The Best of Lately...

1) "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out" by Panic! at the Disco - Put aside the self- indulgent name and the fact that the video plays ad nauseum on MTV2 and you'll realize this is one of the most talented and ambituous bands to break through to the "mainstream" in a long time.









2) "3121" by Prince - A lot of critics are calling this the next logical step in his return to form and a great follow up to his comeback album "Musicology". The highlights are the lead single "Black Sweat", and the guitar workout "Fury". A reminder of what makes Prince great and one of the all time best.






3) "On An Island" by David Gilmour - It would be impossible to NOT compare this record to a Pink Floyd record, so I didn't even try not to. It's slightly different than what we would have maybe heard from a reunited or at least partially reunited Floyd, but still "Floydian" all the same. While drawing inevitable comparisons to Floyds last release 'The Division Bell", this album also takes us back a bit to the "Obscured By Clouds" and "Meddle" era's. Easily his best solo work, and most likely due to the fact that it sounds Pink Floyd.



4) "Amos Lee" by Amos Lee - Part Keb Mo' and part James Taylor, this is a fantastic debut album by someone you'll be hearing more of in the future.






5) "Black Cadillac" by Roseanne Cash - The only Roseanne Cash album I own, it made me want to go back and rediscover her back catalog. A meditation on the three major losses she suffered within the span of two years (father , stepmother, and mother), this record should be nominated for more than a couple grammys come awards time.

Update: No Pumpkins Reunion yet...

In response to the previous Pumpkins reunion rumors on this blog and on other more credible news outlets, it turns out the Pumpkins won't be playing at any of the major summer festivals.

In other Pumpkins related news from MTV.COM:

Melissa Auf Der Maur said Corgan has been working on material that will, at some point, surface in the form of a new Smashing Pumpkins album.

"From what I understand, Billy [will be] making a Pumpkins record over the next little while," Auf Der Maur told MTV News last week. "Everyone knows Billy doesn't need too many people to make a Pumpkins record, other than Jimmy [Chamberlin, longtime Pumpkins drummer] — who he has [on board]."

A spokesperson for Azoff Management confirmed Thursday (February 2) that Corgan and Chamberlin have signed on with the firm as Smashing Pumpkins, and that the two are writing new music. A source close to the situation told MTV News that the duo plan to record over the summer and that the new Pumpkins could surface before the end of the year — however, no definitive plans are set.

Stay tuned...