Stereogum — Name: R.E.M. Progress Report: Mike Mills talks greatest hits, covering Big Star, and life after R.E.M. It’s kind of hard to comment on the progress of a band that just released a career-capping retrospective and officially broke up. Still, it’s h... more info

Here Comes The Flood — Minneapolis quartet High on Stress are about perseverance. Their third album iving Is a Dying Art digs even further in darker niches of DIY garage rock. They like to get in your face and under your skin, serving up their song with bravado. They ran... more info

Topix — On Sunday, Nov. 13, Tav Falco is in town for two events. He is the semi-ironic, Memphis-born garage rockabilly singer, personality and provacateur with whom the late Alex Chilton frequently collaborated. more info

Stereogum — With their last show in Los Angeles dating back nearly six years ago at the Troubadour, Kings of Convenience returned without a new album or any merchandise for sale and still easily sold out the Music Box. Some of many highlights of the evening incl... more info

Guardian Music — You really let loose on this week's suggestions, breaking out everything from Dylan to a dark Alex Chilton collaborationEscapism is an essential component of some of the best pop music. Of some of the best music, even. What is transcendence if not es... more info

ContactMusic — Michael Sheen sometimes wishes he could be more of a star The Queen star is one of the most respected actors of his generation but he doesnt really generate lots of publicity which can be a bit frustrating at times Michael - who used to da... more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — It can’t be easy being Coldplay vocalist Chris Martin, with so many critics working overtime to justify their contempt, picking apart his band’s words not for enjoyment but in a search for the cheesiest mixed metaphors, listening to melodies not ... more info

Aquarium Drunkard — Trailer for the upcoming Big Star Documentary Nothing Can Hurt Me: The Big Star Story. more info

Stereogum — Cool For School, a digital-only compilation that benefits The Lunchbox Fund, features covers by the likes of Bright Eyes and Albert Hammond, Jr. Today, we’re sharing a track that features the second-most-famous Stroke covering Big Star’s 1972 cla... more info

Chicago Tribune — Kurt Cobain and the riot grrrls would approveLike the Velvet Underground and Big Star, the Raincoats were one of those bands who were better at inspiring future generations of bands than selling records. more info