SMASHING PUMPKINS + CHRIS ISSAK + "Nowhere Man" = Pop goodness.

NEW RELEASES: Bob Mould, the Hold Steady, Richard Swift, Doves, Bat for Lashes, and more are streaming in full this week at Spinner.

ARCADE FIRE's Mirror Noir documentary is streaming via PitchforkTV.

DENT MAY & HIS MAGNIFICENT UKELELE does the four free songs thing for Daytrotter, one unreleased.  Think Jens Lekman, but even geekier.

ALL SONGS CONSIDERED: A new Dylan track, plus Sam Phillips, Grizzly Bear and more are featured in the latest edition of the long-running NPR series.

BUD SHANK, an alto saxophonist who was a key figure in the West Coast jazz scene of the 1950s, has died of pulmonary failure at 82. Shank also played flute and -- during a productive period of studio work -- had pivotal solos on the classic 1960s pop tunes "California Dreamin'" by the Mamas and the Papas and "Windy" by the Association.

U2 talks to the Irish Independent about the new album, Bono's original plan for Pres. Obama's inauguration, etc.

RYAN ADAMS: One of the last interviews he gave in support of 'final' Cardinals record, Cardinology, is posted at Drowned In Sound.  Now he's doing stuff like interviewing Marianne Faithfull for BlackBook.

M WARD talks to CNN about the long march of success, mixing times, sounds and genres, etc.

THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME induction ceremonies are surveyed at USA Today.

TOM BRADY & GISELE BUNDCHEN's armed bodyguards opened fire on paparazzi at the couple's nuptials in Costa Rica, blasting out the windows of a pho tographer's SUV, and just missing the shaken lensmen, fotogs said. Police will investigate.

LINDSAY LOHAN has denied she has been thrown out of the house she shares with girlfriend Samantha Ronson. No, wait, she's "taking a brief break" to focus on herself.  No, wait, she was dumped, like we heard all along.

JOHN TRAVOLTA & TOM CRUISE remaking Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid? Cue Vader!

BILLY CORGAN... and Tila Tequila! Vader, or LOL?

VIGGO MORTENSEN quitting the movies? Perhaps more credible than the Joaquin Phoenix saga...

THE FAST & THE BI-CURIOUS: NTTAWWT.

WOLVERINE: News Corp. fired "Fox 411" freelance columnist Roger Friedman for "promoting piracy," including a review from watching the purloined print of Wolverine -- which is a property of... News Corp. So it's really a case of "fired for stupidity."

FARRAH FAWCETT is denying rumors that the former Charlie's Angels is near death. Some of her friends are less optimistic.

REDMOND O'NEAL, the son of actors Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett, was arrested this morning on charges of trying to smuggle drugs into a county jail, adding to his long history of drug arrests.

NORTH KOREA: Though the North's launch apparently failed in its crucial third stage, it is an improvement on its last effort, US officials note, saying it would bolster its reputation among states pursuing the technology.

PAKISTAN will devise a concrete strategy to stem worsening security, the prime minister said on Monday. Some experts think the country could collapse in 6-12 months.

HAMSTER in a WOK: Let's go to the video.

CROC vs. WILD HOG: Who you got?

TOM THUMB: The tiny puppy set to be the world's smallest dog. Awww...some pics at the link.

DOG OVERBOARD has been reunited with its owners after surviving alone on an island for four months, reports said.

TINY MASTERS OF TODAY drop a video for "Skeletons" in advance of their album due in June.

MATES OF STATE played the 9:30 Club in DC on Saturday; you can stream the gig on demand via NPR. Jason Hammel talks to the Boston Globe about touring with the kids.

MARIANNE FAITHFULL and THE FELICE BROS. played the World Cafe on Friday; you can stream either gig or both via NPR.

METRIC is advance streaming their upcoming album, while Emily Haines answers 13 questions for AskMen.com.

BLITZEN TRAPPER stopped by SoundOpinions for a chat and mini-set.

BETTIE SERVEERT: "Tom Boy." Because someone reminded me of its 90s wonderfulness Friday night.

BOOKER T & THE DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS: Southern Shelter is streaming their April Fool's Day gig at the Variety Playhouse.

RYAN ADAMS, who swore off the 'net not so long ago, has a new website and Twitter account.

BISHOP ALLEN: Justin Rice talks to the NYDN about their small sound, and past creative day jobs.

MARK OLSON talks to Good Times Santa Cruz about his reunion with fellow Jayhawk Gary Louris. (Thx, LHB.)

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: Fast & Furious had a massive 72.5 million opening, biggest debut for an April weekend ever. Monsters vs. Aliens placed, but grossed only 33.5 million and fell a large-for-animation 44 percent. The Haunting in Connecticut shows with 9.6 million, dropping 59 percent, but still likely doing better than Lionsgate expected.  Knowing droped another 45 percent, taking in 8.1 million.  I Love You, Man rounds out the Top Five with 7.8 million -- a good hold, putting the flick ahead of where Forgetting Sarah Marshall was after three weekends.  Below the fold, Adventureland debuted in sixth with six million, with a decent per-screen average that gives hope for legs.  Sunshine Cleaning makes the Top Ten, despite being on only 479 screens.

MADONNA failed in her bid to adopt a second child from the country, due to residency rules.  Madge has already filed her appeal. Ex-hubby Guy Richie offered his public support.

FARRAH FAWCETT has been hospitalized in Los Angeles since Thursday, the latest setback in her long battle with cancer.

DEMI MOORE used her Twitter account to save the life of a suicidal woman.

RIHANNA is embracing single life by toasting her split from Chris Brown in NYC, according to new reports. Brown is going to plead not guilty to two felony charges today, according to RadarOnline.com.

LINDSAY LOHAN was barred from a Ronson family party by five bouncers.  She is reportedly locked out of Samantha Ronson's house, too. Lohan returned to the Chateau Marmont looking like she had a rough night.

JESSICA SIMPSON is thinking about "Dancing With the Stars," though there's no indication the show is thinking about her.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC in an Antwerp train station.  An ad and a rip-off of Improv Everywhere, but a good one.

GWYNETH PALTROW has been branded ‘loopy' by scientists after warning that products such as shampoo could be linked to cancer.

JOSH HARTNETT has been released from L.A.'s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

ROBERT DeNIRO is being sued by an ex-nanny.

HILARY DUFF was reportedly a screaming drunk in NYC Thursday night.

NORTH KOREA appeared to launch a rocket on Sunday, the Japanese government said, defying calls from world leaders to scrap a plan that has caused international alarm. UPDATE: The launch was a failure, though it still is an indicator of NoKo's intent.

IRAQ: Iraqi forces arrested two Sunni Arab neighborhood guards, a security spokesman said on Saturday, after a string of other arrests in Baghdad that raised tensions. Former Saddam loyalists are working to re-establish themselves in northern Iraq, planning for a time when US troops depart and will no longer play a direct role in Iraq's power struggles.

DOG steals blanket from cat.

HOPE the GERMAN SHEPHERD runs the lawnmower as part of The Ultimate Pet Show.

THE BIONIC CROC has passed away, after hanging on for two weeks.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT: A piglet with three eyes and two mouths.

THE WEEKEND STARTS HERE:

... with THE BEATLES! Live in Munich, on June 24, 1966. Your setlist includes "Rock and Roll Music," "Baby's In Black," "I Feel Fine," "Yesterday," "Nowhere Man," and "I'm Down."

NEIL YOUNG is advance streaming the Fork in the Road album.

VANDAVEER does the four free songs thing for Daytrotter, all unreleased, including a Magnetic Fields cover.

UPCOMING RELEASES: Chromewaves is streaming advance tracks from 1990s, Superchunk, King Khan & the Shrines, John Vanderslice and more...

TOMMY KEENE: "Please Don't Come Around" makes NPR's Song of the Day.

THE YOUNG FRESH FELLOWS THEME: T.G.I.F.

THE 111 BEST INDIE ALBUMS of all time, according to The Good, The Bad, and The Unknown. (Thx, LHB.)

LOS CAMPESINOS! Tom talks to Westword about his home town, his lack of stringent musical training, and more...

DOVES talk to The Quietus about their new album and upcoming tour.

WHAM! PopMatters devoted a special section to the 25th anniversary of the Make It Big LP for April Fool's Day.

THE CUTOUT BIN: From King Khan & the Shrines to Tommy James & the Shondells, from Petula Clark to the Jesus & Mary Chain, from Jack Black to Black Keys, plus Paul Westerberg, Aretha Franklin, Gary Numan, Nancy Sinatra, and more  -- this Friday's fortuitous finds are streaming from the Pate page at the ol' HM.

NOW SHOWING: This weekend's wide releases are the fourt hinstallment of Fast & Furious, which is currently scoring 17 percent on the ol' Tomatometer, and Adventureland, which is currently scoring 85 percent.

BRITNEY SPEARS: Trying to end her father's control?

CHARLIE SHEEN and Brooke Mueller's twin son Max remains hospitalized since his March 14 birth.

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY is brutally attacked by her boyfriend... in a shocking new domestic violence ad for the charity Women's Aid. Video at the link.

LINDSAY LOHAN denies rumors she is breaking up with Samantha Ronson.

WOLVERINE: The FBI are investigating the online leak of an unfinished copy of the X-Men Origins flick a month before its release date.

BRUNO dropped a red-band trailer, which means it's NSFW, natch.

AMY POEHLER of SNL and Parks & Recreation answers reader questions at TIME magazine.

TED NUGENT will hunt contestants in a new CMT reality show.

NORTH KOREA has begun fueling its long-range rocket, a senior US military official tells CNN.

PAKISTAN: Gen. Petraeus, the top American commander for Iraq and Afghanistan, warned a Senate panel on Wednesday that militant extremists in Pakistan "could literally take down their state" if left unchallenged, as he and two other top officials presented a grim picture of growing dangers in the region.  The NYT magazine asks whether Pres. Asif Ali Zardari can govern.

IRAQ: The security and political situation in Iraq continues to improve, but ethno-sectarian agendas and other obstacles remain, according to Defense Department findings.

BULLDOG & ORANGUTAN, living together... mass hysteria.

ORANGUTAN & LEOPARD CUBS, living together... real wrath of God stuff.

FUGITIVE FANGED DEAR savages dogs in rural Bedfordshire.

BIONIC FROG: The giant bullfrog was facing death after a dog mauled him but he survived thanks to surgeons.

GLASVEGAS plays "Geraldine" for Jimmy Fallon.  James Allan talks to Filter about songwriting, while he and bassist Paul Donoghue talk to the Daily Record about drinking, touring and the U.S. of A.

BOB MOULD does the four free songs thing for Daytrotter, all from the upcoming Life and Times album.

VAMPIRE HANDS does three free songs for Daytrotter, one unreleased, none from Bob Mould's new album.

NOAH & THE WHALE does audio and video for Maps. (Thx, Chromewaves.)

25 GREAT ALBUMS that work best when listened to start to finish.

NEKO CASE does a video Interface session. including "Middle Cyclone," "Don't Forget Me," "People Got a Lot of Nreve," and "I'm an Animal."

U2 does a video interview with PitchforkTV.

OKKERVIL RIVER: Pitchfork has video of Will Scheff's songwriting seminar at the Austin Bat Cave.

THE LEMONHEADS may finally release their long-rumored covers album.

WAVVES shares a few of his favorite things for Pitchfork's Guest List.

BRITNEY SPEARS having a fling with another backup dancer?  The dancer's mom hopes not!

BRIDGET MOYNIHAN is furious with Gisele Bundchen after Bundchen boldly bragged to Vanity Fair about being mommy to Moynahan and Tom Brady's son, John. Could not have seen that coming.

MADONNA deserves admiration this time, argues Liz Hunt.

BRADGELINA: Marriage ulimatum?

JOHN MAYER sang and blabbed about ex-gf Jennifer Aniston on his recent five-day cruise.

KRISTEN STEWART talks to USA Today about Adventureland, and used to be easier to live a secret life growing up in the 80s.

THE BOAT THAT ROCKED: Director Richard Curtis talks to In The News about his 60s pirate radio flick. Triple-trailer embedded at the link.

THE SIMPSONS will be commemorated on 44-cent First-Class Mail stamps designed by Simpsons creator and executive producer, Matt Groening.

ARAB LEADERS may be divided over which Palestinian faction to support and what to do about Iran's rising influence, but they have found one cause to rally around: protecting the president of Sudan from charges that he orchestrated the rape, killing and widespread pillaging in Darfur.

AFGHANISTAN: Taliban insurgents reject a US offer of "honorable reconciliation," a top spokesman said on Wednesday, calling it a "lunatic idea" and saying the only way to end the war was to withdraw foreign troops. US surge troops see the highway running south from Kabul as the road to freedom.

IRAQ has started flying unmanned aircraft or drones along its borders to stop foreign fighters and arms entering through neighbouring countries. Iraq's largest lake is tranquil again with al Qaeda gone.

DUELING BENGAL CATS on the exercise wheel. Welcome to the Jungle. More cowbell.

A SICK SEA TURTLE swam into the only licensed veterinary hospital in the world that treats sea turtles exclusively.

6000 RARE DOLPHINS have been found in Bangladeshi waters.

ANIMAL ACTIVE: Sir Richard Branson is launching a health club for pets.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT: A bunny with two noses.

ST. VINCENT rehearses a new song, "An Actor  Out of Work," at SxSW for NPR.

STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS do the four free songs thing for Daytrotter, including a cover of the James Gang's "Funk 49" with a cameo from Blitzen Trapper.

BOB MOULD stopped by The Current for a chat and mini-set streaming via MPR

ELENI MANDELL also stopped by The Current for a chat and mini-set.

BAT FOR LASHES is advance streaming the new album, due next Tuesday.

THE BEASTIE BOYS are streaming their reissue of 1992's Check Your Head with remastered tracks, rarities, B-sides, live tracks and remixes.

THE JESUS & MARY CHAIN: "April Skies," natch.

THE DECEMBERISTS: Colin Meloy talks to The A.V. Club the origins of The Hazards of Love, the expectations and stereotypes facing his no-longer-indie "indie" band, and why the press just didn't get Morrissey back in his salad days.

THE HOLD STEADY: Craig Finn talks to the Grand Rapids Press about playing to seated audiences, the role faith plays in his songwriting, and more...

U2: Neighbors of The Edge have become more than a little skeptical about his green credentials after seeing plans for a stunning £30million mansion he wants to build on top of an unspoilt mountain.

BOOKER T. JONES explains to Billboard why he picked the Drive-By Truckers as his latest backing band.

BRITNEY SPEARS found an on-tour playmate in a hunky 21-year-old backup dancer while father Jamie was tending to business in L.A. late this month.  She had such good luck marrying a backup dancer, so why not?

OPRAH WINFREY's elite boarding school for girls in South Africa has been rocked by its second sex scandal in fewer than two years.

ALYSON HANNIGAN of American Pie and How I Met Your Mother gave birth to a daughter on her own birthday.

MADONNA took her adopted son David to meet his father in Malawi.

STAR TREK: Paramount is already moving ahead on a sequel to the J.J. Abrams reboot.

YEAR ONE: The full trailer still isn't doing it for me, but it's an improvement over the SuperBowl ad, anyway.

SHERLOCK HOLMES, in the hands of Guy Ritchie and Robert Downey, Jr., may have a Pirates of the Caribbean vibe.

BILL HADER & KRISTEN WIIG of SNL talk to New York Magazine about playing an eccentric, co-dependent couple in the upcoming Adventureland.

IRAN: The message from Israel's new prime minister is stark: if the Obama administration doesn't prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, Israel may be forced to attack.

THE STANS: Finally, the world, from the United States to Iran, is recognizing their own self interest in taking on the opium and heroin traffickers in Afghanistan.  Meanwhile, Pres. Karzai, has signed a law which legalizes marital rape, tacitly approves child marriage and restricts a woman's right to leave the home, women's groups and the United Nations warn.  The US offered Taliban fighters who renounce violence in Afghanistan an "honorable form of reconciliation" on Tuesday.  Meanwhile, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban threatened to carry out a terrorist attack on Washington DC, and said his forces were behind an assault on a police academy in eastern Pakistan.

BABY LEAF-MONKEY, Awww...some video.

GIANT WHALE sedated at sea for rescue operation.

GIANT WORM launched a sustained attack on the coral reef in a display tank at Newquay's Blue Reef Aquarium over recent months. Ewww...some pic at the link.

SMALL GATOR stops in a Florida home for a quick bite.