THE RACONTEURS drop the video for "Salute Your Solution" from the surprise sophomore LP, Consolers of the Lonely. (Profanity.)

BRITISH SEA POWER stopped by The Current for a chat and mini-set you can stream via MPR.

COLIN MELOY: The Decemberists' frontman talks to PopMatters about cover songs and his two new releases -- Colin Meloy Sings Sam Cooke and Colin Meloy Sings Live!

THE HEAVY is a late addition to the albums streaming in full from Spinner this week.  I Like what I have heard from them so far.

BILLY BRAGG has started a conversation about whether social-networking sites ought to consider paying some kind of royalties to the musicians who provide the music that helps drive traffic and user acquisition.  Coolfer links Bragg's NYT op-ed and reax.

RICK ASTLEY:  The normally reclusive 90s popster talks to the Manchester Evening News about why he is finally doing a UK nolstalgia tour.  He also talks to the L.A. Times (w/embedded audio clips) about the second coming of  "Never Gonna Give You Up" as Internet prank, basketball game stunt, and unofficial theme of anti-Scientology protesters.  Astley's favorite is the tribute on Family Guy, complete with the Back to the Future II allusion.

DEMI MOORE tells Letterman her extremely alternative beauty therapy -- First, shave your body. Then immerse yourself in turpentine. And when the stinging stops, allow leeches to feast on your blood.

THE FRENCH HOTEL says she loves South Africa... and West Africa!  "They are both great countries."

RENEE ZELLEWEGER may want to cut down on the "facial sandblasting" she favors before a movie premiere, as she's now quite shiny.

JAMIE LYNN SPEARS -- Britney's 16-year-old knocked up sister -- is sporting some sparkling new jewelry - an engagement ring from fiancé Casey Aldridge.

BRITNEY SPEARS, btw, gave the CBS sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" its highest viewership of the season on Monday, and assures the modest performer will be renewed for a fourth season in the fall.  Critics were relatively impressed with the pop wreck's cameo.

OUR FRIENDS, THE SAUDIS have decided against building a Catholic church in the kingdom.

IRAQ:  The Bush administration hailed an Iraqi offensive against Shiite militiamen in the southern city of Basra as a "bold decision'' that shows the country's security forces are capable of combating terrorists: "This is one of the first times that they've had such an entrenched battle and we'll be there to support them if they need it.''  The burgeoning crisis - part of an intense power struggle among Shiite political factions - has major implications for the United States.  Gen. Petraeus has little use for recent claims in the British press that the "surge" is on the verge of collapse in parts of Iraq, writing that the story, as reported in the Guardian were "based on dated info."  In addition, he said that reports that the Iraqi government is refusing to employ Sunnis are incorrect."  The US military says it is taking steps to alleviate conditions at the Fallujah city jail after a recent report from blogger Michael J. Totten found a filthy, overcrowded facility.  Iraq has emerged as a more stable country than Afghanistan, thanks to lower violence, the presence of a large US-led international force and high oil prices, according to a report published on Tuesday by the British-based Jane's Information Group.

KNUT the polar bear has turned from a cuddly cub into a publicity-addicted psycho, one of his keepers claimed yesterday.  And how is this different from Britney Spears?

LOLCATS: I can haz endorsement dealz?

STOWAWAY RATTLESNAKE attacks a high school rowing coach at Yorktown High School in Arlington, VA.  I'm sure the kids have no idea how that got there...

AMY takes the crown of World's Largest Rabbit by a wide margin.  Pics at the link.