Now we’ve got a few more:

The Shins have a new album, Wincing the Night Away (out on SubPop on 1/23) and have announced a U.S. tour — including a stop at the Congress in Chicago on my b-day…hmm
(via Pitchfork)

Yo La Tengo now have tourdates in the U.S., Japan, and Australia. Yo la’s last album I am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass continues to be one of my favorite eMusic downloads of ’05
(via LiveMusicBlog and Live Daily)

RJD2′s ste up a tour in support of his new album The Third Hand–now streaming on MySpace–which is out March 6th. Tour starts March 9th.
(also via Pitchfork)

And in case you may have missed it, here’s an earlier post about a bunch of great indie releases coming out early in 2007.

Once again confirming that the band is in the midst of recording another album and has exciting plans for fully re-uniting in 2007, Billy Corgan recently posted the following message to the pumpkins official myspace page:

“Dear Beautiful Souls,

Happy New Year to you! May 2007 prove to be a blessed year in every respect and every way…I send you every ounce of love I have in my heart…May the grace of Mother be with you…This year for us will see a new album of songs and a world tour of tears, and we truly look forward to playing again for fans young, old, and missed…So yes, tunes are being dusted off, while others are being asked to kindly submit to an upstart millennia and all it’s asking…In our daily prayers, we send out the signal that all who should hear us come forward and be seen, and by extension, heard…when we opened the lid on this music box, we were pleasantly suprised at the music that played: familiar yet unknown, welcoming but not sentimental…and that is all we can ask…God has absolutely blessed us in every respect…for many years there were private laments about opportunities missed and hearts so broken, but no more…we have turned the page and moved on, from places and faces, names and games…this age calls for resolve and certitude, and the fire within to burn ever bright…if that fire should be connected to absolutely deafening guitars, thundering drums, and the melodies of snakes, then so be it! We love you! If you are meant to be with us, find us!! We have need, and our arms are ever-open…although I can say definitively we don’t need jugglers…but we do need ???? (what?) what do we need!
With a smile and a wink,
billy corgan”

As a Chicago native and a music fan who came of age (and quite guitar-enthused) during the early 90s, the Pumpkins have a distinct spot in my musical past. It’s cool to see them keeping the dream alive.

Now bring on the 3-night stand in Chicago!

~~~

In other “reunion news,” there are a ton of rumors about the potential of a re-united Police. Billboard had the scoop, and now it has also bubbled up to Yahoo News/Reuters. Not going to hold my breath about this one.

Looks like they’ve got a new album due in March and are heading out on a 17-date tour in Europe. Here’s hoping they add some dates across the pond in the U.S., because these guys rock out in the live setting.

And…I just can’t resist adding in a little “friday youtubing.” This one’s a two-fer because LCD Soundsystem makes me dance (and smile):

Tribulations:

and

Movement:

Have a great weekend!

So, my Friday YouTubing post is his latest video for the uber-funky “Cell Phones Dead.” Unlike some of the low-budget home music videos Beck apparently released along with the Information, this one is professionally produced and just damn cool. I can’t decide if I’m strangely intrigued or a bit frightened, but either way, it’s one of my fav tracks off his latest release:

Have a great weekend!