Guardian Music — Having just listened to Van Morrison's 'Astral Weeks' over and over again last week while writing about it for the Observer Review, I am more convinced than ever of its unassailable greatness. Nothing in popular music compares with it in terms of it... more info

Pitchfork — On November 24, fine art auction house Christie's will host an auction of punk, rock, soul, and reggae memorabilia called "Pop Culture: Punk/Rock" at its 20 Rockefeller Plaza location in New York City [via Idolator]. Well-to-do aging punk rockers: He... more info

Stereogum — Beating Hot Topic at its own game, Christie's has scheduled their first full-scale auction of punk memorabilia. The lots, which go up for sale on 11/24, include more than 120 records, photos and "promotional pieces" from Patti Smith, the Ramones, th... more info

Pitchfork — R.E.M. will give their classic debut album, 1983's Murmur, a deluxe reissue on November 25. The package, which comes courtesy of I.R.S./UMe, features two discs and liner notes with essays from producers Mitch Easter and Don Dixon, as well as several ... more info

Idolator — As Matos mentioned earlier this month, the Seattle radio station KEXP decided to mark its annual membership drive by counting down its listeners' 903 favorite albums—and they'd better realize that however much Radiohead is currently in their playli... more info

Stereogum — The National did a full-on cover of "What Goes On" at New York Magazine's 40th Anniversary Party this past Friday night. Maybe they were inspired by the various forms of "Caroline Says, Pt. II" and other Berlin: Live at St. Ann's Warehouse-related m... more info

The Music Slut — Enjoy Friday night's performance of 'What Goes On' below (clip via Sauw Space).MP3: The National - Fake Empire more info

Time Out, London — John Cale-curated tribute to the deathlessly cool Velvet Underground collaborator, Nico, featuring a revolving cast of alternative music stars more info

L.A. Times - Entertainment — The Velvet Underground rocker hones his creative legacy with help from saxophonist Krieger and electronic alchemist Sarth Calhoun. more info

Pitchfork — This year marked the 20th anniversary of Nico's untimely passing, which means it's as good a time as any for a handful of musician friends and fans to come together and commemorate the life and work of the beloved singer and Velvet Underground associ... more info