Stereogum — The Drum' "I Felt So Stupid" is a really catchy song ... wait for that chorus. As I mentioned last time: On their MySpace they list the Smiths, the Legends, the Shangri-Las, the Tough Alliance, the Embassy, Orange Juice, and Joy Division as influence... more info

Rolling Stone — The Band: Junius The Buzz: Breathtaking Boston metal band pulls off a perfect hybrid of Neurosis and the Smiths, striking a stunning balance of brutality and beauty. Their latest album, The Martyrdrom of a Catastrophist, is a concept record about cat... more info

Guardian Music — These cerebral prog-poppers prove that Manchester is finally producing innovative, intelligent music againHometown: Manchester.The lineup: Duncan Wallis (vocals), Robin Richards (bass), Pete Broadhead (guitar), Dan Spedding (guitar), Andy Proudfoot (... more info

Rollo & Grady — Animal Collective Pitchfork – Top 100 Songs of 2009 100 Darkstar – “Aidy’s Girl’s a Computer” 99 Julianna Barwick – “Bode” 98 Future of the Left – “Arming Eritrea” 97 The Smith Westerns – “Be My Girl” 96 Gucci Mane [Feat... more info

Yahoo! Music UK — Dotmusic - Former Smiths idol apologises for latest album more info

Radio Exile — Far too many people compete to be the best house on their block as it pertains to Christmas lights and/or holiday decorations. Due to not owning a house and also renting in NYC, that’s not an option for the Smiths. Still, I can understand the “G... more info

Silent Uproar — Johnny Marr (The Smiths, Modest Mouse) is set to score the film The Big Bang, "a detective thriller starring Antonio Banderas, Delroy Lindo and Sam Elliott." Marr is currently playing guitar for The Cribs. [spinner.com] more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — The English singer shows no signs of his difficult year. To go by the lyrics of the dozens of extravagantly unhappy songs he's written since he founded the Smiths a quarter of a century ago, the English singer known simply... more info

Guardian Music — If rock'n'roll is the sound of life beginning afresh, why are we so obsessed with ranking it in end-of-year lists? Philip Larkin has the answerAlong with half the pop-loving population of Britain, I tuned in to listen to Morrissey on Desert Island Di... more info

Guardian Music — The late singer's family is no longer seeking a judicial review of her death, saying they have achieved 'most' of their aimsThe family of Kirsty MacColl has suspended their Justice for Kirsty campaign, which sought a judicial review of the singer's d... more info