Scorcese To Direct New Jagger Film

The Long Play, a film written by Mick Jagger, will be directed by Academy Award winning director Martin Scorsese. The movie will be about two friends in the music business and their lives within it.

You can read the full article here.

The Beach Boys - 'Sail On, Sailor'

This isn't the Beach Boys your parents listened to in junior high. Instead, this is the Beach Boys your parents may have heard in passing while attending college. Written over the course of two years, 1973's 'Sail On, Sailor' was the carefree band's attempt at recaputuring a position in the Top 40.

'Sail On, Sailor' was more soulful than other Beach Boys singles quite simply because it was sung by Blondie Chaplin, a South African who briefly joined the band in the early seventies. Minus the defining vocals and sound of musical architect Brian Wilson, 'Sail On, Sailor' sounds more like Stevie Wonder and less like the earnest oceanside pop that dominated Stateside summertime radio stations in the sixties.

Recently, 'Sail On, Sailor' was featured in 2006's The Departed, the Irish-Mafia gangland masterpiece that only last night gave Martin Scorsese his long awaited Oscar, as well as took home the Academy's paramount award for Best Picture.

Listen to 'Sail On, Sailor' here.

Mew - 'The Zookeeper's Boy'

Although released back in 2005, it was only recently that I was introduced to this tasty space rocker. 'The Zookeeper's Boy' is from the Danish quartet Mew's last album, And the Glass Handed Kites. Its celestial chorus beautifully compliments the jaded verse sung throughout the rest of the single, while the song as a whole is a driving epic.

You can check out Mew's 'The Zookeeper's Boy' here.

Chris Sligh & Mute Math's - 'Typical'

American Idol is, once again, in full-swing. And although there are no Chris Daughtrys' I can rally around this year, there is another "Chris" who I'm rooting for. That "Chris" is Chris Sligh, the Jack Osbourne look-alike who isn't afraid to take verbal jabs at Simon.

Last night, Sligh sang a catchy song that I was unfamiliar with. Come to find out, after a day or so of researching the tune between working and other errands, the song is called 'Typical' and is by the New Orleans based Mute Math. Furthermore, the album that 'Typical' is contained on was only released a few months ago in September of 2006.

Kudos to Sligh for not only choosing a great song, but for highlighting a track that is fresh and under most of America's radar.

You can listen to 'Typical' here.

Kaiser Chiefs - 'Ruby'

Here's a another great tune from across the water that has struck my fancy as of late. Kaiser Chiefs' new single 'Ruby:'

Mika - 'Grace Kelly'

Here's a great lazy Sunday tune. I saw this video on MTV Hits last night, and was instantly drawn to its deliberate Queen-like sound. Not to mention, I'm a sucker for piano rock.

Watch Mika "try a little Freddie" in his single, 'Grace Kelly,' below:

Caught On Tape: Valentine's Day Edition

First and foremost, Happy Valentine's Day. I understand some of you may be celebrating whilst others are sulking in apathy to the utter commercialization of the holiday, but either way, I'm here to add that little extra something to your day.

The concept of love may be the single biggest inspiration in all of songwriting. Songs about love may easily date back to the dawn of man. And while countless songs continue to be written about the subject, we never grow tired of them. It's an emotional experience that everyone can relate to in one way or another, and something that continues to baffle minds and break hearts. I know, it sounds ridiculous, but speaking from experience...

Now, I could have easily taken the nihilistic approach and posted something like Cannibal Corpse's "F$&%#@ with a Knife;" however, I've chosen the high ground, and picked a song that is dear to my heart. That song is Pet Shop Boys' "Love Comes Quickly," from their phenomenal 1986 album Please.

One of my personal favorites - particularly within the PSB catalog, "Love Comes Quickly" is an optimistic song for anyone who hasn't found a special someone. I was going to post the original music video to the song, but then I found this awesome live performance from London's Wembley Arena, and my mind was made. If you're one of those people who thinks love will never get to you, don't fret. Sooner or later, this happens to everyone.


Pet Shop Boys - "Love Comes Quickly" (Live at Wembley Arena, 1989)

Michael Jackson Could Appear on American Idol

The King of Pop may appear on American Idol, and may even mentor contestants, our online source proclaims. The plan, if all goes well, is to have a Michael Jackson-themed week on the reality show, with the music star coaching the participants.

This is all part of a planned American comeback for Jackson.

Ozzfest 2007 To Be Free!

Although only in existence for a little over a decade, Ozzy Osbourne's Ozzfest has become a rock institution. With many popular bands getting their big break on the festival's "second stage", Ozzfest has contributed greatly to the vitality of metal today.

That contribution was extended yesterday, when Osbourne's wife and manager, Sharon, announced that there will be no price attached to tickets for this year's show.

That's right, Ozzfest 2007 will be free:

"Everybody has been so good to us over the years, and year after year ticket prices get higher and higher and higher,” Sharon Osbourne, who is Ozzy’s manager as well, said. "We just thought we can't keep on raising ticket prices because there is not that much money out there anymore. Hey, kids can go online and download music, why not go to a show for free too? What the heck?"

Fans can plan on getting tickets through sponsors' websites, and the sponsors will pay for the tickets. However, nothing is on release yet.

Overview of the Best Web 2.0 Social Music Sites

Ryan Stewart with TechCrunch presents an impressive breakdown of the eight or so social music sites currently out there on the Internet. From Finetune to MyStrands, Stewart's article is the one to check out if you are looking for the best sites to share and discover the most important music to you.

Nine Inch Nails announces new album

Trent Reznor and the gang have been keeping busy. A new DVD and a new album are both set to be released this spring.

After touring extensively behind their With Teeth album, Nine Inch Nails recently announced a February 27th release for a 24 track live DVD, Beside You In Time.

Then, just today, the band made a statement on their website that a new studio offering, to be titled Year Zero, will also be released this spring, with a date set for April 17th.

The six year wait between NIN's 1999 double-album The Fragile and 2005's With Teeth may have felt like an eternity to some fans, but now the band seems to have picked up steam again, and it will be exciting to see what they have to offer in 2007.