Quick, Before It Melts.

Remember when you were a kid and you woke up to the news that school had been canceled that day because of the weather? The only thing that tops that feeling is when you're an adult teaching in a school and you wake up to find out that school has been canceled for the day because of the weather! I'm celebrating my extended long weekend with a mishmash of musical goodies for you.

Xiu Xiu continue to baffle and confound: "F.T.W." is the "remarkable pulsating creature " from the forthcoming Women As Lovers album. Thanks SPIN.

Xiu Xiu "F.T.W." (Women as Lovers, 2008, Kill Rock Stars)


R.E.M. tour with Modest Mouse and The National. I'll be right back, I'm just going to change my pants.

While we're on the topic, Goldenfiddle has the artwork for Accelerate, the new R.E.M. album dropping on April 1. No foolin'.

April 22 is my birthday (it's also Earth Day) and this year it'll mark the return of Billy Bragg! Mr. Love & Justice is produced by Grant Showbiz and is Bragg's first album for Anti-.

The NME and Graham Coxon says there's no Blur album coming, so stop asking.

My favourite track off Bottoms of Barrels, Tilly and the Wall's 2006 Team Love release, gets the remix treatment by CSS. Tilly and the Wall are hitting the road with Capgun Coup:


Tilly and the Wall "The Freest Man (CSS Remix)"


Capgun Coup "My Tears Cure Cancer"