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Today is iPhone day, no getting around that. There's the crazies camped out at Apple's SoHo and Midtown locations (whom we may go take pics of later today, why not), there's the luddites that think it's all nothing but tech hype ... and then there's Stephen Colbert, who's a satirical gadget-envy ridden mess.

If you're reading this from your soon-to-be-disposed smartphone in line at Station A on Prince St., drop us a line so we can take a picture of you to post and ridicule. And then mug you on your way out of the store. Thanks!

Who's got plans to pony up the cash for one of these things? Waiting for second generation? Or just non-plussed altogether?

The "name the influence" game, whether or not it turns out to be accurate, is way too tempting to play. It's just plain lazy to say a band sounds like "XTC and Journey carpooling to a Clap Your Hands Say Yeah show," but sometimes it's the most succinct way to sum up a band's sound. Reductive yes, but also succinct.

When I first listened to Alina Simone's record Placelessness, many names starting coming to mind: PJ Harvey, Sleater-Kinney, Chan Marshall, Patti Smith. The influences seem obvious, and why not? Who wouldn't want to sound like those artists?

Alina Simone - Saw Edged Grass.

That isn't to say Alina doesn't have her own thing going on here. I think "Saw Edged Grass" is a good, original track, sort of a ballad in a rock song's clothing. She's originally from the Ukraine, grew up in Massachusetts (represent!), and is now based in New York City. Placelessness comes out on Aug. 21, so keep tabs on her MySpace page and label website.

Our video gaming glory days were left with the 16-bit revolution (so if you want to get schooled in NHL or Madden '96 -- Genesis style -- you know where to come; the same place for obviously lame smack talk), and though Guitar Hero has ushered in somewhat of a renaissance in this treasured form of useless procrastination, we acknowledge that placing music in the electronic arts, if you will, is a big deal. Just not quite as big a deal as the folks that work at Electronic Arts think it is. If you will.

EA has released to MTV the QOTSA-including soundtrack lineup for this summer's football game Madden '08, saying that the Madden soundtrack announcement was "the most important showcase for music industry icons." Though that's impressively delusional, the EA guys just wanted to add:

Lots and lots of Fields remixes for you. Hopefully you’re already aware of Fields and all these remixers? If not they’re all some of the best. Hopefully this starts your Friday off right… dance, dance, dance for the weekend.

Fields - “Song For The Fields” (mp3)

Fields - “Song For The Fields” (Ewan Pearson remix) (mp3)

Fields - “If You Fail” (SebastiAn Remix) (mp3)

Fields - “If You Fail” (Badlands Remix) (mp3)

So… unrelated but who’s snagging an iPhone today?

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What the world needs is more remixes by CSS… I’m loving all their remix work that keeps coming out. I can’t say I’m too familiar with the original Cribs track, but this seems lighter than it should be… like something serious is going on but it doesn’t matter. Does that even make sense?

The Cribs - “Men’s Needs” (CSS Remix)(mp3)

The original (almost) dirty video (more…)

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Knee-jerk reaction for indie kids is to equate "loud" with "sludgy rock guitars," and so it is in Q mag's list for the 20 loudest records in the history of mankind (or at least, since 1967). But hey it's nice to see Aphex Twin and even Public Enemy thrown in there with the mandatory Sunn0))) and Big Black drops. Have a look see...

20. Velvet Underground - White Light/White Heat (Verve, 1967)
19. AC/DC - Back In Black (Columbia, 1980)
18. Sunn0))) - White (Southern Lord, 2006)
17. Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced? (Track, 1967)
16. Aphex Twin - I Care Because You Do (Warp, 1995)
15. Black Flag - Damaged (SST, 1981)
14. The Birthday Party - Prayers On Fire (4AD, 1981)
13. Motorhead - No Sleep Til Hammersmith (Bronze, 1981)
12. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin (Atlantic, 1969)
11. Neil Young – Arc Weld (Reprise, 1991)

We've been curiously quiet about '05 faves Art Brut's latest release and to explain, well it's actually not a bit complicated -- as figured, Eddie's talkie witticisms don't have quite the same impact the second go around. Then again, "Post Soothing Out" is one of their best tracks yet. Guess it'll take another night of Ed yelling "Ready, Art Brut?" to get us raving again (they're never not awesome live, are they) ... or maybe more vids like this. Debauched emperor Argos, cheerleading his hedonistic minions to take it to the dancefloor where they'll no longer be scared to commit. Roman orgy, tearing the fourth wall to bits? OK Eddie, this one's a direct hit. Do "Post Soothing Out" next please.

Anyone who's been seduced by the dancetastic sounds of Junior Senior already knows the Danish duo believe there is joy in repetition, that there's nothing a good popdiscorock beat can't fix. And the US has been deprived of an official release of second effort Hey Hey My My Yo Yo for the past two years, so added incentive to American Jr. Sr. fans comes by way of the seven track Say Hello Wave Goodbye EP, coming to LP purchasers as a limited edition bonus companion disc.

So, to the new music. Well, lead track "Headphone Song" might not be up to the highest peaks of D-D-Don't Don't Stop The Beat or "Can I Get Get Get," but just 'cause it don't stutter doesn't mean it's not special. Actually, it's a perfect party jam, spreading a couple of body-rocking movements over its five-and-a-half minute stretch. "If the world seems grey ... if you have a bad day, put your headphones on / If your friends won't play, put your headphones on..." We love escapist advice, and it's worth heeding for this one.

We know, after Sebadoh got together and took it on the road this year it was like what's next, the Spice Girls?! From your lips to Vic Beckham's breast implants. Here they are, in their own words... (via BV)

So, brace yourself, the Girls may be coming to a country near you! But first, let's talk about those nicknames, yeah? Sure they helped 'em sell 55 billion records in years past, but ... Sporty, Posh, Ginger, Baby, Scary ... the names don't really fit the gals in '07, right? They've been plenty busy since those halcyon "Wannabe" days. Using what you know of their post-Spice exploits, got some new monikers for the ladies? Baby's gotta be Prego Spice, no? Mull that over, take the jump for tour dates and a pic of the girls playing with flags.

The Flaming Lips UFO spectacular at Bonnaroo was a fest highlight, as always. And though the 'Roo is long gone, we didn't get to share this bit of serendipitous videography ... and it really is a must-watch. For those who've never seen Coyne's bubble-walking in action -- and for those that have never walked in a bubble themselves, for that matter -- here's a front-row seat to the buoyant madness. From that last look Wayne flashes, it seems that you never quite get over the thrill of stepping on your fans' loving faces.