Rolling Stone is first out of the blocks with information on the new Belle & Sebastian album. Coming out earlier than expected, The Goalkeeper’s Revenge has been given a target release date of January 2006. Handling production duties on this one was Tony Hoffer, who has a very impressive contemporary indie-pop resume. It will be interesting to see what the band keeps from Trevor Horn’s heavier-handed production on Dear Catastrophe Waitress. I’ve been a longtime B&S fan, but tend to go through feast-or-famine phases with the band. I haven’t spun any of their stuff in some time, come to think of it – betcha that ends soon.

Also exciting is the Rolling Stone piece mentions expectations of a Spring North American tour. I’ve seen the band twice, almost thrice (their 1998 show at the Opera House was cancelled at the last minute due to an Isobel Campbell fit of pique) and the last show at Massey Hall in November 2003 was one of the best I’ve ever seen. I would assume a T.O. date would again be at Massey Hall… here’s hoping I can work my front-row centre Massey Hall magic again! Finally – they will also be contributing a track to the upcoming War Child benefit compilation Help: A Day In The Life (available online on September 9 and in stores shortly thereafer) and the official bio has a website (though really, there’s nothing there). And they’ve updated the Q&A section of their own website (Stuart calls The Hidden Cameras “a pack of scavaging whore-mongers” – but in a good way).

Paste has a quickie with The New Pornographers. Twin Cinema is absolutely rocking Metacritic right now. I usually avoid the big stores but HMV has Twin Cinema for $14.99… tough price to beat.

I’m pleased to see Wheat’s lovely “Don’t I Hold You” will be included on the soundtrack to Cameron Crowe’s Elizabethtown. Wheat never got the success they were due before going on hiatus last year – hopefully this will put some dollars in their pockets. My only question is whether Crowe was wise enough to include the far superior Hope & Adams version in as opposed to the re-recorded, overproduced Per Second Per Second Per Second Every Second version? Probably not. Also appearing on the soundtrack are My Morning Jacket and Ryan Adams. The album is out September 13, the movie October 14.

For The Eardrums offers up an interview with Dirty On Purpose for the eyeballs.

John Cale, ex of The Velvet Underground, will be in town for a three-night stand at the Lula Lounge from November 13 to 15. Tickets are $25, though there’s sure to be some weird dinner/show packages available from the Lounge. Shows @ Lula Lounge = weird.

There’s really not much you can say about a news story like this.

np – Mat Pond PA / Emblems