Later this month, Scott Weiland will reunite with Velvet Revolver for a one-off performance at a tribute concert for late ASCAP composer John O’Brien, as Blabbermouth reports. Set for January 12th at House of Blues in Hollywood, the concert will also feature performances by Adam Levine and James Valentine of Maroon 5, Sheryl Crow, Tom Morello, and a special appearance by Stephen Stills.

It’s been almost four years since the band split from Weiland. Since then, the band’s name has been attached to everyone from Lenny Kravitz to Chester Bennington to Corey Taylor, though they’ve yet to find a solid replacement. Weiland, on the other hand, has since been working with his ’90s outfit Stone Temple Pilots, who recently wrapped up last fall’s tour (which was originally postponed). So, who knows if this one-off will spark any new sounds, but stay tuned.

Some people see Christmas/Hanukkah/the Winter Solstice/Festivus as a time for family and friends and celebrating the inherent warmth and goodness in us all. Others view these as tired traditions, cooked up to fuel rampant consumerism and act as a means of torture by making you choose between frostbite and spending time with Uncle Maurice. And others just try to get by through the oceans of eggnog and terrible, terrible sweaters. But we here at CoS believe you don’t have to choose between being jolly and celebrating something earnest and true. While Santa Claus may be giving gifts of toys and goodies, we’re giving the gifts of hope and creativity with our annual Holiday Gift Guide. It’s way better than that fire truck you wanted for Xmas ’96.

Now you may be asking yourself, “How does just another list of items to buy offer up anything of any real value?” Well, children, come sit down by the fire as we weave our explanation like popcorn strings on a Christmas tree. It’s true that some of these music-related gifts are just fun or silly, like the Official DEVO Yellow Suit (page eight) or the Illustrated “Juicy” by Notorious B.I.G. (page seven). But the rest of the gifts, ranging from the Dinosaur, Jr. Cassette Trilogy (page two) to the Z.vex Effects Instant guitar petal (page nine) all have slightly more value than being great gag gifts (or to wear as kickin’ costumes next Halloween). These may be material goods, and sometimes overpriced material goods at that, but don’t forget what you’re ACTUALLY giving: music. Not just sounds or noise that are either enjoyable or total rubbish, but something that can reshape emotions and create new, life-altering experiences for someone.

By giving something like The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition DVD, you’re telling someone you love, “Hey, this could change your life for the better and make you see things in a whole new way.” That is the promise of music, why people obsess over it and try to cram every sound and every tiny detail and unimportant contextual nuance into a $17 DVD or a $140 box set or a $12 CD. It’s one gift that can actually make someone’s life better and spread honest-to-goodness cheer in a time of year when people cram boxes with meaningless ties and perfume sets that dilute the reason for the season. Music is the one thing that transcends all the junk of the holiday season, like a red-nosed reindeer through a blizzard, to get at the heart of why we celebrate in the first place: connecting with people on a truly deep, meaningful level and cherishing those aforementioned bonds.

So whether you’re buying for yourself or a loved one, take a good, hard look through our Holiday Gift Guide and see if you can spread a little ho-ho-happiness. That way, you’re giving someone special something unique that they could never find elsewhere. And if they re-gift it to you next year, then that’s cool too, right?

-Chris Coplan
News Editor

P.S. – From ours to yours, have a safe and prosperous holiday season.

P.P.S. – Be sure to bookmark our guide and check back often as we’ll be posting new ideas throughout the holiday season.

Box Sets

The Beach Boys: The Smile Sessions Box Set

What: The long-awaited “lost” Beach Boys album receives the lush, deluxe treatment reserved for the finest audiophiles. Over five CDs, two LPs, and two 7″ singles, SMiLE finally comes to life, featuring myriad session recordings, alternate takes, early demos, and the proposed unfinished album. The story continues with the set’s 60-page companion book, stuffed to both ends with lyrics, Frank Holmes drawings, unreleased photos, production notes, anecdotes from surrounding family and friends, and, naturally, liner notes by the band. Throw in a 24″ x 36″ poster and put it all in a three-dimensional shadow box lid…and it’s difficult to avoid smiling. -MR

Buy: Available now for $139.99 via Amazon.com.

Beastie Boys: Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2 Deluxe Edition

What: The legendary hip-hop trio repackages their 2011 album in a two-disc, deluxe edition set. Available on both DVD and Blu-ray, the set includes the long and short versions of the star-studded Fight For Your Right Revisited film, the Spike Jonze-directed music video “Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win”, and a 130-page hardback book featuring behind-the-scenes photos of the making of Fight For Your Right Revisited. Order through the group’s website and also receive a Stuyvesant Phys. Ed T-Shirt. -AY

Buy: Available November 25th exclusively at participating independent record stores as part of Record Store Day’s Black Friday promotion. A limited number of sets is also available for $88.98 via the group’s website.

The Dear Hunter: The Color Spectrum: The Complete Collection

What: The 36-tracks constituting the tremendous 9-EP undertaking The Color Spectrum from Casey Crescenzo’s band The Dear Hunter are collected here on three CDs. Also included is a DVD containing more than two hours of footage from Crescenzo’s country-spanning journey recording the effort with a variety of producers and fellow musicians. The final piece is a 52-page booklet of pictures, lyrics and insight about the collection. -BK

Buy: Available now digitally ($34.99) and on CD($24.69) via Amazon.com. Both the limited edition collection of nine colored vinyls and the deluxe wood box set have sold out, so good luck with that.

Dinosaur, Jr.: Cassette Trilogy

What: Limited to just 500 copies and encased in a custom wooden box, the set packs cassette copies of Dinosaur Jr.’s first three albums — 1985′s Dinosaur, 1987′s You’re Living All Over Me, and 1988′s Bug. In addition, the wooden box features the classic Dinosaur Jr. ‘monster’ artwork. -AY

Buy: Available now for $39 via Joyful Noise Recordings. Note: only 350 copies are available for purchase online, with the remaining 150 copies to be sold on the band’s December West coast tour.

The Doors: LA. Woman Singles Box

What: Billed as a “one-of-a-kind limited, serial-numbered box set” commemorating the 40th anniversary of The Doors’ landmark album, L.A. Woman Singles Box packs classic tracks “The Changeling”, “Riders on the Storm”, and “Love Her Madly”, backed with newly-discovered and never-before-heard alternate takes of each song, and a fourth single of never before-released studio banter. The box artwork also includes the original Messianic image of the naked woman nailed to the telephone pole used for the album’s inner sleeve. -AY

Buy: Available November 25th for $49.98 exclusively at participating independent record stores as part of Record Store Day’s Black Friday promotion.

Elvis Costello & The Imposters: The Return of the Spectacular Spinning Songbook!!!

What: Limited to just 1,500 copies, the set features a CD, DVD, and 10-inch vinyl EP of material from Elvis Costello’s two-night stint at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on May 11th and 12th, 2011. The CD comprises 16 tracks from both nights, the 10″ features four live cuts, and the DVD packs footage of the entire second night, including a special appearance from The Bangles. In addition to the music, the box set contains a 40-page hardcover book of photos, a diary from Costello detailing each gig, a 20″ x 30″ concert tour poster, a limited edition postcard, and a replica spinning wheel to play with at your discretion. -CC

Buy: Available December 6th for $268.29 via Amazon.com.

John Fahey: Your Past Comes Back to Haunt You

What: Like John Fahey?  Want to hear some of his earliest recordings, taped in a dingy basement in Frederick, MD?  Want to listen to hella-old reel-to-reel tapes of him drunkenly answering questions about his music and career interspersed between some insanely beautiful acoustic guitar playing? Well then, what better way to ring in the holiday spirit than six hours over 115 unearthed, remastered tracks of early John Fahey recordings over 5 discs, an 88-page book chronicling the legendary picker’s life, rare photographs of the guy, and some ill packaging?  Not much, not much. -DL

Buy: Available now for $69.56 via Amazon.com.

Leonard Cohen: The Complete Albums Collection 

What: The 18-disc box set compiles Leonard Cohen’s 17 studio and live albums, from his 1967 debut Songs of Leonard Cohen up to 2009?s live release Songs From the Road. Each CD in the set is remastered from original analogue master tapes and housed in a mini-LP replica jacket based on their original artwork. In addition, the package includes a 36-page booklet full of “discographical annotations and recording information, as well as a 1,300-word essay by Pico Iyer. -AY

Buy: Available now for $119.99 via Leonard Cohen Global Store. An 11-disc set compiling only his studio albums is also available for purchase.

Mickey Newbury: An American Trilogy

What: Mickey Newbury may just be one of country music most criminally-underheard artists. More closely related to artists like Leonard Cohen and Townes Van Zandt than Conway Twitty, Newbury’s soft songs are full of weighted emotion and beautiful lyrical imagery. A perfect introduction to a hidden gem, An American Trilogy box set collects arguably his three greatest albums from the late 1960s/early ’70s (It Looks Like Rain, ‘Frisco Mabel Joy, and Heaven Help the Child) as well as a fourth disc of rare demos and outtakes. -AT

Buy: Available now for $71.97 via Amazon.com. Vinyl editions of each disc are also available separately via Drag City’s online store.

Neutral Milk Hotel Vinyl Box Set

What: The vinyl-only box set comprises every single one of Neutral Milk Hotel’s albums and EPs along with some 15 unreleased tracks. Among the items included are the band’s two LPs (1996′s On Avery Island and 1998′s In the Aeroplane Over the Sea), a 7″ single of two never-before-released songs in “You’ve Passed” (b/w “Where You’ll Find Me Now”), another 7″ single of unreleased and live versions of “Little Birds”, a picture disk 7″ single of “Holland, 1945″, and a 10″ EP called Ferris Wheel on Fire featuring eight unreleased acoustic recordings. -CC

Buy: Available November 22nd for $88 via the band’s official website. All of the included tracks will also be available at a pay-as-you-please price via his Bandcamp account.

Pink Floyd Discovery Box Set

What: Fourteen albums. Sixteen CDs. One 60-page artwork booklet. From 1967′s The Piper at the Gates of Dawn up to 1994′s The Division Bell, this set collects it all, making it an absolute gem for any Pink Floyd fan, both new or old. So, if you’ve got a loved one begging to go on a trip, consider this your cheapest (and most worthwhile) option. See you on the other side. -MR

Buy: Available now for $178.99 via Amazon.com.

Phish: Hampton/Winston-Salem ’97

What: The long-awaited sound recordings of Phish’s first two-night stint at Hampton, VA’s Hampton Coliseum (aka the “Mothership”) from November 21st and 22nd of 1997, accompanied by the live recording of the band’s follow-up performance at Lawrence Joel Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC, on November 23rd. Re-mastered by Fred Kevorkian, the seven-CD box set contains all the music performed over those three nights (45 songs, over eight hours across seven discs), plus never-before-heard material from soundchecks at both venues. -DS

Buy: Available December 6th in various formats: 7-CD box set ($39.99), ALAC ($34.97), FLAC (34.97), and MP3 (26.87) via LivePhish.com.

Ray Charles: Singular Genius: The Complete ABC Singles

What: Containing the A and B-sides of 53 singles (that’s 106 songs) on five CDs, Ray Charles’ Singular Genius: The Complete ABC Singlesis exactly what it says it is. The box set holds every single Charles released while signed to ABC-Paramount Records between 1960 and 1972, a peak era for a musician who had finally found “mainstream” success. Out of the 106 digitally remastered tracks included, 21 will be having their first ever digital release, while 30 are debuting on CD. -BK

Buy: Available now on CD and digitally for $42.98 via Amazon.com.

Rivers Cuomo: The Pinkerton Diaries + Alone III

What: In 237 pages, The Pinkerton Diaries gives unparalleled insight into Rivers Cuomo’s mind from 1994 to 1997, the period in which Weezer’s landmark album Pinkerton was formed. Beginning on the day of The Blue Album’s May 10th ’94 release, the book collects Cuomo’s “journals emails, letters, photos and school papers” alongside “lyric notebooks, music compositions, and studio notes from the Pinkerton sessions.” First editions are hand numbered. The companion album, Alone III, contains 26 demos of both released and unrealized tracks, all recorded during the years recounted in the book. -BK

Buy: Set for a December 12th release, pre-orders are ongoing Cuomo’s website: book and CD for $75, and a premium pack with t-shirt, lithograph, and post-card set for $135.99.

Rush: Sectors

What: Compiling Rush’s 15-album, 14-year run on Mercury Records, the three separate six-disc box sets each include five chronological CDs and a 5.1 surround sound DVD. Sector 1 comprises the band’s 1974 self-titled debut and ends with their first live album, 1976′s All the World’s a Stage. Sector 2 features 1981′s Moving Pictures and 1977′s A Farewell to Kings, which also gets the DVD treatment. Sector 3 starts with 1982′s Signals and concludes with 1988′s double live album, A Show of Hands. Each Sector comes with a booklet of photos and lyrics, with all three boxes forming a Rush CD road case. –CC

Buy: Available November 21st, Sector 1, Sector 2, and Sector 3 each cost $48.46 via Amazon.com.

Sigur Rós: Inni

What: Directed by Vincent Morisset, Inni compiles footage of Sigur Rós’ 2008 performance at London’s Alexandra Palace, their final show before embarking on an indefinite hiatus. A limited deluxe edition set includes the film and a corresponding live album, a 7″ single featuring a previously unreleased cut called “Lúppulagid”, an exclusive and unique-to-each-box artefact from the show itself in a numbered, printed envelope a DVD of the 5-minute short “Klippa”, and more, all of which are packaged in a printed 7″ sized 4 panel slitpack. -AY

Buy: Available now for $79 via the band’s website. A standard edition, comprising just the film and the album, as well as a digital edition are also available.

 The Smiths Complete: Deluxe Box Set

What: In an effort to bankrupt every fan of The Smiths, Rhino Records UK has put together the ultimate box set for completists, vinyl enthusiasts, and, well, any self-respecting music fan. Titled The Smiths – Complete, the forthcoming package features remastered editions of The Smiths’ eight albums (by Johnny Marr, no less), both on CD and 180-gram audiophile vinyl, in addition to all 25 of the group’s singles on individual 7?. They also decided to throw in some prints, a few posters, and a DVD of the group’s music videos. Just remember, we’ve got a very long winter ahead of us. Best to plan accordingly. -MR

Buy: Available now for $499.98 via Rhino Records. CD or vinyl-only box sets are also available.

Sting: 25 Years

What: The four-disc set comprises 45 remastered tracks that were “personally curated by Sting”, in addition to Rough, Raw & Unreleased: Live At Irving Plaza, a previously unreleased live concert DVD. It’s all housed in a hardcover book containing intimate and rare photos from world renowned photographers, complete lyrics, personal commentary and a newly written introduction by Sting. -MR

Buy: Available now as a 3 CD/DVD set for $119.99 via Amazon.com.

U2: Achtung Baby: Uber Deluxe Edition

Buy: A box set which truly lives up to its name, the Uber Deluxe Edition of U2′s landmark album Achtung Baby packs six CDs, including the original album, the follow-up Zooropa, B-sides, and re-workings of previously unheard material recorded during the Achtung Baby sessions. Also squeezed in are four DVDs featuring the new Achtung Baby-focused documentary From The Sky Down, the concert film Zoo TV:Live From Sydney, and all the videos from Achtung Baby, in addition to bonus material. And if that weren’t enough, the set also includes the album’s five singles pressed on clear 7″ vinyl and packaged in their original sleeves, 16 art prints taken from the original album sleeve, an 84-page hardback book, a copy of Propagandamagazine, four badges, a sticker sheet, and, yes, a pair of Bono’s trademark glasses, with all of the above comes contained in magnetic puzzle tiled box. -AY

What: Available now for $434.99 via Amazon.com. A Super Deluxe Edition, a Deluxe Edition, a vinyl-only box set, and a standard CD release are also available.

The Who: Quadrophenia – The Director’s Cut

What: Spanning five discs and 60 tracks, the Quadrophenia box set includes a re-master of the original double album, 25 demos from Pete Townshend’s archives, including five songs not on the album that portray the original version of the Quadrophenia concept, an eight-track DVD titled The Quadrophenia 5.1, and a replica 7″ of the hit single “5.15″ (b/w “Water”). In addition to the music, the set also includes a 100-page hard-back book featuring a 13,000-word essay by Townshend that sheds light on the band during the album’s recording, as well as a track-by-track guide to the demos and studio diary entries. -CC

Buy: Available now for $143.99 via Amazon.com. Double vinyl and digital editions are also available.

Books

Love Goes to Buildings on Fire: Music Made New in New York City in the ’70s

What: Do you ever wish you could have experienced New York City in the ’70s? Maybe witness the birth of punk rock, loathe the spawn of disco, and get lost in all the in-betweens? Rolling Stone‘s senior critic Will Hermes takes you there; more specifically, from New Year’s Day 1973 to New Year’s Eve of 1977. It’s a first person account of one of the most culturally rich movements in music history, and it’s all for your leisurely reading. Better yet, you don’t need a Delorean to experience it. -MR

Buy: Available now for $18.81 via Amazon.com.

Moby: Destroyed

What: If you’re a popular DJ, you’re wanted. Everywhere. For nearly 30 years, Moby has hit the live circuit, traversing far and away to share his ambiant electronica. For his latest album, Destroyed, the vegan multi-instrumentalist put together an accompanying book of photography of the same name. With shots everywhere from Berlin to Sumatra to Minnesota to Budapest, Moby shares his sights, all to the soundtrack of his own latest sounds, which come packaged with the book. Who says you need Sky Miles these days? -MR

Buy: Available now for $26.37 via Amazon.com.

Pearl Jam: Pearl Jam Twenty

What: Remember the whole books on tape craze? Well, this is sort of the reverse of that. Help a loved one celebrate 20 years of grunge’s most enduring rockers with 384 pages (and 3.5 pounds) of exclusive photos, behind-the-scenes tales, interviews (with the band and their contemporaries), and assorted goodies (playlists, tour notes, and drawings). Besides, does he really need another flannel shirt?  -MM

Buy: Available now for $23.67 via Amazon.com.

Rock and Roll Always Forgets: A Quarter Century of Music Criticism

What: Writer Chuck Eddy collects various essays, reviews, and interviews in this anthology that spans over 30 years. As a writer for Village Voice, Rolling Stone, Creem, Spin, and Vibe, Eddy has interviewed everyone from the Beastie Boys to Robert Plant, Flaming Lips to Eminem’s grandmother. Widely considered one of the first critics of indie rock, Eddy’s collection of writing should easily find its way next to your Chuck Klosterman books. Hey, what do you know, good ol’ Chuck writes the foreword here, too. Consider that a more prominent endorsement than what we could ever make. -MR

Buy: Available now for $16.47 via Amazon.com.

Retromania: Pop Culture’s Addiction To Its Own Past

What: Sick of throwbacks? Sick of obscure 80′s references? Feel like retro-chic has transformed into retro-shit? Early on in Retromania, Simon Reynolds asks, ”Could it be that the greatest danger to the future of our music culture is … its past?” If you need a bead on how we digest pop-culture and pop-culture may be heading, this is the book. Required reading for tavern philosophers and micro-genre nerds. -JL

Buy: Available now for $12.24 via Amazon.

Unite and Take Over: Stories Inspired by the Songs of The Smiths

What: Who says all heroes have to wear tights? What about a sick hairdo and some pinstripes for the head? That’s all Morrissey works with – well, that and a seemingly endless supply of lyrical poetry. Using Kickstarter for funding, SpazDog Press publisher Shawn Demumbrum worked alongside some of his favorite comic book artists to bring a series of Smiths-influenced stories to paper. The end result is a 172-page graphic novel that spans 13 different stories, all of which stemmed from songs like “How Soon Is Now?”,”Cemetery Gates”, “Handsome Devil”, and more. Think of it this way: Wouldn’t Moz look pretty sweet sharing shelf space with The Long Halloween? The answer is a resounding yes. -MR

Buy: Available now for $14.99 via Corner Store Comics. Only 300 copies. Act fast.

Films

Adele: Live at the Royal Albert Hall

What: A 90-minute concert film and corresponding live album of Adele’s September 2011 performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The tracklist includes smash hits “Rolling in the Deep,” “Turning Tables,” and “Someone Like You” alongside covers of Bonnie Riatt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and the SteelDrivers’ “If It Hadn’t Been for Love”. In addition, the film packs previously unreleased behind-the-scenes footage. -CC

Buy: Available November 29th on DVD/CD ($13.99) and Blu-ray/CD ($21.99) via Amazon.com.

The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition

What: The three-disc set digs deep into Neil and Peggi Young’s annual charity concert, with appearances from Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkel, The Who, Band of Horses, Thom Yorke, Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, and many, many more musical elite. All profits from the release will go directly to The Bridge School. -CC

Buy: Available now on DVD ($19.99) via Amazon.com. A corresponding live album is also available.

Foo Fighters: Back and Forth

What: In April 1994, Kurt Cobain committed suicide, shocking the world and putting an end to one of the most vibrant acts in rock ‘n’ roll history. Out of its ashes, however, came an unlikely story: a raucous and catchy debut from the band’s shy drummer. Since the mid-’90s, Dave Grohl has been the amicable spokesman of the Foo Fighters, complete with his trademark grin. But, it hasn’t always been laughs and parties. In the group’s 16-year-long existence, the band has seen its share of turmoil, despite the goofy videos and no frills rock ‘n’ roll. Director James Moll’s 135 minute documentary, Back and Forth, captures this story with full details, interviewing not only its current members, but those of yesteryear. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll rock out. -MR

Buy: Available now on DVD ($16.99) and Blu-Ray ($20.99) via Amazon.com.

Kylie Minogue: Aphrodite Les Folies – Live in London

What: This holiday season, Kylie Minogue’s most extravagant (and successful) tour to date jumps off the stage and onto your HD television with Aphrodite Les Folies: Live in London, a two-hour concert CD/DVD recorded this past April at London’s O2 Arena. Directed by William Baker and Marcus Viner, the performance includes plenty of hits from Minogue’s back catalog, in addition to recent radio stompers off last year’s LP, Aphrodite. In addition to the concert film itself, the DVD and Blu-ray releases also feature an exclusive tour documentary. -MR

Buy: Available November 29th on DVD/CD ($20.25) and Blu-Ray ($29.49) via Amazon.com.

Peter Gabriel: New Blood: Live in London

What: New Blood: Live in London features concert footage filmed over two days at The Hammersmith Apollo during Peter Gabriel’s tour last spring. The setlist consists of 22 classics (“Wallflower”, “In Your Eyes”) and covers (Paul Simon’s “The Boy In The Bubble”, Regina Spektor’s “Après Moi”) backed by the 46-piece New Blood Orchestra. The film is offered on Blu-ray, DVD, and a 3D Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. A deluxe edition includes the DVD, regular Blu-ray, the New Blood double CD, plus the bonus Blood Donors documentary with an interview from Gabriel, all housed in 60-page hardcover photobook of over 200 pictures. -BK

Buy: Available now on DVD ($11.99), Blu-ray ($13.99), 3D combo pack ($24.99), and as deluxe edition ($89.99) via Amazon.com.

Pearl Jam: Pearl Jam Twenty

What: Cameron Crowe’s fascinating and intimate documentary on Pearl Jam’s 20 year-long history is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray. Chiseled down from over 1,200 hours of footage, some of which dates back to before the band’s inception, Pearl Jam Twenty offers an in-depth look into the legendary Seattle collective history, following the group through its many trials and tribulations. The standard release sports over 26 minutes of never-before-seen footage, while the deluxe release – available only via Ten Club (and currently sold out) – comes packaged as a three-disc set, featuring Crowe’s original cut of the documentary (The Kids Are Twenty) and an 80-minute fan film (The Fans Are Alright). Good luck. -MR

Buy: Available now on DVD ($17.99) and on January 3rd for Blu-Ray ($14.99) via Amazon.com. The deluxe edition, while sold out over at Pearl Jam’s Ten Club, is available for a range of prices ($150-250) via Ebay.com.

Radiohead: The King of Limbs: Live From the Basement

What: Originally released as a 55-minute television broadcast in Summer 2011, The King of Limbs: Live From the Basement sees Radiohead performing eight track from The King of Limbs in addition to three previously unreleased cuts (“Staircase”, “The Daily Mail”, and “Supercollider”). The DVD’s physical release also includes a 32-page book, featuring photographs by Steve Keros. -AY

Buy: Available in early 2012 on DVD (£ 16.00) and Blu-ray (£ 26.00) via the band’s website. Both editions include a digital download available beginning December 19th.

Talking Heads: Chronology [Deluxe Edition]

What: Follow David Byrne and Talking Heads from CBGB to their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction with this career-spanning collection of 18 live performances. Extras include audio commentary by all four band members, the band’s 1979 appearance on The South Bank Show, and a 1978 interview with Byrne. The deluxe edition is packaged in a hardback cover and includes a 48-page photo and essay book. -MM

Buy: Available now on DVD ($22.49) via Amazon.com.

Tickets

Jeff Mangum

What: Reclusive no more, Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeff Mangum will follow up an acclaimed fall tour with another leg of U.S. tour dates starting January 18th. -AY

Buy: Tickets are now available via Neutral Milk Hotel’s website and Seat Geek.

Primavera Sound

What: Considered one of Europe’s premiere alternative music festival, Bareclona’s Primavera Sound returns in 2012 with a lineup led by Jeff Mangum, Björk, Guided By Voices, Yo La Tengo, and many more. -AY

Buy: Festival tickets are now available for 160 € (+ booking fee) via the festival’s website.

Radiohead

Photo by Nate Slevin

What: Their first tour in three years, Radiohead will hit the road in support of The King of Limbs beginning February 27th. Speaking recently with the BBC, guitarist Ed O’Brien admitted that the band has intentionally chosen to play indoor venues in order to maintain the intimacy of their latest album. “The record, which has a lot of detail in it, it needs to sonically be in a space where the music is loud, strong, and detailed.” O’Brien also added that the tour’s setlist will be comprised mostly of material from The King of Limbs and their 2008 album In Rainbows. -AY

Buy: Tickets are now available via Radiohead’s website and Seat Geek.

Rammstein

What: It might not sound like your standard holiday gift, but Rammstein’s live performance is something of legend — X-Rated legend. Prepare yourself for German heavy metal, insane pyrotechnics, and a giant male, uh, apparatus spraying, uh — well, you get it. The month-long trek kicks off April 20th. -AY

Buy: Tickets are now available via Rammstein’s website and Seat Geek.

Roger Waters: The Wall

What: Already one of the highest grossing tours in history, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters will bring The Wall back to North America beginning May 1st. The production for the trek will feature a 40-foot-wide by 35-foot wall between the audience and the stage itself that is slowly knocked down as the concert progresses. Musically, Waters will be accompanied by an eight-piece band and three backing vocalists. -AY

Buy: Tickets are now available via Waters’ website and Seat Geek.

South by Southwest

What: Though one of the more pricier tickets you’ll ever buy, a badge to South by Southwest earns access to over a thousand bands, films, and panels. Last year’s edition featured performers ranging from Foo Fighters, Kanye West, and Queens of the Stone Age to Odd Future, Wild Flag, and Shabazz Palaces. -AY

Buy: Multiple types of badges are now available via the festival’s website.

Weezer Cruise

What: It’s a 4-day music festival (January 19-23) on a cruise trip from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico, headlined and curated by Weezer. If that alone doesn’t make it a “best gift” guarantee, performances from Dinosaur Jr., Gene Ween and Dave Dreiwitz, Wavves, Yuck, The Antlers and more certainly make it a contender. Add in special events and activities hosted by the individual members of Weezer and many of the other acts, and you’ve got yourself a winner. -BK

Buy: Tickets and accommodations range from $599 to $2,499 (plus $179 in taxes and fees), depending on room selection and number of people. Special 4 and 5-pack deals are available on select decks for $499 a head.

Wild Flag

What: Wild Flag — the all-female, indie-rock supergroup comprised of former Sleater-Kinney members Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss, ex-Helium frontgirl Mary Timony, and former Minders keyboardist Rebecca Cole — returns to the road beginning March 30th. -AY

Buy: Tickets are now available via Merge Record’s website and Seat Geek.

Holiday Music

Gruff Rhys: Atheist Xmas EP

What: Christmastime is when we’re all supposed to feel the warmth of hope and goodness swell inside our hearts. However, Super Furry Animals frontman/solo act extraordinaire Gruff Rhys had a different sentiment in mind with his EP Atheist Xmas. The collection is described as “an unholy trinity of three turkey-free new tracks for the festive season”, with the track “Post Apocalypse Christmas” seeing Rhys re-imagine Christmas “through the semi-melted eyes of a nuclear holocaust survivor”. It truly is the most wonderful time of year, isn’t it? -CC

Buy: Available on December 20th as a digital download via Amazon.com. A 12″ single version is also available through Rhys’ website.

John Zorn: A Dreamer’s Christmas

What: With seven classic tracks and two originals, avant-garde jazz musician John Zorn puts his unique touch on the Christmas soundtrack with A Dreamers Christmas. Eccentric as always, the MacArthur Genius joined with a variety of his frequent collaborators to jazz-up “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”, “Winter Wonderland”, and others. Faith No More singer Mike Patton even lends his voice to a captivating rendition of “The Christmas Song”. This is not your grandpa’s holiday record. -BK

Buy: Available now on CD ($13.11) and vinyl ($35.80) via Amazon.com.

She & Him: A Very She & Him Christmas

What: The 12-track compilation sees Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward taking on seminal holiday classics like “Blue Christmas”, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”. Select packages also include exclusive She & Him mittens and winter cap, and are wrapped in She & Him wrapping papper. A portion of the proceeds benefit 826 National. -AY

Buy: Available now on CD and vinyl in various packages via the band’s website. A digital version is also available.

Scott Weiland: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

What: On The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, the Stone Temple Pilots frontman cuts deep and finds his inner Sinatra, bringing us snow and eggnog, while snapping out oldies like “Silent Night” or “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”. -MR

Buy: Available now on CD ($9.99) via Amazon.com. A digital version is also available.

This Warm December – A Brushfire Holiday, Volume 2 

What: This Warm December – A Brushfire Holiday Vol. 2 features 13 tracks from artists on and friends of Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records. It includes originals (Jack Johnson’s “In The Morning”, G. Love’s “Christmas Cookies”) as well as renditions of a few classics (“Jingle Bell Rock” from Rogue Wave, Zee Avi’s “Frosty the Snowman”). 25% of profits go to charities focused on youth musical education, including Little Kids Rock and The Silverlake Conservatory. It’s like two gifts in one. -BK

Buy: Available now on CD ($11.99) via Amazon.com. A vinyl edition is also available via the label’s website.

Custom Crafts & Art

Band T-Shirts from Lost Records

What: Not just any band t-shirts, but Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Albert Ayler Trio, Sun Ra, The Sonics, 13th Floor Elevators, Gun Club, The Mummies, The Pixies, My Bloody Valentine, Tommy Boy Records, 4AD Records, et effing cetera. Next best thing to seeing Television at CBGB’s is getting a shirt that looked like you saw them there. -JL

Buy: Available now for $14.99 via Lost Records Etsy Store

Rap/R&B Votive Candles

What: If your God is Based, you best have a candle for him, and you should always keep Aaliya in your memories. Plus, I can’t think of anything better than a votive candle that says  “I Think I’m Big Meech” with Rick Ross on it. Other options for hip hop devotions include R. Kelly, Nicki Minaj, Ghostface Killah, and Left Eye (not pictured). -JL

Buy: Available now, $9 for one, or $15 for two plus shipping and handling via Moneyworth’s Etsy Store.

The Illustrated “Juicy” by Notorious B.I.G.

What: Ok, so while on Moneyworth’s Etsy page, I came across this, which is a hand-drawn picture book of the song “Juicy” by The Notorious B.I.G. And the cover, that’s a color Coogi-print. For real. -JL

Buy: Available now for $13 at Moneyworth’s Etsy Store.

Ridiculous/Fun

The Flaming Lips: Silver Trembling Fetus Ornament

What: Back again for a third year, The Flaming Lips present the ornament any fan knows they want hanging from their tree. Measuring just about 3-inches tall, this silver pewter fetus comes in a custom box, making it the perfect stocking stuffer. Unless the person has some uncomfortable feelings about fetuses, especially those stuffed into stockings. . . -BK

Buy: These quirky little fellas are available through the FLips website for $30.

Mastodon: The Hunter Mask

What: Take care of next year’s Halloween costume 11 months early with The Hunter Mask. Inspired by the cover of Mastodon’s recent LP of the same name, these 100% custom makes are made from a thick plastic and were assembled locally in the Los Angeles area by a special effects company. According to the band, they’re also “very comfortable.”  -AY

Buy: Available now for $39.99 via the band’s website.

My Keepon – Interactive Robot

What: Need a pal to keep you company while you dance alone? Look no further than My Keepon. Developed by Wow! Stuff and Beatbots, My Keepon is a cute, yellow dancing fiend, who grooves to any sort of tune – especially Spoon. You’ll never get the same performance twice. Some may argue science could be better utilized today, but whatever. The scientists definitely got this one right. -MR

Buy: Available now for $55.95 via Amazon.com.

My Chemical Romance: Danger Days Jackets

What: On their most recent record, Danger Days, My Chemical Romance takes on the persona of their alter-egos, the Fabulous Killjoys. Now you too can dress like Jet Star (guitarist Ray Toro), Fun Ghoul (guitarist Frank Iero), Kobra Kid (bassist Mikey Way), or Party Poison (frontman/singer Gerard Way) with these replica jackets. Each jacket is based on designs seen in the videos for “Sing” and “Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)”. -BK

Buy: The Party Poison jackets are currently sold out, but the others are all available on My Chemical Romance’s website for $89.99 to $99.99.

The Official DEVO Yellow Suit

What: “Protect yourself from dangerous human elements and stay cool during meltdowns in this official DEVO Yellow Suit.” An exact replica of the suits worn onstage by DEVO, right down to the material quality. Comes in two pieces, jacket and pants, plus an adjustable elastic belt. Please note, it most likely won’t protect you from a real nuclear emergency, but you should be safe if there’s a meltdown at your next costume party. -BK

Buy: Available online at the Club DEVO store for $49.99 (XL and Jumbo sizes only). For $32.00, finish off the ensemble with an Energy Dome hat (currently only available in blue).

“Stairway to Heaven” Ladder

What: Salvation is made simple this holiday season thanks to award-winning designer Arthur Analts’ literal take on Led Zeppelin’s most famous song. The limited edition (only 99 made), aluminum “Led Zeppelin” ladder is intended for both practical and decorative use, and various colors and customized engraving options are available. This gift is perfect for reaching paradise or even for just getting those bedroom linens off the top closet shelf. -MM

Buy: Inquire at Analts’ website.

Young Money Prepaid Discover Card

What: Consider yourself a Young Money/Cash Money Billionaire? Tired of lugging around those one hundred bills in your back pocket? Then consider the latest venture from Lil Wayne. The Young Money pre-paid debit card is essentially your standard card, with direct deposit and online billing options. However,  unlike those emblazoned with company logos or fanciful unicorns, you can rep YMCMB in style with its massive branding on top of a sleek red background. It may be the fiscally responsible move, but it will also complicate things the next time you make it rain. -CC

Buy: Apply for your very own card here.

Practical

Gift Certificates

C’mon. Who doesn’t love getting these? Sure, it’s essentially saying, “Yeah, I didn’t really care to listen to you all year, but I know you dig this. So have fun,” but if you write a convincing and loving card to go with it, it’s not so bad. Plus, deep down inside, we’re screaming, “Thank god it wasn’t an IOU for a meal or dinner.” (Don’t you just love being an isolated cynic?) So, if you’re drawing a blank this season, but know you’re friend digs music. You might want to pick up a gift certificate for: InSound, iTunes, or a local record store like Chicago’s Reckless Records, for instance. It may be a piece of plastic to you, but it’s a cherished vinyl, CD, or experience for someone else. -MR

Guitar Pedals

Know a pedalhead who’s getting bored with the vanilla variety of fuzzes, compressors a wahs that are clogging space on their board? Do they like their tones a li’l bit freaky, or even balls-to-the-wall weird? Luckily for these jaded guitarists, several new stompboxes have hit the market that are doing some pretty cool stuff in relatively new ways. Below you’ll find a few suggestions for the perfect effects pedals to brighten their holiday season.

Ravish Star

What: Is your band looking to add a distinctive Eastern flavor to their songs, but have no room in the station wagon for an additional large, unwieldy instrument? Electro-Harmonix’s new Ravish Sitar pedal does an admirable job of transforming your guitar tone into a convincing sitar sound. If your interests extend beyond just a more accurate cover version of “Norwegian Wood”, the wide range of knobs, inputs and presets loaded into this pedal offer up lots of interesting drone possibilities. -AT

Buy: Available now for $239.25 at GuitarCenter.com, or demo the pedal at your local Electro-Harmonix dealer.

Z.vex Effects Instant

What: Ever want to capture the supercharming, lo-fi tone of bands like Guided By Voices, Sebadoh or Ariel Pink, but have been stumped because the quality of your gear is just too damn high? Well, fear no more – Z.Vex Effects has got you covered with their Instant Lo-Fi Junky. Combining a compressor and vibrato, you can kick on the pedal to provide awashed-out, warped cassette tape sound in real time. It’s just what you need to surf the chillwave craze before it crashes into the shore! -AT

Buy: Available now for $219 via Amazon.com, or try the unit out for yourself at your local Z.Vex dealer.

Satan Oscillate My Metallic Sonatas

What: For the noise freaks who prefer their shit to be just plain crazy, the always-intriguing Dwarfcraft is introducing the Satan Oscillate My Metallic Sonatas pedal (shortened from its incredibly-badass palindrome form simply to SOMMS). This one pedal features four different oscillators: one pulses, one drones, and two more are controlled by a joystick, so you can mix your crazy synth soundcrafting with the simple pleasures of playing an Atari 2600. Don’t even play guitar, but want to get in on the noisy action? The SOMMS features input/output jacks so it can be fed through a pedalboard, but can also be played as an independent instrument. -AT

Buy: The SOMMS will begin shipping this month and will sell for $275. Please inquire with your local Dwarfcraft dealer.

Rocksmith

What: Rhythm music games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band are great and all, but they mostly boil down to so much bashing of colored buttons. Rocksmith takes the next step, dumps the peripherals and lets players plug in a real guitar, allowing them to actually learn how to play the instrument while they enjoy the game. An included 6.35mm-to-USB cable enables you to plug right in and jam to songs from The Black Keys, David Bowie, The Dead Weather, Muse, and tons more, with downloadable content increasingly added.-BK

Buy: The game is available for $77.99 on Xbox 360 and PS3, with the PC version going for $79.96, all from Amazon. A bundle including a starter guitar is available, if you’re willing to search for it.

Sennheiser HD595 Dynamic High Grade Performance Premiere Headphones

What: The Maybach of headphones – nonpareil. Its double-take price tag makese these hard to stomach for a personal purchase, but make an amazing gift for a lifetime. Plug it in to your receiver and put on The Band or The Bends and hear the fidelity blow your mind. -JL

Buy: Available now for $249.09 via Amazon.

Spotify Premium Membership

What: If you walk by someone’s desk at work and wonder what’s up with their Spotify and why its covered in ads, it’s cause they probably forgot they can turn them off and get increased sound quality when they buy the premium membership. And, when you buy the $9.99 a month option, you get all of Spotify’s bounty on your iPhone or Android. -JL

Buy: Well, they don’t have gift cards available in America yet, so just tell your giftee to scoot over and you’ll put it on your card (via Spotify).

We’re about a week and some change away from Halloween, a buck-and-a-half from Thanksgiving, but hey, if there’s a Scott Weiland Christmas album to be had, then by all means: Let’s go nuts! Titled The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, the Stone Temple Pilots frontman cuts deep and finds his inner Sinatra, bringing us snow and eggnog, while snapping out oldies like “Silent Night” or “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”. We’re not there mentally just yet, but go visit Walgreens in a couple of weeks, and you’ll sure be in the festive mood. In the meantime, if you’re just curious, check out the stream at SPIN.

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year, which has actually been in the works for a couple years, finally hits stores October 25th (via Rhino).

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year Tracklist
01. The Christmas Song
02. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
03. White Christmas
04. Silent Night
05. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
06. What Child Is This?
07. Winter Wonderland
08. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
09. Happy Christmas And Many More
10. O Holy Night

Aside from a few remaining Stone Temple Pilots tour dates (placed conveniently below), rocker Scott Weiland seemingly doesn’t have much in the way of revenue-generating ventures in progress. With Velvet Revolver going in another direction and last year’s Christmas album not in stores until this Xmas, there’s only one solution: suckle off the teat of rock’s biggest names with a covers compilation.

According to Antiquiet, the blandly-titled A Compilation Of Scott Weiland’s Cover Songs sees Weiland tackling tracks by some big-name musical heavyweights, including Radiohead, The Beatles, David Bowie, The Stone Roses, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, and The Flaming Lips. Mr. Weiland apologizes now if most of the tracks end up sounding the same.

The entire package is available to download for a mere $15 (that’s more than what his memoir is going for on Amazon). For those in need of a preview of Weiland’s homages, check out the stream of STP covering The Beatles’ “Revolution” back in 2001. The album’s tracklist can be found immediately underneath that.

Stone Temple Pilots – “Revolution” (Beatles cover)

A Compilation Of Scott Weiland’s Cover Songs Tracklist:
01. I Am The Resurrection (Stone Roses)
02. Personality Crisis (New York Dolls)
03. Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle (Nirvana)
04. Let Down (Radiohead)
05. Into Your Arms (The Lemonheads)
06. Dead Flowers (The Rolling Stones)
07. Waiting For Superman (The Flaming Lips)
08. Revolution (The Beatles)
09. But Not Tonight (Depeche Mode)
10. Reel Around The Fountain (The Smiths)
11. Fame (David Bowie)
12. Jean Genie (David Bowie)

Stone Temple Pilots 2011 Tour Dates:
09/02 – Virginia Beach,VA @ 5th Street Stage
09/04 – Rockford, IL @ On The Waterfront
09/07 – Niagara Falls, NY @ The Rapids Theatre
09/08 – Orillia, ON @ Casino Rama
09/10 – Newark, NJ @ New Jersey Performing Arts Center
09/11 – Albany, NY @ Palace Theatre
09/13 – Cincinnati, OH @ Taft Theatre
09/14 – Louisville, KY @ Iroquois Amphitheater
09/16 – Council Bluffs, IA @ Harrah’s
09/17 – Concho, OK @ Lucky Star Casino
09/24 – Las Vegas, NV @ Pearl Concert Theater at Palms

That brings us to Velvet Revolver, the paradigm of supergroups. Made up of Guns N’ Roses members and fronted by STP’s Scott Weiland, the band is currently trying to find a new, possibly less-super singer now that Weiland is back with Stone Temple Pilots (supergroups should always have a problem staying together, with everyone being so damned super). But that won’t stop them all from trying to cash in on your Christmas shopping dollars with a live DVD, recorded back in the golden age of 2005. Live In Houston is due out in November and will feature 12 songs, a mixed bag of the members’ “classic” tunes with their old bands, and “original” material. Somewhere Scott Weiland is laughing hysterically, wondering how he gets money for doing absolutely nothing.

If you have a mildly antisocial cousin who likes to play those Call of Duty games and whose sexuality is the subject of debate (not because he is effeminate, but because you have never heard about him dating anyone), this might be the perfect gift!

Live In Houston Tracklist:
01. Sucker Train Blues
02. Do It For The Kids
03. Headspace
04. Crackerman
05. Illegal I
06. It’s So Easy
07. Fall To Pieces
08. Big Machine
09. Set Me Free
10. Used To Love Her
11. Slither
12. Sex Type Thing

The news comes from the BostonHerald.com‘s recent interview with Slash, who went on to note that before Weiland was ever chosen, Sorum had wanted to nab Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy. They considered Kennedy again shortly after Weiland’s departure, but because Velvet Revolver is a “24-hour-a-day project and Kennedy is still committed to Alter Bridge,” Slash didn’t “want to be the guy responsible for breaking up a band.”

No word yet on details of auditions, but we will keep you posted. As for expectations for their new frontman, per usual, Slash is once again acting pretty cavalier, saying “…we’ll find someone. Maybe not somebody known, but some kind of local hero.” Like a Charlie Daniels-esque virtuoso?

As always, stay tuned for more news as it’s announced. Also, in case you don’t get this job, you can always play bass for Jane’s Addiction.

The record will contain traditional, jazz-style arrangements. When we say traditional, we’re talking strings, upright bass, jazz horns, and piano. “I’m picking various versions of these songs because they’ve been covered so many times,” said Weiland.

While most of the LP won’t deviate much from what’s well-known, he is throwing some twists in too, such as a reggae adaptation of “Little Drummer Boy.” One or two secular songs will also be included.

This isn’t the first time Weiland has dabbled in music for the holidays. Last year, he surprised many by releasing a cover of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” as a single. No word on a release date for the album but if I were you, I’d put my money on December. Just a hunch.

His latest move, as we told you last month, is to record an album of classic guitar rock covers. Sounds harmless until you get a load of the guest vocalists.

We’re talking brutal: Scott Stapp, Pat Monahan, Chris Daughtry, and Gavin Rossdale are some of the new breed he’s chosen to handle classics by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Van Halen, Def Leppard, and more. Where’s Michelle Branch when you need her?

Other potential crimes against music include Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach doing “Smoke on the Water”, Chester Bennington and Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek on “Riders on the Storm” (hard to believe Manzarek was sober when he agreed to this), and Nas joining the effort for a cover of AC/DC’s “Back in Black” (WTF?).

However, there are a few intriguing selections. Chris Cornell has been tapped for Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”, and india.arie and Yo-Yo Ma are unlikely to butcher “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” — in fact, Olivia Harrison told Carlos Santana, “Listening to the song, it made me jump for joy and cry at the same time.” And hey, good things happen when Rob Thomas and Santana work together, so “Sunshine of Your Love” has potential.

It’s nothing to get worked up over — just a guy playing some songs with some expensive friends (or at least some names nabbed from a 2007 Top 40 chart). But this concept could’ve been handled brilliantly. How about Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hütz doing “Free Bird”? Is there anyone in the world who wouldn’t buy the album on the strength of that track alone?

The tracklist is still in its working stage, so there’s still hope. The album, co-produced by longtime Santana collaborator Clive Davis, is called Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time and comes out September 21st on Arista Records.

Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time Working Tracklist:
Whole Lotta Love – featuring Chris Cornell (Led Zeppelin)
Sunshine Of Your Love – featuring Rob Thomas (Cream)
Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’ – featuring Scott Weiland (The Rolling Stones)
Dance the Night Away – featuring Pat Monahan (Van Halen)
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – featuring india.arie and Yo-Yo Ma (The Beatles)
Bang A Gong – featuring Gavin Rossdale (T. Rex)
Smoke On the Water – featuring Jacoby Shaddix (Deep Purple)
Photograph – featuring Chris Daughtry (Def Leppard)
Back In Black – featuring Nas (AC/DC)
Little Wing – featuring Joe Cocker (Jimi Hendrix)
Riders On the Storm – featuring Chester Bennington and Ray Manzarek (The Doors)
I Ain’t Superstitious – featuring Jonny Lang (Howlin’ Wolf, Jeff Beck Group)
Fortunate Son – featuring Scott Stapp (Creedence Clearwater Revival)

As it turns out, Weiland’s departure may actually be a bit of a blessing creatively for the band. The new material the band worked on after its tour, without Weiland’s influence, was more in line with Slash and company’s original intent.

“It’s a lot heavier than what Velvet Revolver has put out, so I’m dying to put out the quintessential Velvet Revolver record,” Slash said. “When Duff and Matt and I first got together, we wrote a ton of material that never saw the light of day, and that was all very heavy. It’s definitely our natural way of doing things. But when we started working with Scott, we started to lighten things up a lot, and we progressively got lighter. As much as I love the two records we did do, one of the things that was progressively more and more frustrating was the direction the band took.”

And while the new and improved Revolver is without a singer, Slash confirmed the band would, in fact, find a new singer, someone “who can front that band and not something we have to conform to.” So, when can we expect this harder Revolver? How does sometime next year work for you?

“I’ve been doing this record (his solo album), and there’s a tour and Duff’s been playing with Jane’s Addiction, so everybody has been pretty busy,” Slash said. “But at some point early next year, we’re going to reconvene and take a good serious look at everything that we’ve got.”

As always, stay tuned for more news.

“[We] just finished mastering our new album… And we’ll be playing SXSW in March, with a few more dates. And then we go to Europe to play all the big festivals in the early summer. [Then we'll] come back with our own festival we’re putting together.”

— Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland (via Spinner) details his band’s plans for the remainder of 2010. We already knew about the new studio album, but a trip to Austin comes as a surprise (Then again, Courtney Love is also scheduled to attend.) No word on any of the other aforementioned details — but a STP festival? #11?

First we are going to rummage through Kanye’s closet. His items up for bid include some unique one-of-a-kind sneakers and a shirt, both signed by Ye himself. All proceeds go to the Kanye West Foundation, which provides support to childhood arts and creativity programs as well as after school programs. Click here if you are feeling lucky and charitable.

Once we are done ransacking Kanye’s closet, let us head over to Scott Weiland’s. A little more variety, featuring plenty of signed and some unsigned items, including a Dean Acoustic guitar. Personally I’m digging the red velvet Gucci blazer signed by Weiland. All proceeds go to the ArchAngel Organization, which supports his brother’s family. His brother, Michael Weiland died in 2007 after a long battle with drug addiction. See the auction here.

Last but not least is what Coldplay is calling their “end of decade clearance sale”. Everything must go, essentially ten years of accumulated stuff that is either signed by the band or accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. This auction is in support of Kids Company, which helps youths in need throughout London. No word yet on what items will be up for grabs, but check out the teaser below. Get ready to bid starting on December 17th.

According to the band’s official website, the yet-to-be-titled effort is due out in the Spring of 2010. However, a legal battle between STP and label Atlantic Records over whether Weiland and Co. are free agents or not could delay the release. You know, because nothing is easy when it comes to this band.

Stone Temple Pilots are expected to return to the road following the release of the album. Find their remaining tour dates below.

Stone Temple Pilots 2009 Tour Dates:
11/07 – Victoria, BC @ Save on Foods Memorial centre
11/09 – Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place
11/11 – Edmonton, AB @ Shaw Conference Centre
11/14 – Regina, SK @ Brandy Centre
11/15 – Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre
11/19 – London, ON @ Labatt Centre
11/21 – Kingston, ON @ K-Rock Centre
11/23 – Moncton, NB @ Moncton Coliseum
11/24 – Halifax, NS @ Halifax Metro Centre

Yes, folks, not only are Weiland and Co. still together following their 2008 reunion, but they’re actually living up to their previous promise of a new studio album.

Details still remain a bit sketchy, but the band plans to hit the studio in early 2010, following the remaining dates of its currently ongoing North American tour. Back in May, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that STP has written 18 songs and will team up with Producer Don Was for the album, which of course will mark the band’s first new release since 2001’s Shangri-La Dee Da.

So, get those last few spins of Happy in Galoshes in while you can.

Stone Temple Pilots 2009
11/07 – Victoria, BC @ Save on Foods Memorial centre
11/09 – Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place
11/11 – Edmonton, AB @ Shaw Conference Centre
11/14 – Regina, SK @ Brandy Centre
11/15 – Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre
11/19 – London, ON @ Labatt Centre
11/21 – Kingston, ON @ K-Rock Centre
11/23 – Moncton, NB @ Moncton Coliseum
11/24 – Halifax, NS @ Halifax Metro Centre
12/29 – Biloxi, MS @ Hard Rock Live
01/01 – Thackerville, OK @ WinStar Casino

As 2009 approaches, we are only days away from when Hanukkah Harry, Kwanzabot, and Paul Giamatti’s character from that shitty Vince Vaughn movie come and bestow gifts upon us. This means one thing, year end recaps and best of lists. Oh, this is definitely my favorite time of the year.

Personally speaking, 2008 blew for music. If it wasn’t for the last bastion of respectable music coverage, we would have probably all killed ourselves. We all owe TRL a big debt of gratitude. Unfortunately, that seems to have gone awash, as well.

Don’t believe me? Let’s turn around and trace our steps some. If you search on Wikipedia for “2008 in music,” the first entry Face to Face’s reunion announcement. That’s how special 2008 was for music, right? Wrong. Face to Face fans with an internet connection aside, actual shit happened this year. We learned that System of a Down isn’t going to reform and the Grammys continue to happen, both sad things. Furthermore, Erykah Badu made a comeback, Def Leppard and The Eagles went on tour and Scott Weiland left Velvet Revolver. A tree fell in the woods; no one heard it or cared. However, on April 5th, the newly reunited Face to Face performed in Irvine, CA. God Bless America!

Let’s continue, though…

Did you know Mariah Carey is officially only two #1 singles behind The Beatles for all time? This is cataclysmic news because I realized that my grandchildren will have framed posters of the album cover Butterfly. And you know what, I’m fucking happy about it. Who in the world didn’t enjoy the video for “Honey”? I will go on record and say Butterfly is our generation’s Sgt. Pepper. (Editor’s Note: Please folks, flame away!) This seminal album, or masterpiece as it will be known for years to come, set the stage for the Shakespearean drama that is Mariah Carey. Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, she fought for her independence, grew as a musician, had a meltdown, left in exile, etc, etc.

On the flipside however, in 2008, Carey fought and clawed her way to the top, battling the likes of T-Pain and Leona Lewis to take the number one spot like all great champions before her did. Just like Air Jordan, Napoleon Bonaparte, Jackie Brown, and Ted Dibiase before her, Mariah Carey is a people’s champ. She has furthered music to almost unfathomable levels and she will overtake The Beatles’ record for most #1 singles within a decade. Welcome to the future everyone.

So, what else happened?

Oh, that Scott Weiland character didn’t leave the former Guns empty handed, as he left and rejoined the Stone Temple Pilots. You probably didn’t know that Donna Summer had a number one song again, but you might have bought Madonna’s leventh, yes eleventh, album. (She also turned 50!) A second tree fell in the woods. Donna Summer and Scott Weiland smoked it, no one cared.

This is when things get “crazy”…

The shitty mayor of Los Angeles got a whole heck of a lot better when he proclaimed April 15th as Mariah Carey Day. From April 25th to April 27th, the Empire State Building was lit up in lavender, pink, and white in celebration of Mariah Carey’s achievements in the field of music. A world rejoiced as the two leading epicenters for music in modern day America saw eye to eye, or face to face, in their appreciation of the musical titan, “Mariah.”

Meanwhile, The Offspring eleased an album, David Cook won season 7 of American Idol, and Westlife (who?) celebrated ten years of music making. A third tree fell in the woods, it killed 3 and injured 4, and again… no one cared.

Naturally, as all this happened here, Zeus and Apollo laughed from above in Olympus at the amazing creation they bestowed on us mere mortals. Built not from flesh and blood, Mariah Carey symbolizes a new future in music where singers are sent to us from the heavens.

Carrying on, George Michael played his first US Tour in 17 years, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith was actually developed and released, and a shitload of festivals happened. Oh, and Souljaboy continued to take the world by storm. By this time, the many proverbial trees have fallen down… thanks to global warming.

So, where we at? Oh, the end of the summer: LOLLAPALOOZA 2008! Need I mention that Consequence of Sound covered that shit like they own it? BOO-YAH.

Then came the seasonal changes: Katy Perry continued to do whatever the hell she does, a new Queen album came out (or is coming out), that plane crash involving Travis Barker and DJ AM happened and the two lived to tell the tale, Paul McCartney returned to Israel since being banned, Britney got another number one, Rihanna got a few ones too, and finally, Face to Face continued to search for their first one.

Of course, 2008 wouldn’t 2008 without Axl f’n Rose. How could we forget? Chinese Democracy was unleashed upon the ill prepared world! Rumor has it that only Mariah Carey is known to be able to handle the sheer awesomeness and virtuosity that the album contains. Too bad that negates 99.99% percent of the world. Speaking of the world, a lot of awesome people connected to music left it, but that’s what always happens: people die. Some can argue and say that Mariah Carey should have considered resurrecting them with her powers, but let’s get realistic people.

2009 Prediction: Face to Face will produce Mariah Carey’s next album, I Will Never Go Away As Long As People Can Handle My Voice As They Pleasure Themselves to My Videos.

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An Early Holiday Gift…

Yes, you read the above sentence right and no, you’re not on some mind-inducing acid trip. The Stone Tempe Pilots frontman and author of the recently released Happy In Galoshes recently found time from amidst his busy touring schedule to tackle the song. Weiland’s rendition of “Reel Around The Fountain” can be found on disc two on Happy’s deluxe edition, though depending on how willing you are to dish out cash on well, a train wreck, it might be wiser to just head on over to Stereogum to give it a listen.

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“Reel Around The Fountain” (The Smiths)

Scott Weiland 2008/2009 Tour Dates:
12/17 – St. Louis, MO @ Pageant
12/18 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
01/16 – Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa
01/17 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
01/19 – Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage
01/23 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
01/24 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
01/25 – Boston, MA @ Wilbur Theatre
01/28 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s Hall
01/30 – Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre
01/31 – Minnapolis, MN @ Pantages Theatre
02/02 – Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
02/05 – San Francisco, CA @ Grand Ballroom
02/06 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl
02/07 – Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theatre

To be brutally honest though, fans of Weiland should have seen this coming. We’ve all known that ever since the California native kicked the heroin back in the late ’90s, he’s been on a steady decline in both creativity and musical genius. Just look at his weak, last ditch effort with S.T.P. (Shangri-La Dee Da) and then at his even more redundant work with Velvet Revolver for Christ’s sake! Sometimes people should just stick to their drugs or stop making music all together, you know?

Sadly for us, Weiland didn’t stop, and the 56 minutes of hell comprising Happy in Galoshes is saturated with unimpressive, washed out vocals that’ll end up depressing Weiland fans just as much as Heathen did for David Bowie fanatics. That’s right, I said it. Even aside from the vocals, the musicianship of the album is still just as horrid; filled with overused Indie-rock aesthetics and repetition of already luke-warm material that ends up forming something so awful, it could be found in one of the pages of an H.P. Lovecraft book!

So, Happy in Galoshes starts off with the single “Missing Cleveland”, which has somehow found its way to #33 on some Modern Rock charts, most likely because of its catchy chorus. Next up is “Tangle With Your Mind,” featuring Weiland in a manner that almost impersonates radio-friendly pop rock musicians like John Mayer or Jack Johnson (come on now Weiland, you’re better than that). And then we’ve got “Blind Confusion”, a mixture of all the negative aspects from The Hives and The Psychedelic Furs combined, making our ear drums ache. It’s harsh, I know, but things get even worse with the futuristic cover of David Bowie’s and John Lennon’s “Fame” and the dreary ballad “Be Not Afraid”, which comes off as both emotionally limp and fake.

Surprisingly, within this rather lackluster effort that Weiland feeds us, Happy in Galoshes still manages to yield a few tracks worth remembering. First there’s “Big Black Monster”, which has a weird, eerie feel to it and a back beat that’s similar to something we could find Fiona Apple playing. Then, “Beautiful Day” comes along with its dreary and carnival-esque sound that’s closest relative can probably be found somewhere on The Beatles’ Revolver. So yeah, it’s refreshing to know that this album is at least worth something, right?

Also, what “Big Black Monster” and “Beautiful Day” accomplish in just 8:34 is enough to reassure Weiland fans that there’s at least a little hope left for this guy’s career. Both tracks are reminiscent of the Weiland we grew to love all those years ago and run more in step with his work on 12 Bar Blues, so at least download those two tracks off iTunes when you get the chance.

Upon reflection, Happy in Galoshes is essentially just a huge piece of trash. There’s really no other way around it. However, while part of me wants Weiland to man up and end his career now before he makes an even bigger ass of himself, imagining a world without him just seems so boring.

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