A bumper list this week, as the 2009 releases start arriving in the Uncut office. Not everything here is going down ecstatically, but a first listen to the new Fennesz album today suggests that one was well worth waiting for. In the continuing absence of those My Bloody Valentine reissues, let alone any unreleased material from Kevin Shields’ archives, “Black Sea” really deserves to bring Christian Fennesz to a wider audience, I think.

As promised, the judges' prevarications over the Uncut Music Award shortlist continue today. Here's what they said about the Elbow record. Monday, I'll post the Drive-By Truckers discussions.

The singer's back-up singers Charley and Hattie Webb

Singers Charley and Hattie Webb reveal all about life on the road

As you may have seen elsewhere on our website, the first winners of the Uncut Music Award have just been revealed as the Fleet Foxes. I spoke to Robin Pecknold last week to get his reaction, and found out a couple more things from him. One, he’s as anxious to hear the new Animal Collective album as many more Wild Mercury Sound regulars.

Influential musician was last surviving member of the group

As promised, here are the judges discussing Bon Iver's "For Emma, Forever Ago". Tomorrow, find out what they had to say about Elbow.

Rod Stewart says Ronnie Wood and co. will reconvene in the studio next week!

Paul McCartney soars out of his comfort zone

Their 13th LP, and, luckily, it's rather good