Morrissey Mulling New Deal

Morrissey finds himself without a record deal these days, but things are looking up. In response to fan questions on www.true-to-you.net, Morrissey tells fans that while he has no current deal, he has received an offer from Warner Brothers.

Answering fan questions on the site True-to-you.net, when asked if he would be releasing another album soon, the former Smiths singer said: "I presently have the option to tour for the remainder of 2007, or start a new album."

He added: "I don't have a deal, but I have an offer from Warner Brothers." Yet he indicates he has some great touring opportunities that make it a tough decision.

Morrissey says, "As the same time, there are some great touring offers - New Zealand, South Africa, my beloved Scandinavia, Israel and Iran," he said. "I would love to sing in Tehran. So, for this week, it's a dilemma."

Source: NME.com

The Crimea Giving Away Their Upcoming Album, Secrets of the Witching Hour

The Crimea have announced plans to give away their new album online. Secrets of the Witching Hour will be available to download on the band's webpage, www.thecrimea.net, starting May 13. If you want the album, it's in their webstore for 10 pounds.

Secrets of the Witching Hour was self-financed by the band, after Warner Music dropped The Crimea last year. The bright side is that, by funding the album themselves, the Crimea will also keep a larger proportion of ticket receipts and merchandising revenue.

Don't ask me to convert pounds to dollars. Not my thing.

Rick Rubin Reportedly In Talks to Co-Chair Columbia Records

Rick Rubin, producer extraordinaire and head of American Recordings, is reportedly in talks to co-chair Columbia Records, according to The New York Times.

The only hitch is that Rubin and American are tied to a contract with Warner Music Group for three more years. He may have to negotiate his way out of the contract to move over to Capitol, which would be his first time in an exec chair.