Gorillaz to release free album this Christmas

Gorillaz, who's 2010 album 'Plastic Beach' is currently making many year-end best-of lists, will be treating fans to a further new album on Christmas day according to a new interview with frontman Damon Albarn.

Very little is currently known about the release, other than that it was recorded on an iPad during the band's critically-acclaimed US tour, and that the music will be made available free of charge via Gorillaz.com

"On Christmas Eve a video for one of the new songs from the iPad album will be released. Then, on Christmas Day fans get the whole album downloaded to their computer for free as a gift." - Damon Albarn

Click here for more information.

Cowboy Junkies new album 'Demons'

Canada's Cowboy Junkies have just released Volume 2 of their 'Nomad Series', 'Demons', exclusively to their site's Clubhouse subscribers. The album follows this year's excellent 'Renmin Park' set and will be succeeded by a further 2 volumes before the end of next year.

The following comes from the Junkies' latest mail-out:

"We just want to let you know that we have finished Demons, Volume 2 of the Nomad Series. It’s an album made up of songs written by the late, great Vic Chesnutt. We are pretty proud of it and we have a sneaking feeling that you are going to dig it too.

The album will be available in wide release on February 15th, and it will be available through our site on January 18th. But in the meantime, if you have bought a Clubhouse Subscription, you can go, now, to the Clubhouse and download it and a seven song bonus EP."

Clubhouse subscribers are entitled to a number of special features, including downloads of over 300 rare and archival tracks from the band, and a forthcoming limited edition hardcover book.

For further details visit the band at www.latentrecordings.com

Crash Test Dummies release 'Oooh La La'

Canada's own Crash Test Dummies are back from a 6 year hiatus with 'Oooh La La', an eclectic new album who's genesis lies in frontman and songwriter Brad Roberts' exploration of vintage toy instruments.

Produced by Stewart Lerman (Antony & The Johnsons, The Roches), and featuring vocals from long-term member Ellen Reid, the albums twists and turns take in everything from the dark, meditative opener 'Songbird' to the burly-q tease of 'Now You See Her'.

Check out the video above, and head to the recently revamped crashtestdummies.com to hear the album, order your copy and check out the band's upcoming tour dates.