An academic at McGill University has a simple plan to stop the plague of unauthorized music downloads on the Internet. But it entails changing the entire music industry as we know it, and Apple Computers, which may have the power to make the change, is listening.

Read the full article at Canada's Globe & Mail.

When it comes to bashing mainstream rock stations, I am always first in line. The insipid drivel that they play is unforgivable when you look at the amount of genuine talent being neglected. I haven't listened to mainstream radio in years and consider it one of the best decisions I ever made. With that said, it's a bit disturbing to hear that a lot of these venues are bleeding listeners so badly that they are having to switch formats to hip-hop, R&B and Hispanic oriented programming. Philadelphia's Y100, the only source for modern rock in this top 20 market, has recently switched to R&B. This trend is closing a lot of doors for rock bands to promote concerts and their material. There is no question that demographic trends are changing, but I think a large responsibility falls on these stations for waiting for the next grunge to magically appear and not heavily promoting the cutting edge artists that could revive mainstream rock at it's core. The music revolution isn't going to tap you on the shoulder to let you know it's already started.

Read the full article at Rolling Stone and tune into Innovative Radio for the best Internet radio has to offer in cutting edge music.

Say it isn't so. CBGB, known for breaking bands like the Ramones and Blondie, may close its doors due to conflicts with its landlord over rent. "For more than 30 years, CBGB has with ragged pride withstood every hand the neighborhood and the music scene have dealt it: punk-rock, death metal, crack addicts, city inspectors and bad plumbing. But it may have met its match in one of the city's most respected charity group."

Read the New York Times article.

Garbage will be releasing their fourth studio album, Bleed Like Me, on April 12th and launches their supporting tour in Seattle on April 8th. Lots of rumors had been swirling about concerning the group's breakup that seemed to change depending on which band member you talked to. Foo Fighter's Dave Grohl lends his drumming talents on the track "Bad Boyfriend".

Check out the full article at Rolling Stone complete with tour dates.

You would think that an artist with Beck's credentials would be too good to associate himself with the March 10th episode of "The O.C." However, quirkiness in tact, he naturally makes it look cool. This is no sell-out, and it gives us a chance to preview new tracks from his soon to be release album, "Guereo." Look for the PM Media Review coming this week.

In the meantime, checkout E!Online's full article.

Hallelujah! Praise be to Jesus! (and I'm not even religious) Five tracks off Fiona's latest effort Extraordinary Machine have been leaked out on the radio and you know what that means...they're on the Net. If you are crafty enough, you can find them. Jon Brion, the album's producer, has said that the album has been done for some time yet Sony has it sitting on its shelves collecting dust because they don't know how to market it for radio. Translation: it must be brilliant. Ironically enough, this past weekend Seattle's 107.7's DJ Andrew Harms found a spot on radio for five of the tracks off of Extraordinary Machine on his show. Three are still a little rough but "Better Version of Me" and the title track sounds ready for release. Oh my these are so very nice. Surprisingly, Sony hasn't hit Harms with a cease and desist order. Now the question is, how can I get away with playing these incendiary tracks on my radio show without the man coming after me? Hmmm...

Read the full release at MTV.

While it doesn't match up to the real thing, a live album can cure those missed concert blues, and luckily the Morrissey fix is on its merry way. Not one, but two live Morrissey releases will be put on shelves on March 29th. First up is a DVD called "Who Put the 'M' in Manchester", and covering the audio side is a CD informatively titled "Live at Earl's Court".

Read the full article with complete track listings at Soul Shine Magazine.

Well, it looks like we'll have to wait even longer for the latest release by Coldplay.

The guys have said they will release their long-awaited third album in June, as they announced plans to kick off their biggest world tour with U.K. gigs in London, Bolton and Glasgow.

Checkout the full Yahoo! article.

Cullum recently met with Pharrell Williams prompted by Williams hearing Cullum's rendition of "Frontin'". From that meeting the Neptunes have agreed to work on Cullum's forthcoming release. Cullum, the British jazz singing and piano sensation that has been riding high on his breakthrough effort Twentysomething, has also been working with Dan the Automator of Gorillaz. Cullum has already prepared 16 tracks for his new effort and hints that he wants to push out the borders of traditional jazz. Cullum featured several modern classic artists on Twentysomething including Radiohead, Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Buckley and looks to continue along this tangent on his upcoming release. Perhaps we'll see a little AC/DC "Highway to Hell" and Bjork "Human Behavior" among the tracks. Expanding the borders of jazz indeed.

Read the full article at MTV.

Scant weeks since Louris had regrouped with his old band mate Mark Olson to play select dates throughout America, Louris now says the Jayhawks are no more. Louris stated that the environment of being in a full time band was constricting him from learning and exploring new experiences.

Read the full article at Billboard.

Alt-country pioneers the Jayhawks are back together again in their original form as Mark Olson and Gary Louris set aside some long standing rifts to play a handful of dates. It is not a reunion tour since bassist Marc Perlman and drummer Tim O'Reagan are not involved but the duo have discussed writing some new material together that could form a record. Mark Olson originally parted ways with the band in 1995 as they sat on the verge of breaking into the mainstream. Olsen said he had grown tired of the music business and touring. The two didn't speak for six years following the split as Louris continued the Jayhawks without Olson yet they joined up a couple years ago to contribute a couple songs to the Dennis Quaid film the Rookie.

Read the full article at Billboard and look on Pollstar for Olsen and Louris touring in a city near you.

80's pop icon and serious artist following that hangover, George Michael has finally thrown in the proverbial towel saying there is nothing left for him in pop music per a recent documentary. He says life as a celebrity has never suited him and that pop music has died. "Nobody want to hear about politics, or any kind of strong ideas in pop any more." He has been no stranger to controversy over the years with his strong stand against the war in Iraq and being tossed out of the closet after getting caught in the infamous lewd act in a Beverly Hills toilet. He released the brilliant Patience last summer after 8 years had elapsed since his previous release of original material. As for what he would do next, he replied: "Perhaps it will mean writing for other people. I have an ambition to write a truly contemporary musical, not necessarily even for the stage, but for the screen ... I have got to find ways to make music and enjoy it the way I used to."

Read the full article at CNN.

Eight years ago, Madeleine Peyroux's debut album, Dreamland, was showered with praise. Critics swooned over her Billie Holiday-like voice, her choice of material (though pigeonholed as a jazz vocalist, her songs included Patsy Cline's "Walkin' After Midnight" and a pair of blues numbers) and her interpretive abilities. The album, despite no hits and little airplay, sold 200,000 copies, an amazing number for an unknown singer. And then she disappeared.

Read the full article at CNN and be sure to check back in next week for a review of Peyroux's latest album Careless Love.

A popular choice with PM, the Garden State Soundtrack took home the Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack. The collection is sure to spread the word on indie favs that have yet to hit the big time. Checkout new tracks from the Shins ("Caring is Creepy" and "New Slang") as well as familiar tunes by Simon & Garfunkel and Coldplay.

Rent or buy this movie?

There's a good reason why Kanye West is getting so much attention. Not only has he produced hits for the likes of Jay-Z and Twista, but he saved some of his best beats for his debut, "College Dropout" If you're a rap fan in need of catchy hooks and head-nodding jams, be sure to pick this one up. Now he's riding the success into the Grammy's (yes, we've already dissed the Grammy's in a previous post) with a leading 10 nods. Read the CNN article now.

Sick and tired of the listless Grammy's that don't even nominate worthy contenders much less award them? The Brit Awards can be your solace. Scissor Sisters wrapped up the well deserved honors of best international group, best international album as well as best international breakthrough group. Franz Ferdinand walked away with best British group and rock act. Soul mistress Joss Stone was awarded with British female solo artist and British urban act. Keane secured best British breakthrough act and their brilliant Hopes and Fears was tagged as the best British album. I couldn't have picked these better myself.

Read the full article on Billboard.

If your CD player has had nothing new to chew on of late never fear because the pipeline is cram packed with new music slated to be released in the coming months.

> Tori Amos' the Beekeeper on February 22nd more info
> Josh Rouse's Nashville on February 22nd more info
> Doves' Some Cities on March 1st more info
> Ivy's In the Clear on March 1st more info
> Eric Matthew's Six Kinds of Passion Looking for an Exit on March 8th more info
> Beck's Guero on March 29th more info
> Ryan Adams' Cold Roses on April 19th [1st of 3 to release this year] more info
> Ben Folds' Songs for Silverman on April 26th more info
> Nine Inch Nail's "With Teeth" on May 3rd more info
> Coldplay's yet to be titled album is due in the Spring more info

Conor Oberst has returned after three years to deliver a two-disk opus that surpasses his lofty past efforts. Digital Ash in a Digital Urn finds Oberst exploring the virtues of electronica funneling sounds from the Postal Service as I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning treads over his more familiar shades of folk and country.

Read more about Bright Eyes at MSNBC now.