: NME.com] Timbaland previewed several tracks from his forthcoming album for a handful of people in Los Angeles on Monday.
The super-producer, who masterminded recent hits for Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, manned the console at the posh Thom Thom Club in Santa Monica.
He spun several songs from forthcoming album Shock Value, which features notable collaborators like Timberlake, Furtado, Jay-Z and MIA, as well as unexpected guests such as Fall Out Boy, The Hives, She Wants Revenge and Elton John.
"It's some different type of s##t," Timbaland told the invitation-only crowd. "It ain't just rap; it's some of everything."
Timbaland danced and rapped along with his songs, many of which have the catchy pop sensibility and rap call-and-response that have become trademarks of his style.
Encouraging the crowd to make some noise, he said, "You brought me out of the studio to do this, so I need to know you're all with me!".
The album's lead single, "Give It To Me", features vocals from Furtado and Timberlake alongside rapping from Timbaland.
Shock Value is due out on Tuesday March 27.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Timbaland.aspx


Iron Maiden to play India for first time
[source: NME.com] Iron Maiden will play in India for the first time on Saturday March 17 at Bangalore's Palace.
Last year's A Matter Of Life And Death rose to number two in the Indian charts, which is the highest ever position in India for any rock act.
Singer Bruce Dickinson said the band were all looking forward to visiting Bangalore.
"It's very special to us to be able to play to new fans in countries we've never been to before. We are crafting a special set to include songs from A Matter Of Life And Death and a load of other favourites."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Iron-Maiden.aspx


Giant Drag pay tribute to Madonna
[source: NME.com] Giant Drag and Devendra Banhart both feature on a forthcoming Madonna tribute album.
All proceeds from Through The Wilderness: A Tribute To Madonna will help fight AIDS in Africa.
A release date for the album has not been announced, although it is expected in spring.
The album also features Bat For Lashes and The Tyde.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Giant-Drag.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Madonna.aspx


Nine Inch Nails announce new album tracklisting
[source: NME.com] Nine Inch Nails have revealed the tracklisting for new album Year Zero.
Trent Reznor's band release the follow-up to 2005's With Teeth on Friday April 6.

Tracklisting:

"Hyperpower"
"The Beginning Of The End"
"Survivalism"
"The Good Soldier"
"Vessel"
"Me, I'm Not"
"Capital G"
"My Violent Heart"
"The Warning"
"God Given"
"Meet You Master"
"The Greater Good"
"The Great Destroyer"
"Another Version Of The Truth"
"In This Twilight"
"Zero-Sum"

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Nine-Inch-Nails.aspx


Jarvis Cocker to star in bird documentary
[source: NME.com] Jarvis Cocker will feature in BBC documentary Why Birds Sing.
The work is based on the book of the same name by musician and philosopher David Rothenberg, who argues birds sing for the sheer joy of it.
As well as Cocker, the film will feature Peter Gabriel, Beth Orton and Laurie Anderson.
The show will culminate in a "unique musical composition combining human music with birdsong". This will feature Gabriel, Guillemots and founder of the Afro-Celt Sound System, Simon Emmerson.
The 80-minute show will premiere on BBC4, though a transmission date has yet to be announced.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Pulp.aspx


Faith Hill burgled
US country music stars Faith Hill and husband Tim McGraw have lost valuable possessions after their Hollywood Hills mansion was burgled on the weekend.
The couple weren't present at the time of the intrusion, however police confirmed an unspecified amount of cash was stolen, along with goods belonging to the couple.
The married stars are currently planning their second major tour together: Soul2Soul 2007, which will head across the USA from early June until August.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Faith-Hill.aspx


Robbie Williams checks into rehab
British pop star Robbie Williams entered an un-named rehab facility in the US yesterday for a pills addiction.
Williams, 33, has openly discussed his fondness for dugs and alcohol in the past.
"Robbie Williams has been admitted into a treatment centre in America for his dependency on prescription drugs," the singer's spokeswoman, Bryony Watts, revealed. "There will be no further comment on this matter."
The former Take That singer had recently been the subject of tabloid fodder in the UK after American model Lisa d'Amato revealed details of their affair.
"It was clear he was struggling with his mind," she told British newspaper News Of The World.
"He doesn't drink, but he needs antidepressants to get him through the day. A lot of the time he seemed on edge."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Robbie-Williams.aspx


The B-52s: back in the studio
The B-52s introduced the world to hits such as "Rock Lobster" and "Love Shack" and now the Athens, Georgia outfit are back in the studio.
Singer Fred Schneider told local newspaper The Atlanta Journal the band were halfway into their seventh LP.
"The [Nickel And Dime studios] is where we started, so it just feels right to be making this record here," Schneider revealed.
In a post on the band's website, Kate Pierson discussed the songwriting process.
"The recording process is different these days with digital technology. But Keith wrote the music and then Cindy, Fred and I 'jammed' in our usual process of trying to make things flow. Then we listen and try to make sense of it all.
"We may pick out a chorus, then go for the verses. Or we might get a beginning and go from there. But we all participate in the process. Keith wrote some killer music and massive grooves, making it fun to jam and come up with crazy ideas."
The new LP is due to be released in winter.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/B-52s-The.aspx


Queen Latifah considers motherhood
Rapper, talk-show host and Hollywood actress Queen Latifah is applying to become a foster parent and insists she's more than ready to help disadvantaged children.
"I'm filling out the paperwork to be a foster parent, so maybe sometimes I can kinda just help out in that way – just when they need, like, an emergency placement and I happen to be home," she said.
Unlike other Hollywood mothers, she won't be looking to adopt a newborn from abroad.
"I wanna adopt an American baby… just because there are so many kids here that need our help," Latifah said.
"My sister's a social worker in Newark, New Jersey, and there are so many kids that could use a good home."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Queen-Latifah.aspx


Rabbi blasts Britney as a bad mother
Celebrity rabbi and New York spiritual leader Shmuley Boteach has condemned Britney Spears in an open letter to the star.
Worried that Britney's constant partying is damaging her two young children (Sean Preston and Jayden James), Boteach has urged the pop princess to spend more time at home… and wear underwear.
"Once you become a parent, Britney, life gets really serious," the rabbi wrote. "We can all pretend life is one big party devoid of responsibility. And rarely being home, or coming home drunk, or letting your kids see you in a degraded state, will permanently scar your kids. Soon your boys will be surfing the internet. They'll see a lot of photos of you in poses that no son should ever see their own mother…
"Try and be home with your kids, cover up, limit the visits to the nightclubs. I know you can get your life together, Britney. God bless you."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Britney-Spears.aspx