Alabama 3

In this archive piece from our March 2003 issue (Take 70), Uncut meets Lou Reed in his favourite Manhattan restaurant to discuss Edgar Allen Poe, Eminem, T’ai Chi, his illustrious career and his hatred of journalists: “I think in an interview what they essentially want to know is how big is your dick…” Words: Gavin Martin / Photo: Julian Schnabel

Mumford & Sons' Marcus Mumford and The Vaccines' vocalist Justin Young have recorded a session together, covering songs by both Bob Dylan and Neil Young.

Last week started on an absolute high when Neil Young & Crazy Horse’s Alchemy tour rocked up to London’s 02 Arena, turbulence in its wake, some of the crowds they had recently played to evidently unhappy with aspects of the band’s current set, notably the long jams around the songs they are playing from last year’s Psychedelic Pill, especially “Walk Like A Giant” and the extended feedback cacophony of its final 10 minutes, which was spectacularly brutal. Audiences in Birmingham and Newcastle had been from all accounts clearly agitated.

Although I’m currently watching films due for release in July – which will take us over halfway through 2013 – I’m conscious that there’s a lot of great stuff still to come during the rest of the year.

It’s a busy day in the Uncut office, but I’ve just time to post about the line-up that’s just been confirmed for this year’s Sundance London festival.

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers have announced American tour dates for the summer. The band will play the full spectrum of venues, from festivals as large as Bonaroo to intimate theaters in New York and Los Angeles. More than half of the tour will be split between those two cities, with five nights at New York’s Beacon Theatre and six in LA’s Fonda Theater. Besides Bonaroo, Petty will play three other festivals: The Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, Firefly in Dover, Delaware, and Summerfest in Milwaukee.

David Byrne & St Vincent are set to join Sigur Ros and Belle And Sebastian in headlining this summer's End Of The Road festival. Talking Heads man David Byrne and Annie Clark of St Vincent released their acclaimed debut collaborative album, 'Love This Giant', last year. A host more new bands have also been announced for the event, which takes place in Larmer Tree Gardens, North Dorset from August 30 to September 1.

Bruce Springsteen has spoken out about his long mooted autobiography, saying that there doesn't seem to be an 'urgency' to return to writing it.

Ladies and gentlemen... please enjoy our Top 75 new albums of 2012, with links to the original reviews where possible. Tomorrow, we'll post the Top 30 best reissues, box sets and compilations.

As many of you will have seen by now, the current issue of Uncut features our Top 75 albums of 2012 and, as usual, there’s been a fair amount of comment online about the list. I’m going to try not to be too defensive about this, but as the person who compiled the list, I thought it might be useful to post a few notes that’ll hopefully clarify one or two issues that have been raised.