Spinal Tap Is Back

Inflated price 'appears to be either a misprint or a satire,' he quips

(NEWSER) - Elvis Costello's new Return of the Spectacular Spinning Songbook boxed set is pretty good—but no way is it worth the current price Elvis Costello says. The special-edition set, which includes a CD and DVD of a concert from earlier this year, plus a coffee-table book, is selling for at least $225 in the US and more than $300 in the UK, a price which the singer says "appears to be either a misprint or a satire," the Telegraph reports. More»

(NEWSER) - Radiohead has recorded its last album, frontman Thom Yorke told the Believer in a recent interview. Instead, the band will focus on download-only singles and EPs. “None of us want to go into that creative hoo-ha of a long-play record again,” he said. Though the band believes there’s “still something great about the album,” making one has “just become a real drag.” More»

(NEWSER) - Apple has joined forces with four major record labels on a mission to get music buyers to start buying albums again instead of just single tracks, the Financial Times reports. The project—codenamed "Cocktail"—will bundle album downloads with lyrics sheets, sleeve notes, photos, and assorted interactive features in an effort to lure consumers into buying the whole package. More»

Manager sez Spears spending summer in studio

(NEWSER) - Britney Spears is busy rebounding from her yearlong downward spiral by working on a new album, her label says, while Madonna is said to be lobbying Britney and Kevin Federline to put in a live "reunion" appearance on her upcoming tour, the Sun reports. And if that's not enough, a postponement of the latest hearing in her custody battle is fueling speculation that an agreement with Federline is close at hand, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. More»

Seemingly obsolete, format is seeing increasing—even 'unbelievable'—sales

(NEWSER) - It might seem unlikely in an age where the CD’s obituary has already been written, but vinyl records are making a comeback as younger fans fall for the big artwork and warm analog sounds, the Boston Globe reports. Music stores report big yearly sales increases, and big-box stores like Best Buy are stocking new-age turntables and their accessories. More»