Songs:Illinois — I went a little bit off the deep end for the songs of Jon Jackson about two years ago. As a result I’m now a lifelong fan. So much so that I actually prefer the songs he’s written to any number of cover songs he’s performed over that time. No... more info

Guardian Music — Withering put-downs and gorgeous tunes: the Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt is himself once moreThe drawback to making the Album of Your Life is the problem of what to do with your life afterwards. Admittedly, it's a problem most rock and pop artist... more info

The Playlist — Wow, this is interesting. A ten-year-in-the-making documentary on the Magnetic Fields and its notoriously private (plus misanthropic and surly) singer-songwriter Stephin Merrit is apparently mostly complete and will be screening at The San Francisco ... more info

Pitchfork - Tours — 02-04 Washington, DC - Lisner Auditorium 02-06 Montreal, Quebec - Corona Theatre 02-08 Toronto, Ontario - Queen Elizabeth Theatre 02-10 Boston, MA - Wilbur Theatre 02-11 Boston, MA - Wilbur Theatre 02-13 Brooklyn, NY - BAM Howard Gilman Opera Hou... more info

Undercover, Australia — Peter Gabriel has recorded The Magnetic Fields `The Book Of Love` and in return The Magnetic Fields have recorded Gabriel`s `Not One Of Us`. more info

NME — Singer's cover of The Magnetic Fields' 'The Book of Love' will be released on January 30 more info

Stereogum — We've spoken about Scratch My Back , Peter Gabriel's anticipated Bob Ezrin-produced orchestral covers collection featuring reinterpretations of Radiohead, Arcade Fire, the Magnetic Fields, Bon Iver, Elbow, Talking Heads, Lou Reed, Regina Spektor,... more info

Pop Justice — It's out today, which is earlier than it was supposed to be out, and the reason for that is that there were some cover versions creeping up the iTunes chart (http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/sep/26/shakira-itunes-she-wolf-cover-versions) and Owl ... more info

Altsounds — The 18th annual Noise Pop Festival will take place February 23rd through March 1, 2009 at venues throughout San Francisco, CA. Event Producers, Noise Pop Industries have announced many more artists set to play the festival. Artist confirmation... more info

Fantastic Weapon — Let's be honest here: Galapaghost sounds a lot like a lot of stuff we've already heard. True. But you can probably name 5 bands you love the shit out of that sound a lot alike, right? Well, so can we. For starters: The Magnetic Fields, Dent May & His... more info