As a cranky, sleep-deprived new parent in the throes of box sets by hipsters, I declared (on Twitter, no less) that there was absolutely no need for me to hear Kanye's latest magnum opus. Until I heard a track on YouTube.

The Posies, who for more than two decades have staked their claim as one of the finest power-pop bands in the world, have announced the upcoming release of their first new album in five years.

Alex Chilton died yesterday, but the guy that rock fans worshipped -- the musician who almost 40 years ago founded Big Star, and in the process helped give birth to power-pop and alternative rock -- died decades ago.

Reviewed: Big Star, Ace Frehley, Gordan Gano, Bruce Hornsby, Jay-Z, Mark Knopfler, Living Colour, The Phantom Movers and Muse.

R.E.M. will be releasing Live At The Olympia, a 39-song, two CD set containing "working rehearsals" from 2007. I was lent a track that captures the band's energy and insightful views.

Smoking Kills was one of the best import releases of 2008, and with two extra tracks added, it's now one of the best albums to come out Stateside in '09.