The new album is the Beasties' first since 1998's "Hello Nasty." A tour is in the works; already confirmed are Aug. 7-8 appearances at Japan's Summer Sonic Festival.
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Elvis Costello [ tickets ] plans to simultaneously release two albums on an as-yet-unannounced date this year, according to published reports.
One of the albums will be a rock set featuring his band The Imposters; the other will be a recording with The London Symphony Orchestra of his composition "Il Sogno."
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Rapper C-Murder [ tickets ] (whose real name is Corey Miller), currently serving life in prison in connection with the 2002 shooting death of a teenager, has been granted a new trial.
According to published reports, a Louisiana Judge has ruled that prosecutors withheld information about witnesses who testified against the rapper.
Miller remains in prison pending a bail hearing.
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Tres Chicas--a side project of North Carolina recording artists Lynn Blakey, Caitlin Cary [ tickets ] and Tonya Lamm with drummer Skillet Gilmore--will release their debut album on June 29.
The disc, titled "Sweetwater," was produced by Chris Stamey.