IN THE NEWS:
Singer/songwriter Paul Weller will make his only scheduled North American appearances of the year with a pair of New York City shows this spring.
London-based electronic trio the xx have won this year's Mercury Prize -- and a check for 20,000 pounds (about $30,700) -- for their self-titled debut album. The award -- which typically leads to increased sales in the U.K. and Ireland -- aims to commemorate the best album released in those countries during the previous 12 months.
Of the 10 albums Paul Weller has issued in his post-Jam and Style Council career, "Wake Up the Nation" is the one to take him back to his roots, connecting the styles of records he liked in his youth with his contemporary output.
For his ninth solo album, "22 Dreams," acclaimed English veteran singer-songwriter Paul Weller cranks out an unpredictable variety of musical styles, from classical, jazz and folk, to spoken word and abstract jams. Weller has been in the music industry more than 30 years, and his latest release proves to be one of his most ambitious yet. 
