Pitchfork — Consider this the capstone on a summer that's seen more music-related political benefits than we can count: A bunch of musicians have painted plain black slogans on white poster boards for a series of charitable eBay auctions sponsored by Under the R... more info

Stereogum — We gave you the details on the Decemberists' forthcoming Always The Bridesmaid 12" series, that "Valerie Plame," the first track on the first volume, is from -- to quote the press release -- "the point-of-view of one of Plame's inside contacts upon... more info

Chorus.fm — *The Decemberists (http://www.absolutepunk.net/thedecemberists)* will be digitally releasing Always The Bridesmaid: A Singles Series (new material) starting October 14th. More info here (http://www.buzzine.com/2008/08/decemberists-bridesmaid-volumes... more info

Pop Candy — The new issue of Under the Radar magazine is dubbed "The Protest Issue," and it spotlights R.E.M., Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie, Spoon, the Flaming Lips, The Decemberists and many others. Protest signs designed by these musicians are being... more info

Pitchfork — Give. Listen. Help. Volume 5 is a double-disc, 27-song collection of tunes from a pretty impressive cast of characters, due at your local Urban Outfitters from October 15 of this year through January 31 of the next. Radiohead, Of Montreal, the Decemb... more info

Mercury News, California — Tickets on saleAvailable nowThe Decemberists. Nov. 25. The Warfield, San Francisco. Ticketmaster.Ben Folds. more info

Said the Gramophone — [photo source] Alina Simone - "Half My Kingdom". A Brooklyn singer born in the Ukraine, singing a song by the Russian folk-punk Yanka Dyagileva - the title translated but the rest still Russian. But this is not as impenetrable as it sounds. Simon... more info

Spinner.com — Filed under: News Today, Oh Boy!Spinner.com: A previously unheard David Bowie track called 'Mocking Bird' has been discovered. The song is a rare recording of Bowie's first band, the Konrads.The Decemberists will be returning to the road in support ... more info