The inventor of the Fender guitar and Motown group The Four Tops are set to receive a lifetime achievement awards at the 2009 Grammys. Clarence “Leo” Fender will be remembered with a technical award, while the band will be honoured for their career at the ceremony in Los Angeles on February 7. Trustees Awards go to jazz producer George Avakian, composer Elliott Carter, and songwriter Allen Toussaint. See the full list of 2009 Grammy Award nominations, lead by Lil’ Wayne and Coldplay, on NME.COM now.

The world’s third largest record company Warner Music Group has pulled all of its YouTube videos, having failed to negotiate acceptable contract renewal terms with the company. Artists now absent from Google’s flagship video sharing website include Led Zeppelin, Madonna and the The Ramones. In addition to the videos themselves, Warner are also demanding that any user submitted clips featuring their artists be removed – no mean feat considering the ever growing multitude of vids online. In a further twist, in 1990 Warner bought the rights to Happy Birthday to You and effectively own the tune and lyrics until 2030, further complicating the issue. Google is currently attempting to negotiate terms with the remaining members of the �?big four’ – EMI, Sony and Universal. Talks broke down after Google attempted to change the way that the labels generate revenue from their current pay-per-play terms to a more ad focused system. According to australianit.news.com.au, Google owners Larry Page and Sergey Brin should be looking over the fence at recently launched video website Hulu which operates on a basis of sharing full television content such as Family Guy and Arrested Development with each clip preloaded with unskippable ads. With 24 million unique hits in October, the US-only website is certainly making the big boys sit up and take notice. Pair this with the recent breakdown in talks with YouTube, and it is clear to see why the record labels are looking to fashion a similar music based website to rival the Tube. With a bit of luck, the other three labels will nut out a deal with Google, keeping YouTube as good a timewaster as ever, and just remember that for every New Order, Fleetwood Mac and Red Hot Chili Peppers track that goes down, they’ll also take one from The Veronicas, TV Rock and Nickelback – so its not all bad. Stay tuned to ITM for Warner vs. YouTube – Round 2!

With thanks to the late Layne Staley I try not to plan the funeral before the body has died but there's only one Tuesday left in 2008 and there's nothing I'm in a hurry to go out and buy. Three years down the road I may come across a 2008 album I missed and want to amend this list, but for now, for better and worse these are my Top Songs of 2008. The best thing about this list is no song from my Album of the Year appears on it. As odd as that may seem, it underscores my reason for naming it my Album of the Year (we'll get to that discussion soon enough). What follows is a list of the best songs I heard this year. In some cases, they've come from albums I loved and in others they were the best thing on an album that disappointed. I've limited myself to one song per album in order to keep some sort of order here. These songs may not work for you, but they're a few of the ones that got me through. “Consoler of the Lonely” - The Raconteurs, Consolers Of The Lonely: This feels less like a song and more like a collage. Brendan Benson and Jack White trade lines over a start-stop riff with some squalls of Jack's lead guitar racket interspersed. Something this disjointed shouldn't be this catchy, but I'll be damned if it's not. This is a house favorite. “So He Won't Break” - The Black Keys, Attack & Release: The Black Keys shouldn't make all future albums with Danger Mouse, but their work on Attack & Release came off much better than I'd have predicted. DM's sonic touchups reveal these guys are capable of executing their ideas with more than riffs and grit. “So He Won't Break” mixes some alt-pop with the blues and DM's tasty sonic accents. “Birmingham” - The Bittersweets, Goodnight, San Francisco: I live 90 minutes from Birmingham and believe me when I say never imagined anything this lovely and wonderful could spring from there. This is one of Hannah Prater's best vocals and that is saying something. “Short Street” - Dave Carter, Commitment and Change: If I become a jazz fan before I die, Dave Carter's Commitment and Change will have something to do with it. Just as with “Muhammad Ali” on Barrett Martin's The Painted Desert (Martin serves as drummer and producer for this fine quartet), within the first few bars of album opener “Short Street,” I sensed the presence of something special. This composition has such a great feel to it and Carter, Martin, Luis Guerra, and John Rangel maintain that over the course of the entire record. “Somebody's Baby” - Jon Foreman, Winter EP: This might be the single saddest song I've ever heard in my life. This could have easily become maudlin and melodramatic, but the arrangement is spare and Foreman's vocal is warm and genuine. The lyric is bleak, but Foreman's vocal exudes a compassion that is profoundly affecting.

Ah yes…the end of the year and critics, award shows, and news people galore are all chipping in to remind you of the best moments and memories that will forever be the personality of 2008. For me personally, this was an epic year in music for the mere fact that my taste buds were exposed to a plethora of new rock music thanks to the wicked invention of Rock Band (both 1 and 2). I developed a love for artists like Interpol, The Donnas, Paramore, Coheed and Cambria, Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Metallica, and Disturbed. Being a massive Prince fan, I've always liked rock music but never quite new where to begin exploring the genre. Thanks to the crew at Harmonix (the Rock Band developers) and MTV, I can now comfortably delve into the world of rock, many of its classics and legends. Even before Rock Band became a daily part of my routine, though, I jumped on the bandwagon of a one-time Metallica cover band from the UK named Bullet For My Valentine. Their amazing sophomore album, Scream Aim Fire, is a high-energy, amazing effort that never leaves any of my metal playlists. Now, onto what I do truly know about: hip hop and soul music. And trust me, this was a big year for both. So let's get it going (in no particular order): Black Milk - Tronic Plain and simple, Black Milk is the next big producer/emcee in the hip hop game. With blazing production credits for Slum Village emcee Elzhi's debut CD (also a 2008 must have in the underground hip hop scene) as well as GZA/Genius, Busta Rhymes, Kardinal Offishall, Pharoahe Monch, and more, Black has managed to carve out a J Dilla-esque style that is both amazing and energetic. His emcee skills are also on display on this album, showing that he can hold his own while featuring the talents of fellow Detroit emcee and Eminem affiliate Royce Da 5'9". Standout tracks "The Matrix", "Bounce", "Losing Out", and "Reppin For You" are sure to shock the casual hip hop listener into becoming an underground aficionado. Muhsinah - Daybreak 2.0 Needless to say, this has been a huge year for this singer/songwriter/deejay/producer/artist. First of all, her above mentioned debut CD is an amazing blend of hip hop and soul music that flexes her affinity for complex harmonies and atypical percussion. In addition to that, she adds in an oddly appealing production style that involves reversing a track in a melodious fashion. This debut was so amazing that it prompted production and guest spots on Foreign Exchange, Stacy Epps, Bilal Salaam, and Common. J*Davey -  The Beauty in Distortion/The Land of the Lost I was kind of slow to jump on this bandwagon and I'm ashamed that I didn't find this duo of Jack Davey (aka Briana Cartwright) and Brooke D' Leau earlier. A double CD (yeah, you heard me) of music from two earlier released EP's of the same name, J*Davey manages to place funk and soul/electronica back on the map in a sexy, seductive kind of way. The confident and outrageous persona of the group shines in a way that shows that they are both looking to shock and inspire their listeners much in the same way that Cee-Lo Green and Danger Mouse do with their Gnarls Barkley project. Look out for these two.page 1 | 2

Coming in from the cold, it's another long overdue, fresh brew from your favorite B-Boy blogger, El Q. As we rapidly approach the end of the year, the holidays loom as most of us look into our ever tightening wallets with fear and gloom. Gas prices fall and politician's seem small, as governor's are caught red handed, bail outs are debated, and the economy continues to take a dive, just in time for the winter! Good thing we got the internet and good old fashioned Hip-Hop to help us escape the storm and keep your hearts and minds warm! Instead of reflecting back on the events we have just been through, I thought I'd give you a fresh pile of worthwhile links, videos and assorted goodness. A nice mix of megabits ranging in topics from Twitter tips and tricks, music industry news, and random gigs worth of google able goods. With no further adieu, here is another heaping dump of cyber funk, from the king of the online thump, Q.Rock639. Links thrown into the RRG blender in no particular order. Word On The Street Music stars' digital strategies still in flux Interesting article on Reuters, which compares sales of Kid Rock, AC/DC, Lil Wayne and Leona Lewis. While some of these names made a killing online, others did just as good, if not better, than the digitally pushed products. Is it really a good idea to sell your music online, or is there really any hope for the artist who releases CDs? The numbers may surprise you. I was surprised to hear that the 8th best selling album of 2008 didn't sell more that 2 million. Journalist throws shoes at President Bush during press conference-video clip OK, I know this isn't funny, as it is an assault on the President. But daayum! Hold on a second, I'm laughing so hard right now that I have tears in my eyes! I can understand being so mad at Bush that you want to throw stuff at him…but your shoes? I can't wait to read that reporters blog site and hear what he has to say about himself. Shouts to Underground Railroad I had the chance to catch a live show and log in the chat room. I highly recommend that you tune in next soon. The show is hosted by Jay Smooth, of HipHopMusic.com fame, along with G-Man and others, live from WBAI in NY. The show is amazing, and the crew talked about everything from current state of Hip-Hop to Questlove's nod to Jim Jones as the emcee to watch in '09. Tune into the archive to hear the responses to that, and peep the video below. Attack of the Graffiti Snails! Wow, you gotta love this one. Someone is putting graffiti on the back of snails and setting them free in London! The article has pictures of the new invasion of street art. Now I have officially seen it all. You'll find a ton of quirky links like the bombed out snail bit, by visiting The 100 Weirdest News Stories article over at Asylum.

Mavis Staples, along with her father and sisters (Cleotha, Pervis, and Yvonne), was a member of the legendary Staple Singers from 1948-1994. They were a gospel-based rhythm and blues group who reached their popular and commercial apex with a series of releases for the legendary Stax label from 1968-1975. She has also enjoyed a respected solo career. Her father, “Pops” Staples was a friend of Martin Luther King, and she has been active in the civil rights movement for four decades. She performed at the Presidential Inaugurations of John Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton. It was only appropriate that her latest solo release was issued on Election Day, 2008. Live: Hope At The Hideout was recorded in June of this year at the Hideout Club in Chicago. This small capacity venue created an intimate setting for her rhythm and blues styling. Mavis may be 69 years old, but she has lost none of her vocal power and energy. She not only sings, but also in a real way preaches her message. There is a purity to this release. She is backed only by a basic three-piece group and back-up singers, which puts the focus squarely on her vocals. From the opening notes of the classic song, “For What It’s Worth,” you quickly realize you are in for a treat. Her phrasing, vocal quality, and range give the song new meaning and vibrancy. When she sings, “Paranoia strikes deep,” you can’t help but sit up and listen. Five of the twelve tracks were taken from her 2007 album, We’ll Never Turn Back, which was produced by Ry Cooder. This was an album that reached back to her civil rights roots and it is a treat to hear her perform some of these songs live. “Eyes On The Prize,” “Down In Mississippi,” and “We Shall Not Be Moved” are performed by an artist who has lived and experienced the songs. She brings an honesty to them which serves to heighten their emotional impact. Her three-song encore begins with an introduction of one of the first songs she learned. “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” is a gospel-based tour de force. She ends with her hit “I’ll Take You There.” Mavis Staples is now five decades into her career and any performance by her can be considered historic. Live: Hope At The Hideout is a fine addition to her legacy.

The album tracklisiting is: ‘Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)’ ‘Born to Run’ ‘Thunder Road’ ‘Darkness On The Edge Of Town’ ‘Badlands’ ‘Hungry Heart’ ‘Glory Days’ ‘Dancing In The Dark’ ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ ‘The Rising’ ‘Lonesome Day’ ‘Radio Nowhere’ Meanwhile, Springsteen is gearing up to release his new album ‘Working On A Dream’ in the US on January 27. He will also perform at the Super Bowl half-time show on February 1 in Tampa, Florida, as previously reported.

When Brian McKnight sings, the world slowly fades from view. Even bluebirds pause — and turn green with envy — because his melodies are hypnotic and have the power to envelope nearby listeners in the spirit of love. Since 1992, Brian McKnight's smooth, velvety vocals have blessed the ears of music lovers worldwide. And with the recent deaths of Luther Vandross and Gerald Levert, he stands as one of America's last modern-day "soul men." Even so, fans of every genre can readily identify his work without question or pause. Upon review of his tenth studio release, I'll Be Home For Christmas, Brian McKnight managed to find time in his busy schedule to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry, where together they reflected on Lionel Richie, "Win," and McKnight's 16 Grammy nominations. In 1998, you released Bethlehem, which served as your first Christmas album. Ten years later, you revisited the holiday concept with I'll Be Home For Christmas. Your second offering is much different from the first, in terms of style and delivery, so what influenced the stylistic turn on I'll Be Home For Christmas? Well, with Bethlehem, I tried to make a record that people could listen to all year round. Over the last ten years, I figured out people wanted their Christmas music to sound like Christmas music. That's what it's supposed to be. When we think about Christmas, we think about Charlie Brown Christmas and Burl Ives. That's what really gets you in the spirit; it's not the contemporary songs about Christmas that you remember 20 years down the road. So I wanted to make a very traditional-sounding record and then sprinkle in a little bit of Brian McKnight here and there. I did most of it live. It's all big band and the orchestra and I did it in a six days. I tried to make a record by considering that if I was making it in 1965, how would I do it? That's the approach I went for. You are right in saying that a lot of contemporary songs don't really fit when it comes to holidays, but one of my favorite Christmas songs of all-time is "Let It Snow." Since the song came out in 1993, I have played it every single Christmas. It's apparent that Christmas means a lot to you, having put out two Christmas albums of your own and producing Boyz II Men's classic Christmas Interpretations offering. What special attachment do you have to the holiday and what is your fondest Christmas memory? I think my attachment stems from the fact that it's the one time of the year when my entire family is actually together. It's the one time, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, that we all try our best to get together and be thankful for the year that's passed and really look forward to the next year because you just don't know what's going to happen. So I think that's where the fondness comes from. It's not necessarily about Santa Claus and all those sorts of things, even if those are elements of it. It's about reflecting and really being thankful. I think the essence of this CD, I'll Be Home For Christmas, is what it's really all about. That's why I chose that song to be the title because for me, being gone all the time and knowing that this is the only time that I know I'm going to be home, this is what it's really about.

It’s the news fans have been waiting for in the three long years since Playing The Angel. Synth-rock titans Depeche Mode have put the finishing touches on its next album, due for a 2009 release. “We’ve completed the record,” singer Dave Gahan revealed to The L.A. Times last week. “There might be a couple of bits and pieces we’ve got to clean up, but I feel really good about the fact that we’re finished. I think we’ve made a great record.” As the band told Rolling Stone recently, the as-yet-untitled record has employed plenty of vintage gear. “Martin’s [Gore] got this new fetish which is basically buying gear on eBay,” Gahan recounted. “He must have bought up half of the analog equipment around the world. We’ve got all these old drum machines from the 1970s, and even some of the stuff that we used in the ‘80s as well, like old Moogs and Arps.” As back in October, Depeche Mode has begun mapping out its �?Tour Of The Universe 2009’ to coincide with the album’s release. New dates are being added here and there – none of which, sadly, point to an Australian visit.

Gallows, Black Tide and Bad Religion are among the bands that will headline the 2009 Warped Tour. Also on the bill for the travelling US festival which combines veteran and up-and-coming rock acts are 3OH!3, Anti-Flag, Bayside and NOFX, among others. Additional bands and “special guests” are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The tour, which celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2009, is set to kick off on June 26 in Pomona, California. Past Warped Tour headliners have included Fall Out Boy and Paramore. The complete lineup to date is: 3OH!3 A Day to Remember A Skylit Drive Alexisonfire Anti-Flag Bad Religion Bayside Big D and the Kids Table Black Tide Bouncing Souls Breathe Carolina Brokencyde Cash Cash Chiodos Dance Gavin Dance Dear and the Headlights Dirty Heads Escape the Fate Every Avenue Flogging Molly Gallows Hit the Lights I Set My Friends on Fire Jeffree Star Less Than Jake Lights Meg & Dia Millionaires NOFX Outernational P.O.S. Saosin Scary Kids Scaring Kids Senses Fail Shad Silverstein Sing it Loud Streetlight Manifesto Tat The A.K.A.s The Architects The Ataris The Devil Wears Prada The Maine The White Tie Affair There For Tomorrow Therefore I Am Thrice TV/TV Underoath Valencia Westbound Train