The Kinks To Maybe, Possibly, Reportedly, Conceivably, Feasibly, Reunite In 2008

Download: The Kinks - "20th Century Man"
Download: The Kinks - "Complicated Life"

2008 is barely underway, but it would seem that another essential British band who appropriated some aspects of the blues--one that doesn't rhyme with Schmed Schmepplin--will also be reforming and touring.

NME is reporting, via the British tabloid Daily Mail, that The Kinks--one of the major players of the 60s British Invasion, though they frequently, and unfairly, take a backseat to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones--will reunite for a tour which will most likely coincide with the release of The Kinks box set Retrospective.

Despite potential health concerns--such as guitarist Dave Davies' stroke and bassist Pete Quaife kidney troubles--Ray Davies said that:

I spoke to Quaife about a month ago and he dearly wants to make another record with me...I think Dave's getting better and Mick's still playing. It would be great to get back together just to see what musical ideas we had and what would happen."

Now the question is whether or not the brothers Davies can keep the fisticuffs to a minimum.

Read the rest of the NME story here and listen to a couple of Kinks songs at the top of the post.

Or check out this video of The Kinks performing "All Day And All Night":



(Jonathan Graef)

First Verve Demo In Ten Years Posted On NME

Download: The Verve - "The Thaw Session"

Regarding giving away free music on the internet, it would seem that more and more artists are following in Radiohead's footsteps everyday. Add Brit-pop propagators The Verve, who are legends in the UK, but, due to the sole success of "Bittersweet Symphony," are one-hit wonders in the US, to that mix. The band, who reunited last June after singer 's stalled solo career, has chosen to give away its first recording in ten years via NME . The idea is more interesting in theory than in execution - the "song" in question is really a 14-minute jam session called "The Thaw Session," which is an apparent reference to the final bonus track off of "Urban Hymns", the band's breakthrough album. However, as an insight into the band's creative process, it's pretty interesting, though very free-form and definitely jammy.

Click here to read more about the Verve and NME's free music giveaway. You can download the track at the top of this post.

(Jonathan Graef)