Quite a hectic day/week, but a recap of last night's excellent Sleater-Kinney/Dead Meadow show will be coming soon, along with some thoughts on Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and maybe I'll finally get to reporting on last week's Iron and Wine show (a mixed bag). But for now, some quickies:

- The mid-year top 5 lists are rolling in, and Jason and I will have ours next week. (Hint - put your money on Art Brut!) For a change of pace, though, check out the top 5 disappointments of 2005 from Muzzle of Bees.

- Carlos D digs Yngwie Malmsteen. Who knew? Among his nine other picks in this Dusted list - Depeche Mode, System of a Down, and Gang Gang Dance. Dusted also has a new interview with Sufjan Stevens.

- The Long Blondes made their US debut last night at Cake Shop and, though I don't know them, I hear it was a fantastic show. They've played London's Trash and Our Disco parties and opened for Franz Ferdinand, and they play NYC again Saturday night at the Tribeca Grand. It's free with an RSVP to weare138nyc@yahoo.com. Free PBR from 10-11 too. Afterwards, head over to Capone's in Williamsberg for the Beat Club. High Priest (reportedly the first white hip-hop DJ) and Dan Selzer are spinning, and it's free with free pizza as well - more info here.

- What's up with the lack of love for Comets on Fire? I seem to have heard nothing about their shows in NYC this week - last night at the Bowery and tonight at the old Mighty Robot space - and maybe that's because Blue Cathedral came out last year, but it still sounds like it'd knock you over live. Tonight's show is a Todd P production - more details available here.

- I definitely like the new White Stripes album, but Keyspan Park is the worst venue possible for them. For Bjork and her massive stage show (complete with fireworks), it worked perfectly. For Jack and Meg, and for $45 plus fees? Even with the Shins also on this September 24 bill, Manic Mess said it right. For once, I wish a show was at Webster Hall, but tickets for this one go on sale tomorrow.

- Looks like Eleanor Friedberger is giving modeling a shot - She's Bitter reports that she has been named a "Miu Miu girl" for the company's latest ad campaign. Can't say I disapprove.

- Banana Nutrament has Metro Area's Birthday Dub of Hugh Masekela's "Mama" available for download. Tasty. Catch Metro Area tonight at Love.

- Soviet Panda tells us all how to synch up Daft Punk's Homework with Transformers: The Movie. In his own words - "Fucking unreal. Tell your friends."

- The new Rhino 90's boxset Whatever: The 90's Pop Culture Box is perfect discussion fodder, and Stylus gets things started with this Playing God feature. They actually put together their own 7 CD box set (!), and I'm glad to see someone else admit to liking Lou Bega's "Mambo No. 5." <ducks>