THE CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND STARTS HERE: 

...with LOS LOBOS: "I Got Loaded" (with an added snippet of "Turn On Your Lovelight") from their fabulous first full-lengther, How Will the Wolf Survive? "Don't Worry Baby," "Evangeline," "Our Last Night," and "A Matter of Time" were on that album, too.

PEE WEE HERMAN: "Tequila." Obvs.

HERB ALPERT & THE TIJUANA BRASS: Rare video of "A Taste of Honey" from 1967.

CHEAP TRICK brings you the Mariachi mash-up of "Surrender."

JIMMY BUFFETT: Margaritaville. Obvs.

LIZ PHAIR: "Cinco de Mayo." Obvs.

LAURA MARLING talks to The Observer about lyrics, love, her new album and why she decided to move from London to L.A.

JOE BOYD spoke recently with Rolling Stone about Nick Drake's legacy, the similarities between Lucinda Williams and Drake and why he doesn't see there ever being a Nick Drake biopic.

SAVAGES get the big feature treatment at Pitchfork.

THE 100 MOST UNDERRATED INDIE SONGS, according to Mandatory. 

CUTOUT BIN:  From Cheap Trick to The Church, from Johnny Cash to Taco, from Fountains of Wayne to Frank Zappa, plus Guided By Voices, Humble Pie, James Brown, The Smiths and more -- this Friday's fortuitous finds are streaming from the Pate page at the ol' HM.

IRON MAN 3 is this weekend's sole wide release, scoring 83 percent on the ol' Tomatometer... and rightly so.  It's not quite the sheer Summer box office delight The Avengers delivered, but better than the Stark sequel that was overstuffed to pave the way for The Avengers.  Back on his own (sort of), this is Tony Tony Tony, which is to say Robert Downey Jr at his Downiest, thanks in part to director / co-writer Shane Black, who was previously responsible for the very Downey Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Black takes the chair from Jon Favreau, who nonethless reprises his role as Happy Hogan here). Downey and Black again demonstrate a remarkable ability to balance the glib with the humainty, this time accomplishing it within the Marvel Universe's unique blend of the epic and absurd. The Iron Man movies have previously borrowed some elements from the Extremis reboot in the comic book, starting with the nifty relocation of the origin from Vietnam to Afghanistan.  IM3 lifts much more from Extremis, albeit with some twists to pump of the comedy and the action.  Ten-year-old comic book geek me would be dismayed with the treatment of the Mandarin (Irona Man's primary nemesis) in this flick, but middle-aged me smiled and let it drop, particularly because the script allows the great Ben Kingsley to really play. Rebecca Hall and Guy Pierce also have fun with their roles as Maya Hansen and Aldrich Killian (both of whom figured in the Extremis books).  Post-Avengers, should you stay to the end of the credits? Yes.  Should you linger even a little longer than that? Yes again.

REESE WITHERSPOON pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct. Frankly, the crazytown arrest video speaks for itself.

LINDSAY LOHAN violated her rehab deal and checked into a different facility that is reportedly unlicensed.

CHRIS KELLY: The Krs Kross rapper's untimely death may involve cocaine and heroin.

KIERA KNIGHTLEY will reportedly wed Klaxons keyboardist James Righton in France this weekend.

GWYNETH PALTROW cops to the occasional marital problems.

FHM's 100 SEXIEST WOMEN OF 2013: Mila Kunis tops the list.

SYRIA: Government forces launched intense assaults against rebel forces in Homs and Deir al Zour.

IRAN: The Basij force of Iran's Revolutionary Guard has said in a statement posted by Iranian news outlets that several of its websites have come under cyberattack.

IRAQ: The UN said that more people were killed in April than in any month since 2008.

MAX THE DOG goes viral by driving thru Brooklyn.

GEMUNU THE ELEPHANT ambushes wildlife travelers for food.

A MYSTERY MARSUPIAL sparked a police hunt in Lancashire.

JACK THE CATTLE DOG has mad balancing skills.

PATE REUNION:  Jon, Mike & Jon (and we hope Ron) will be retaking a stage somewhere near Iowa State University on July 5th, 2013, just one short decade after their last reunion gig.  Clear your calendar for something transcendent, a train wreck, or both!  If you're on the Facebook, check in with the event page.

PATE's MIKE KELLY & RON HAHM added bass, dums, and backing vocals to JON PRATT's rockabilly reboot of "She's So Special."  Mike sent it to me, but props to Ron for putting it on the Tube.

FREE ENERGY stopped by The Current for a chat and mini-set.

JOSH RITTER stopped by The Current for a chat and mini-set. 

LEAGUES stopped by The Current for a chat and mini-set.

ALL SONGS CONSIDERED: Tracks from Iggy and the Stooges, The National, Black Angels and more highlight the latest edition of the series.

HOT CHOCOLATE: "You Sexy Thing." Believe in miracles?

GUIDED BY VOICES: Tobin Sprout talks to PopMatters about picking up where the "classic" lineup left off in 1997.

DEERHUNTER: Are Bradford Cox's antics overshadowing his art?

MY MORNING JACKET, ranked by Stereogum.

THE 10 BEST BRIGHT EYES SONGS, according to Stereogum.

CHRIS KELLY, half of the 1990s kid rap duo Kris Kross who made one of the decade's most memorable songs with the frenetic "Jump," has died, according to authorities. He was 34. What say you, Justin Timberlake?

LINDSAY LOHAN has less than 24 hours to hightail it to Seafield Center in New York ... but even as she packs her bags she's telling people she may bail on the rehab facility because they won't let her smoke.

JENNIFER ANISTON & JUTSIN THEROUXdelayed their wedding to avoid competing with the Bradgelina nuptuals.

AMANDA BYNES says she's not crazy. Which settles it.

MARIAH CAREY & NICK CANNON renewed their vows on their 5th wedding anniversary at a lavish private ceremony at Disneyland.

NAOMI CAMPBELL's five-year relationship with her Russian billionaire boyfriend, Vladimir Doronin, is on the rocks.

KELSEY GRAMMER is cast as the villain in the next Transformers flick.

THE UNITED STATES: Federal prosecutors charged three acquaintances of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev with helping to cover up the crime. Kazakhstan nationals Dias Kadyrbayev and Azamat Tazhayakov are accused of deliberately destroying evidence; and Robel Philippos, a US citizen, is accused of lying to investigators.

MALI: The Pentagon said the US has sent about 10 military personnel to Mali to provide "liaison support" to French and African troops in the battle against Islamists in the north, and that 12 other US military personnel are assigned to the US embassy in Bamako.

ISRAEL: Former Prime Minister Olmert warned that Hezbollah may already possess chemical weapons.

LIBYA: Some 170 detainees escaped from Sebha prison yesterday; some have returned voluntarily to their cells, but a large number have disappeared.

EGYPT: A blogger and activist known for criticizing President Morsi was detained by authorities.

A CAT ASKS: "Got Milk?"

THE HORNY, FREEZING EXPLODING WOOD FROG quacks like a duck.

THE FLANNEL MOTH that looks like Donald Trump.

A WILD TIGER visits the zoo, looking for a date.

TAKEN BY TREES: "Only You."

FITZ & THE TANTRUMS advance stream More Than Just A Dream.

FLEETWOOD MAC streams Extended Play. Check the sidebar.

BEN HARPER & CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE stopped by Morning Becomes Eclectic for a session.

THE CHAPIN SISTERS play songs from their covers LP, A Date With the Everly Brothers, on Mountain Stage.

THE BLACK KEYS go "Cruising" on an Adult Swim comp.

BLONDIE: Debbie Harry and Chris Stein talk to The Guardian about the making of "Heart of Glass."

THE FLAMING LIPS: Wayne Coyne talks to Stereogum about The Terror, nothing, and absolutely everything.

MICK RONSON: Sideman and Starman.

OLOF ARNALDS talks to The Rumpus about her first English-language record.(Thx, LHB.)

10 OF THE MOST UNDERRATED BANDS of the 21st Century.

LINDSAY LOHAN may blog about her lessons learned after rehab.

KIM KARDASHIAN & KANYE WEST don't wnat your baby gifts; just donate to Chicago Children's Hospital.

AMANDA BYNES has access to all of her money, despite her reportedly erratic behavior.

JENNIFER LAWRENCE & NICK HOULT: Together again? 

CATHERINE ZETA-JONES is returning to treatment for her bipolar II disorder.

PINK tells Glamour she's a "reformed slut."

JASON COLLINS' ex-fiance had no idea he was gay.

WORLD WAR Z, from Stunning Budget Overages and a Reshot Ending to Lots of On-Set Drama.

THE UNITED STATES:  One of the brothers suspected of carrying out the Boston bombings had made links with two figures in the Islamist anti-Kremlin insurgency in the Northern Caucasus, both of whom were killed by Russian security forces, a security source said Monday.

SYRIA: President Obama is preparing to send lethal weaponry to the Syrian opposition and has taken steps to assert more aggressive US leadership among allies and partners seeking the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, according to senior administration officials. The British government is exercising more caution in its attempts to arm the rebels fighting the Bashar Assad regime in Syria, following intelligence reports and warnings by other governments that the major part of the rebel movement has been taken over by Jihadist groups with links to Al-Qaeda.

IRAQ: Insurgents killed six Iraqis in bombings in Baghdad and Nahmudiyah. Tribes in Anbar handed over 16 al Qaeda operatives to the government.

A LION CUB, A DOG, and and a ball of yarn.

AN INVASIVE PREDATOR FISH that can live out of water for days is to be hunted in Central Park.

MOTORWAY drivers were left astonished after spotting two dairy cows crammed onto the back seat of a small family car.

HAMSTER BOWLING: Can the Olympics be far behind?

IRON & WINE played "Grace for Saints and Ramblers" for Fallon.  That's quite an ensemble, Sam.

NEW RELEASES from Cayucas, Hawk & Dove, Midnight Oil and more are streaming this week via Spinner, or until AOL shuts down Spinner entirely.

THE FLAMING LIPS perform Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, from start to finish.

KURT VILE played live on Sound Opinions.

VILLAGERS: Conor O'Brien plays a solo acoustic set featuring songs from Villagers' second album "{Awayland}" live on KEXP from the Cutting Room studios in NYC.

BEADY EYE takes a "Second Bite Of The Apple" before releasing BE.

THE WALKER BROS: I cauht Seeking A Friend For the End of the World again on cable recently, reminding me to link  "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)" and "Stay With Me, Baby" for Twofer Tuesday.

PRIMAL SCREAM: Bobbie Gillespie talks to Drowned In Sound about the new record, Primal Scream's legacy, former band members, the lack of dissent within the arts and how fatherhood has changed him.

NEIL YOUNG: Inside the making of 1969's classic 'Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere'

DAVID BOWIE summarizes The Next Day in 42 words.

IGGY POP's High School Yearbook Photo.

IRON MAN 3 opens to a massive 198.4 million overseas, beating out The Avengers' 185.1 million.

JOHNNY DEPP & AMBER HEARD were spotted getting cozy again at a Rolling Stones concert.

REESE WITHERSPOON claimed her baby son stole her brain shortly before her disorderly conduct arrest.

MICHAEL JORDAN got hitched to Cuban-American model Yvette Prieto.

MICHAEL JACKSON's wrongful death trial opened.

TEEN MOM star Farrah Abraham who finally struck a high six-figure deal for her sex tape. Klassy.

JASON COLLINS, an NBA center, came out as the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport.

THE UNITED STATES: Two Congressmen said there are "persons of interest" in the Boston Marathon bombing case who are in the United States.

ISRAEL: Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered his ministers not to comment on the ongoing situation in Syria. Netanyahu also said that Iran has not yet crossed the nuclear red line he set at the UN.

SYRIA: A bomb attack in Damascus on the convoy of the Prime Minister killed six people but he escaped the assassination attempt.

IRAQ ordered 10 predominantly Sunni Muslim satellite television channels to cease broadcasting Sunday, accusing them of encouraging the sectarian unrest that left more than 200 people dead in a week of violence.

BABOONS invade and ransack homes in South Africa.

GIANT RATS terrorize Rotorua, New Zealand.

IS THAT A KING SNAKE slithering between your legs on the highway?

DRUG-SNIFFING DOGS are available for hire to suspicious parents.

OVER 17 MILLION SERVED! Thanks for stopping by, y'all!

FEIST holographically plays three cities at once.

SHE & HIM advance stream Vol. 3.

MIKAL CRONIN advance streams MCII.

LOW performs live in the WNYC Soundcheck studio, and Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker reflect on two decades of playing music together.

THE BLACK ANGELS stopped by The Current for a chat and mini-set. 

THE MOODY BLUES hit the charts with "Go Now" before going psychedelic.

GEORGE JONES, who has died aged 81, was country music's most stylish and emotional singer. The Oxford American compiles a playlist.The AARP lists 10 facts about the country legend.

STEVEN VAN ZANDT talks to Spinner about reuniting the Rascals, mourning Clarence Clemons, and praising Springsteen.

CHARLES BRADLEY talks to Spinner about hardships and wrapping his head around his belated career.

MATMOS talks to PopMatters about the unexpected directions that the concept of ESP took them.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: Pain and Gain ruled the modest box office roost with 20 million before the blockbuster season starts Friday. Given a 26 million budget, this ain't bad for a minor Michael Bay film, despite a lousy C+ CinemaScore suggesting lousy word of mouth.  Oblivion plummets 53 percent to place with 17.4 million, and a 64 million total against a 120 million budget, but the additional 134 million in foreign receipts shows why you open this two weekends before Iron Man 3 turns up in the US. The Jackie Robinson biopic 42 shows with a leggy 10.7 million and 69 million total against a 40 million budget.  The Big Wedding debuts in the fourth slot with 7.5 million against a 35 million budget. Ouch.  The Croods round out the Top 5 with another 6.6 million.

ASHTON KUTCHER got into a violent melee with security at Stagecoach.

VINCE VAUGHN and his wife Kyla will welcome their second child together this summer.

PEACHES GELDOF and husband Thomas Cohen are now proud parents to two little boys.

CHRIS BROWN's father prefers his hothead son stay away from Rhianna.

EMMA STONE is in talks to star in a revival of “Cabaret,” according to an individual with knowledge of her plans.

JEFFREY WRIGHT was arrested in NYC early Saturday morning for DWI.

MELISSA GILBERT & TIMOTHY BUSFIELD got hitched.

THE UNITED STATES: Russian authorities this week turned over information about Boston Marathon bomber Tamarlan Tsarnaev and his mother Zubeidat Tsarnaeva, including the fact that mother and son discussed jihad in a telephone conversation in 2011, and that Zubeidat also spoke about jihad with a man in Russia who is under investigation by the FBI. Mother and son were added to the CIA's terrorism database in late 2011.

RUSSIA: Security forces looking for Islamist militants rounded up 140 Muslims, including 30 foreigners, from a Moscow prayer room; it was not clear whether they would be charged.

LIBYA: A bomb damaged a police station in Benghazi.

SYRIA:  Reports by Washington that the Syrian regime may have used chemical weapons have raised questions whether the US will follow through on its threat to intervene on the ground.

EGYPT: The Egypt Independent was banned from going to the presses with its scathing criticisms of the Muslim Brotherhood-dominated government.

IRAQ: Sunni tribes in Anbar formed the "Army of Pride and Dignity" and are preparing to defend the province from government forces.

A RED PANDA does gymnastics.

GENETICALLY-MODIFIED SHEEP glow in the dark.

MYSTERY HORSE... are you ready for your mystery horse...

AN ALLIGATOR strutted across the fairway and into a bunker during the Zurich Classic golf tourney in Louisiana.