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SPIN.com’s Best of the Week, November 3-9

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No doubt about it, this week belonged to newly-minted President-Elect Barack Obama. But that doesn’t mean the music world lay dormant: Fall Out Boy, Smashing Pumpkins, and the Decemberists all kicked off their respective U.S. tours, while the Killers treated fans to new tracks in London. Meanwhile, several artists — including Amy Winehouse and Yeah Yeah Yeahs — unveiled plans for records in 2009.

Below, check out these stories plus the week’s best MP3s, reviews, and more.

Highlights

  • Fall Out Boy Off-Key at Tour Opener
    The rusty pop-punk quartet struggle with their warm-up set at an intimate Boston club. READ>>
  • The Killers Debut New Songs in London
    The Las Vegas foursome mix their hits with five tunes off their upcoming album, Day & Age. Read our review. READ>>
  • Smashing Pumpkins Kick Off 20th Anniversary Tour
    The reunited alt-rock legends skip fan faves and dedicate a song to “MILF” Sarah Palin at Cleveland tour opener. READ>>
  • The Decemberists Debut New Tunes at Tour Opener
    With supporting act Loch Lomond in tow, Colin Meloy and Co. kick off their U.S. jaunt in New York City. READ>>
  • Amy Winehouse Records New Songs
    The troubled nightingale’s follow-up to Back to Black is coming along — and apparently the demos are great! Click here for details. READ>>
  • Yeah Yeah Yeahs: “New Album Very Different”
    See what Karen O and crew have to say about their next release — and find out when to expect it. READ>>
  • Next Arctic Monkeys Album Coming Soon!
    The Brit-pop wunderkinds are almost finished with their third record. Click here for details! READ>>
  • New Bruce Springsteen Album!
    The rock’n’roll legend is reportedly working on the follow-up to Magic. Click here for details! >>READ

Editor’s Blog

  • Lost in the ‘Twilight’ Zone
    Edward may be a marble god of a vampire, but, geesh, can’t somebody write him a decent pickup line? By SPIN’s Phoebe Reilly. READ>>
  • The Sorry State of Reunions
    GN’R, Smashing Pumpkins, the Jackson Five, and Led Zeppelin are four major offenders, says SPIN’s Abigail Everdell. READ>>
  • SPIN.com’s Presidential Playlists!
    Get ready America! SPIN’s Ellen Carpenter picks the best songs for an Obama — or McCain — inauguration. READ>>

Audio/Video

  • Paramore Premiere ‘Twilight’ SongVideo!
    Click here to watch “Decode,” the pop-punk band’s contribution to the Twilight soundtrack. READ>>
  • Watch Smashing Pumpkins Play Unreleased Song
    In the studio: Billy Corgan and band perform the eight-minute, acoustic “99 Floors.” READ>>
  • Stream Leona Naess’ Stirring Duet with Ryan Adams
    Hear the once-engaged couple revisit long lost chemistry on “Leave Your Boyfriends.” READ>>
  • New Video: Kings of Leon, “Use Somebody”
    The Southern kin show the melancholy side of touring in this clip for the latest single from Only By the Night. READ>>

Reviews

  • Little Joy, Little Joy (Rough Trade) READ>>
  • Q-Tip, The Renaissance (Universal Motown) READ>>
  • Dragonette, Galore (I Surender) READ>>
  • Wild Beasts, Limbo, Panto (Domino) READ>>/a>

PLUS: The best of last week.