Snoop Dogg [ tickets ] drops a new album titled "R+G (Rhythm + Gangsta): The Masterpiece" on Nov. 23.

The set is the rapper's first for The Neptunes [ tickets ]' Star Trak label (a Geffen imprint), and features guest appearances from 50 Cent, Justin Timberlake, Nelly, Lil Jon, Trina, Bootsy Collins, Charlie Wilson, and Neptunes Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams.

Soft Cell's Marc Almond [ tickets ], who was in critical condition after he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident earlier this month, is improving.

Though he remains hospitalized in London, Almond's condition reportedly has been upgraded to stable.

"Marc's family would like you to know that he is progressing with his recovery in [the] hospital," said a statement posted this week on the artist's official website. His family have passed on to him the overwhelming amount of good wishes which have been received, and Marc is aware of all the messages of love and support. He still as a long way to go in his recovery and his family have asked that his privacy continue to be respected."

Singer/songwriter James McMurtry [ tickets ] has released what he calls "the first political rant I've done" as a free download that's available via a link at his official website.

"I wrote it really fast and hopefully it doesn’t preach too much," he said in a statement. "But if it gets more person to the polls, I'll consider it a success."

John Peel [ tickets ], a BBC DJ who in 1967 helped to launch the network's first rock station, Radio 1, died of a heart attack Monday (10/25) in Peru. He was 65.

Peel was best known for "Peel Sessions"--in which the DJ invited acts into the BBC studios to perform live. Many "Peel Sessions" were released commercially, and other survived as bootlegs. He championed many successful acts as they were emerging, including The Undertones, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and The Pixies.