Financial Times reports that Apple is currently in discussions with the big music companies to allow customers unlimited access to the entire iTunes music library in exchange for paying a premium for its iPod and iPhone devices (presumably for the life of the device). This “all you can eat listen” plan recalls Universal’s Total Music plan with Nokia, in which the cost of music is embedded into the music player itself. Negotiations have allegedly stalled due to disagreements in pricing - Apple wants to keep the charge as low as $20, while the labels presumably want something closer to the $80 Nokia deal. Other possibilities may include a subscription based service for iPhone users ($7-8/month, for example) with the capability to keep up to 40-50 tracks/year even after the subscription lapses.

Unexpected release dates are so hot right now! On the heels of Radiohead/Nine Inch Nails/The Raconteurs, Gnarls Barkley have moved up the release date of their much anticipated sophomore album, The Odd Couple, from April 8th to today (March 18th). Why the hurry up? Their publicist said, “They felt the timing was right to just go for it. With the shifting seasons, furtive romantic entanglements and fierce college basketball rivalries, the latter half of March can be confusing. People need to be soothed and inspired now.” Available digitally today, you can get your “soothing and inspiring” physical copy of the album in stores next Tuesday (March 25th).

The first single “I Will Possess Your Heart” from Death Cab For Cutie’s upcoming album Narrow Stairs hit the internets today. After hearing the song’s four-and-a-half-minute instrumental intro, you may drop your hacky sack and think D-Cab has reinvented themselves as a jam band. But once Ben Gibbard’s familiar vocals start singing songs about love and distance, the new song proves it’s actually an ambitious effort from DCFC (not unlike their work on Transatlanticism).

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Looks like yesterday’s rumors about the new Raconteurs album were true - score one for the all-knowing internets!!! The Raconteurs officially confirmed yesterday that their second album, entitled Consolers Of The Lonely, will be available everywhere and in every format (vinyl, CD and digital) on Tuesday, March 25th!!! Read their full statement about the new album including their reasons for the unconventional release after the jump. (Thanks for the heads up, The Visualist!)

MP3:
The Raconteurs - “Steady As She Goes (Acoustic)”

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Rolling Stone has picked up on some St. Patty’s Day gossip so exciting, Hypeful had to double-check to ensure it wasn’t actually April Fool’s Day! Rumors have begun to circulate on this Raconteurs’ fan site that the band may be releasing their new album (possibly titled Consolers of the Lonely) as soon as next Tuesday (March 25th). The chatter is reporting that Jack White (upset over the premature leak of Icky Thump) went into the Warner Bros. office last Tuesday, handed them the master tape for the new album and told them that he wanted the album out this Tuesday. One online record shop has gone so far as posting street dates for the album, possible album art, and a UPC (check out the above screen shot). This could all turnout to be false speculation fueled by high anticipation - but after Radiohead surprised everyone by stealthily dropping In Rainbows last October, it’s possible similar artists could forgo high profile release dates…Stay tuned!

MP3:
The Raconteurs - “Steady As She Goes (Acoustic)”