sonic slang

Jay-Z close to new deal: The arrangement will bring the artist's future recording to Epic Records via his own Rock Nation imprint [via Billboard]

"Anti-Auto-Tune" Blueprint 3: Producer Kanye promises the Jay-Z LP will not ape his recent 808s and Heartbreak [via MTV]

Relapse tops Billboard: Eminem comeback LP moves 600K in first week [via Billboard]

Rock and Roll Hall Nominees Announced

This year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees are in and they include resurgent head-bangers, hip hop icons, a 5th time nominee that a lot of you won't have even heard of, and one long-overdue nod for a shirtless icon.  See the list after the jump.

The Hold Steady Sign to Rough Trade

OK this isn't exactly big news for us here in NYC, but we'll take what we can get when it comes to the new Hold Steady disc:

Tentatively set for a June release, word is that Stay Positive will now be released in the UK via Rough Trade.  The Best Bar Band in America is still signed to Vagrant stateside.

Download: The Hold Steady - "Stay Positive" (LIVE)

Idolator Sold to Buzznet

This weekend Idolator became the latest casualty of the Nick Denton empire, being shuttered off to Buzznet for an iPhone and some promo copies of E=MC2. 

Though we've always been a fan, the loss of the underperforming (by Gawker Media standards) blog comes as little surprise.  Now, the adding of Wonkette and Gridskipper to the fire sale caught us off guard.  Look out Denton - SS Media is ready to make its move!

Feist Takes Top Honors at Junos

And now for the latest reason we're defecting to Canada:

Last night Feist cleaned up at the Junos (read: Canadian Grammys), taking home five trophies including Album, Single and Artist of the Year.  Arcade Fire also picked up a nod for Alternative Album. 

In related news, Herbie Hancock is still just a funny line in Tommy Boy to anyone under the age of 35.

Label Tries to Ride Rick-Rolling Wave

OK, we all know the music industry is in the crapper, but this is too funny: Rick Astley's label has elected to move up the release of the 80s star's hits collection by two weeks, in hopes of riding the Rick-Rolling phenomenon to some extra sales. 

It seems that nobody bothered to clue these guys in on the shelf live for viral web "phenomenons."   April 28 is a looong way out, in Internet time.  But hey, at least somebody figured out a way to keep this thing on the blogger radar.  Check out Astley's Muppet doppleganger strutting his stuff after the jump.

Jay-Z Signs Deal with Live Nation

Looks like Live Nation hit the motherload this time.  After already securing multi-year deals with industry juggernauts like Madonna and U2, the concert promotions giant has reportedly signed Jay-Z to a $150 million deal.

Not that the dude is hard up for cash, but if Mr. Carter ever wanted to splurge on a rock for that alleged wedding, now is definitely the time.

via Time:

"Live Nation is expected to furnish Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, with $5 million in seed money annually for his own label, publishing arm and management company, with significantly more funds available for future acquisitions and expansion. He will also receive a $25 million upfront payment and $10 million per album for a minimum of three albums over the next decade."

MySpace Helps 90's Punkers Pennywise Go "Gold"

Does anybody still use MySpace?  Does anyone still listen to Pennywise?  Hell, do you youngsters that use MySpace even know who Pennywise is??  Well it appears that half a million of you were excited enough about the band's new disc, Reason to Believe, (or sponsor Textango, who required your "friendship" as part of the deal) to download it for free. So Pennywise is now "outselling" The Black Crowes.  Ahhh the Internet. 

Matador Drops Free Music Sampler

The generous folks at Matador have just released their Intended Play music sampler as a free digital download.  Cat Power, The New Pornographers, Mission of Burma and Stephen Malkmus are among the artists represented, so get over there before excited bloggers like us crash their servers.

Check out the full track list after the jump.

Check Out the New SS Playlist

We've launched a new feature today, courtesy of the cool kids over at Last.fm.  Check out the right-hand column and you'll find a handy-dandy music player pre-loaded with a some of our favorite tunes currently rockin' the SS jukebox.  There's a mix of 30-second clips and full-track streams, making it an easy way to get a quick peek at the bands we've had on the brain lately.  Then if you wanna find out more, just hit up the search box underneath.  Enjoy, and check back soon for updates...