Link Bits: Stooges, Elliott Smith, R.E.M., & More

Here are a few of today’s bookmarked links worth noting…

  • After being rejected seven times, the Stooges will finally be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, alongside Genesis and ABBA. “Am I still cool? Or is that over now?” Pop asked himself after hearing the news.
  • Elliott Smith’s first solo LP, Roman Candle, and posthumous album From a Basement on the Hill will be reissued by Kill Rock Stars this spring (the former has been remastered by Larry Crane as well). For more info and a free MP3 of unreleased gem “Cecilia/Amanda” go thataway.
  • Ex-R.E.M. drummer Bill Berry came out of retirement to record protest song “Crazy Like a Fox” on R.E.M.’s annual holiday single. The bad news: Michael Stipe and Peter Buck aren’t on the track. Slicing Up Eyeballs has the scoop.
  • Brendan Benson sounded off a bit on how he felt “underappreciated” by the press for his role in the Raconteurs. “Jack [White] was the most publicized thing about The Raconteurs,” he said. “And I think, unfortunately, he sort of eclipsed the other guys in the band.”