VCMG is the new collaboration between Vince Clarke (Erasure, Yazoo, Depeche Mode) and Martin L. Gore (Depeche Mode) and is preparing to release its as-yet-untitled debut in early 2012 via Mute. In the meantime, the duo is issuing a series of EPs, the first of which will be available on November 30 … The Chieftans are celebrating a staggering 50 years of traditional Irish music with Voice Of Ages, out February 21 on Hear/Concord. The anniversary album features an array of guest artists including Bon Iver, the Decemberists, the Low Anthem and many more. The band will continue to celebrate this momentous occasion on a U.S. tour, ending with a St. Patrick’s Day show at Carnegie Hall … Old Ideas, Leonard Cohen’s first studio album in eight years, will be out January 31 via Columbia Records … Ben Kweller put together a small teaser, “Heads & Tails,” in anticipation of his upcoming full-length Go Fly A Kite (set for a February 7 release via The Noise Company). Check it out here … On December 19, get into the non-holiday spirit with Atheist Xmas (Wichita), an EP of alternative Christmas songs from Gruff Rhys … Sonik Kicks is the 11th solo album from Paul Weller, slated for a March 27 release via Yep Roc … Au Revoir Simone and Victoria Legrand join Air on its project composing the soundtrack to legendary silent film Le Voyage Dans La Lune (A Trip To The Moon). The expanded album inspired by the film will be available February 7 via Astralwerks … RCA/Legacy continues the Elvis Presley series of Legacy Edition multi-disc packages with the release of Elvis Country: Legacy Edition on January 3.
—Emily Costantino
