Another day, another band reunion. But here are a couple we can certainly get behind, courtesy of our pals at Merge Records. New Zealand legends the Clean (pictured) return September 8 with Mister Pop, the group’s first studio effort since 2001’s Getaway. Download “In The Dreamlife You Need A Rubber Soul” … Polvo has reformed to issue In Prism, the math rockers’ first LP since 1997’s Shapes, also out September 8. A short run of gigs starts June 26 in Charlotte, N.C., and includes a set at XX Merge, the label’s 20th anniversary festival. Download Jason Forrest’s “Dark New Age (Polvo Remix)” … As with many reunions, boxed sets often seem to honor artists who seem unworthy of a large collection. Not so with Keep An Eye On The Sky (Rhino), a four-CD package celebrating Big Star. Out September 15, the set will, uh, set you back $69.98, but considering it includes demos, unreleased tracks and live takes, it’s probably worth selling some plasma to afford. Listen to the previously unreleased “Lovely Day” … Canada’s finest, the Weakerthans, will be crossing the border for some West Coast dates, starting July 18 in Seattle. East Coast and Midwest shows kick off September 16 in Boston. An iTunes session recorded during the band’s recent Rolling Tundra Revue will be available June 30. Download “Sun In An Empty Room” … Regina Spektor’s new record, far (gotta love the lower case), is out June 23 on Sire. It’s available for pre-order at iTunes … Paul McCartney is slated to play the first concerts at the new Citi Field in New York City, July 17-18 … Looking for free music? Al Jourgensen (Ministry) has you covered. His label, 13th Planet, has released a gratis digital EP featuring unreleased tracks, remixes and videos from the likes of the aforementioned Ministry plus Revolting Cocks, Prong and others. Download the thing … A while ago—a few sentences ago, actually—we mentioned iffy reunions and boxed sets. We forgot to add unnecessary tribute records to the pet-peeve list. New Tales To Tell: A Tribute To Love And Rockets (Arsenal Rock ‘N’ Roll/Justice) is out July 28 digitally, August 18 physically. Frank Black, the Flaming Lips and the Dandy Warhols highlight the participants, plus there’s Better Than Ezra doing “So Alive.” It sells itself … Closing this litany of annoyances is the hyperbolic press release. Here’s the dooziest of the doozies: “It’s without a doubt that two of the most legendary and important bands in the history of rock music have been Def Leppard and the Sex Pistols.” Without a doubt. The reason for such ridiculousness: Man Raze, the new band featuring Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen and Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook, whose album, Surreal (VH1 Records), is now available. And you wonder why we’re cranky.
