News

The Black Keys shed light on the making of their greatest albums in the new issue of Uncut, out on Friday (November 23). The duo, who are set to play two dates at London’s O2 Arena in December, explain how they moved from recording on four-track in drummer Patrick Carney’s basement for their first few albums to holing up in more luxurious studios with producer Danger Mouse on last year’s El Camino.

The new issue of Uncut will be on sale from Friday. Subscribers, of course, those sensibly organised people who plan ahead and have their lives in probably perfect order, may already have started receiving their copies. Lucky them! We’re actually still waiting for ours, but not yet fretting that they’ve been re-routed, sent via some staging post on a distant tundra where passing yaks may end up feasting upon them, the chomp-chomp-chomp of their distracted munching the only sound in that vast space, the hairy ruminants quite indifferent, of course, to what’s actually in the issue. Which is a lot, and includes in the grand annual tradition of these things, our review of the year, a 30-page special, featuring our Top 75 Albums Of 2012, plus the best reissues and box sets, films, DVDs and books, as voted for by over 40 Uncut contributors.

Lenny Kravitz is to play Marvin Gaye in a film of the last years of the late American soul singer's life. According to The Evening Standard, the film is being made by Julien Temple. It will be singer Kravitz's first major film role, having most recently appeared as a stylist in teen blockbuster The Hunger Games. Janis Gaye, the singer’s second and last wife, has said she feels “very sceptical” about the project.

T.Rex’s classic album, The Slider, is 40 years old this year. And what better way to celebrate such an auspicious anniversary that with a definitive limited edition box set, packed full of extra material?

The Gaslight Anthem have paid tribute to their homestate of New Jersey in the video for their track "National Anthem". The video - which you can watch above - shows images of the devastation which befell the East Coast of the United States, including New York, when Hurricane Sandy hit last month. The video is accompanied by a message from the band, which reads: "Stay strong, Jersey. Love, The Gaslight Anthem."

Bryan Ferry answers your questions in the next issue of Uncut, out on Friday (November 23). The Roxy Music frontman and solo artist takes your queries, as well as some from Andy Mackay, Paul Thompson and Johnny Marr, on topics including his new album, The Jazz Age, his old paper round, and whether he’s planning to finish the new album Roxy Music recorded last decade.

Eric Clapton has announced a run of American tour dates, beginning in March in Phoenix, Arizona and ending up with two nights at New York's storied Madison Square Garden. The two New York shows are part of the Crossroads Festival, which will also feature performances from The Allman Brothers Band, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, John Mayer, BB King, Gary Clark Jr. and more. March 14 Phoenix, AZ – U.S. Airways Center 16/3 Houston, TX – Toyota Center 17/3 Austin, TX – Frank Erwin Center 19/3 Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center

AC/DC are releasing their back-catalogue on iTunes, having previously taken a stance against digital releases. The Australian rockers had been among the biggest bands missing from the digital download service, but just as Apple reached an agreement to land long-time hold-outs The Beatles and Led Zeppelin on iTunes, AC/DC's label Columbia Records have agreed terms. The band's entire catalogue, including the 16 studio albums from 1976 debut High Voltage to 2008's Black Ice, will be available, along with four live albums and three compilation albums.

Alabama Shakes were asked to enter X Factor USA, according to lead singer Brittany Howard. The band were approached by a researcher to appear on the US version of the popular television talent contest before they got signed to Rough Trade Records. When asked what her opinion was on TV talent shows, Brittany Howard said they are "kind of fucked up" before revealing that the band were asked to appear on Simon Cowell's programme.

A musical production based on Jeff Buckley's life will retell the story of Romeo And Juliet and is currently in development, according to reports. The Guardian says that The Last Goodybe, named after one of Buckley's most popular songs, will be directed by Alex Timbers, with a series of workshops set to take place in New York in early 2013.