So Paste has finally posted online the whole of their “100 Best Living Songwriters” feature, complete with supporting essays for each listee. Topping the list, to on one’s surprise, is Bob Dylan – only the most devoted contrarian would try to take issue with his selection. Neil Young’s #2 placing might ruffle a few more feathers, but only amongst crazy people so we’ll disregard their complaints. Things potentially get a little more contentious in the middle of the pack (Sufjan Stevens over Richard Thompson? Hrmmm) but I’m not the sort to get all riled up over lists. That’s what Stereogum comments are for.

Anyway, if you’ve got an hour or two to kill, cruise the essays – they’re generally written by people with book-learnin’ or other smarts and it’s always good to entertain the rationale behind picks you may not agree with (Drive-By Trucker Patterson Hood defends #10 pick Prince). The list is broken up into 10 sections (1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, 81-90, 91-100) as well as a readers poll.

And to backtrack to Bobby Dylan a bit, Billboard has some more info and the tracklisting for his new album Modern Times, out August 29 and E! reports on the forthcoming Broadway musical based on his songs. Even with his endorsement, I can’t help but think it’s going to be a travesty and a half.

Golden Smog will release their latest Another Fine Day next Tuesday and in addition to being able to grab a full MP3 below, you can hear clips from the whole record here. The Pioneer Press talks to Dan Murphy about the logistics of the Smog and why you won’t see Jeff Tweedy (24) out with them as they try to support the new record.

MP3: Golden Smog – “5-22-02”

Being There conducts an intensive interview with Sufjan Stevens (47) about The Avalanche, which came out this past Tuesday while Salon makes do with three questions. Nextbook also has a brief interview. Allmusic, meanwhile, takes the wheel on the Sufjan backlash wagon and goes to town.

Billboard talks to Spoon-man Britt Daniel (-) about the follow-up to Gimme Fiction, which they’re in the midst of recording. The reissue package combining their first album Telephono with their early EP Soft Effects will be out July 25. It sounds almost nothing like current Spoon, but is still worthy in its own right. Check some out, the first track is from Telephono, the second from Soft Effects.

MP3: Spoon – “Idiot Driver”
MP3: Spoon – “Mountain To Sound”

eye talks to Land Of Talk’s Elizabeth Powell about Pootie Tang, a film I think I’ve actually seen at least some of. LoT open up the Dog Day Afternoon at Fort York tomorrow.

Some concert news – Finnish electro-pop outfit Husky Rescue will be at the El Mocambo on August 5 with Chicago’s Elanors, tickets $10. Husky Rescue were on my SxSW shortlist back in March so I’m pleased to get the chance to see them without, you know, having to go to Texas.

Also noteworthy – the Indie Unlimited festival happening at Harbourfront over the last weekend in August just got a lot more interesting. Great Lake Swimmers are still playing at 2PM, but the original headliner for the evening – Amy Millan – has now been moved to the 3:30PM slot, opening up the headlining slot (for around 9PM, I would estimate) for… The Hidden Cameras. Terrific news for those wanting to see them celebrate their new album Awoo, out August 15, but didn’t want to have to do the Virgin Festival to do so. After all – this show is also on the water and is decidedly FREE.

Also happening at Harbourfront but not till October 3 – newly-rediscovered British folk icon Vashti Bunyan will be at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre with Great Lake Swimmers supporting, tickets $24 to $27.

While Eugene Mirman isn’t a musician per se (though the Marvelous Crooning Child on his website is awesomeness), he IS signed to SubPop and I’m pretty sure he KNOWS a lot of musicians… and he’s one funny mofo. He turns the Horseshoe into a comedy club on August 17. Maybe they’ll put up one of those brick walls along the back.

np – The Cardigans / Long Gone Before Daylight