Florence and The Machine release debut 'Lungs'

We love Florence and The Machine if you guys hadn't picked up yet.

So, after releasing a couple of singles ('Kiss With A Fist’ and 'Dog Days Are Over’) and a couple of covers ('Hospital Beds' - Cold War Kids, the ever so delightful Florence & The Machine has built up a formidable status with the music world, even taking out this years highly prestigious Critics Choice BRIT Award. Now Florence Welch is releasing her sensational debut album 'Lungs'.

Production duties on the album include the delicate care of Paul Epworth (Bloc Party, Jack Penate, Maximo Park), James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, The Klaxons, Last Shadow Puppets) and Steve Mackay (Pulp, M.I.A).

After listening to 'Lungs' at least ten times in the space of a day, the staff at Music Universe are salivating at the thought of listening to it another ten times tomorrow.

We have no doubt that 2009 will be the year for Florence and The Machine and that 'Lungs' will festure into our 'Best Of 2009' list..

'Lungs' is out July 9th.

ALBUM TRACKLISTING:

1. Dog Days Are Over
2. Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)
3. I’m Not Calling You A Liar
4. Howl
5. Kiss With A Fist
6. Girl With One Eye
7. Drumming
8. Between Two Lungs
9. Cosmic Love
10. My Boys Builds Coffins
11. Hurricane Drunk
12. Blinding
Bonus: You’ve Got The Love

www.florenceandthemachine.net

Radiohead were told to split up!

In one of the most moronic things we've ever heard, the manager of Radiohead apparently advised the band to split up just prior to completing 'In Rainbows'. Can you believe a world without 'In Rainbows' let alone Radiohead!

According to The Irish Times, Radiohead's manager thought that because the band couldn't achieve the sound that they were looking for (with 'In Rainbows'), he thought it could be the end. He felt that after two years of leaving EMI, Radiohead were still no closer to finishing the album. Well you know what Mr Manager, thank god Thom and co. don't listen to anyone but themselves.

'In Rainbows' went on to sell thousands and thousands of copies across the whole world - thanks to the master stroke of fans downloading the album for whatever amount they felt worthy of spending.

Mr Manager, you're an idiot!!

www.radiohead.com

Phoenix announce short Australian tour

French alternative rock band Phoenix have let slip that they will be making their way over to Australia for a quick pop in tour. Whilst some might have hoped that they would appear at Splendour in The Grass, a little bit of research has dimmed those hopes. Phoenix will be appearing at Besfestival (UK) over the Splendour weekend. Nevertheless, Phoenix will be performing a couple of shows so far in Melbourne and Sydney come August time. Time will tell if they expand this tour to the rest of the country.

Phoenix last played in Australia as part of the 2007 V Festival to a rapturous applause. Phoenix was formed in 1996 when Laurent Brancowitz joined after leaving his band Darlin', which later went on to become Daft Punk. After three studio albums, Phoenix are back with their fourth 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix'. Its release date is set for May 25th, but already a single '1901' has been getting heaps of airplay over the radio. Their next single is 'Listzomania' and let us just tell you, it provides a great measure for what the rest of the album sounds like. We've been listening to 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' all week and it's bloody solid. It won't make our 'Best Of 2009' list, but its still a great listen.

Coldplay to release live album for free

Coldplay have decided to donate a new live album to a charity - the whole wide world.

Yes, the boys from Coldplay are to release a new live album which can be downloaded for free on their website. The nine-song set is called 'LeftRightLeftRightLeft' and fans will also be able to download the record from May 15.

So for those sitting on or below the poverty line, here's a chance to listen to a rousing live set whilst standing in line at Centrelink, on one of thousands of jobsearch websites or just bumming around blogging all day. Also, just in case you really have nothing to do, you can stare at the cover for a while and try and work out what you see. Everyone loves a Rorschach inkblot test.

www.coldplay.com