Lloyd Cole returns to more electric sounds this summer with the release of ‘Standards,’ a new 11-track album that finds the singer-songwriter reuniting with part of the team — Matthew Sweet on bass and co-producer/drummer Fred Maher — behind Cole’s 1990 self-titled solo debut, the so-called “X” album.

Lloyd Cole is once again reaching out to his fanbase to help finance the recording of his next album, a project that finds the singer-songwriter reuniting with part of the team — Matthew Sweet on bass and co-producer/drummer Fred Maher — behind Cole’s 1990 self-titled solo debut, the so-called “X” album.

Over the past few days, Lloyd Cole has treated fans to a couple gems from the vault, posting a pair of post-Commotions U.K. radio sessions recorded in 1990, including a four-song BBC studio set in which he’s backed by a full band that included soon-to-be-star Matthew Sweet and ex-Voidoids guitarist Robert Quine.

This fall, American Laundromat Recordings will celebrate the soundtrack to the 1984 cult classic ‘Repo Man’ with a track-by-track tribute, featuring the likes of Black Francis, Mike Watt, Matthew Sweet and Amanda Palmer and more covering songs originally recorded by Iggy Pop, Black Flag, Circle Jerks and Suicidal Tendencies.

The Bangles — featuring original members Susanna Hoffs, Debbi Peterson and Vicki Peterson — returned to record racks this week with ‘Sweetheart of the Sun,’ and Universal Music has provided us with three copies to award to lucky Slicing Up Eyeballs readers.

New York City’s Baruch College played host Saturday night to a star-studded tribute to Big Star’s beloved ‘Third/Sister Lovers’ album, performed by R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe and Mike Mills, plus Matthew Sweet, members of Teenage Fanclub and Yo La Tengo, and surviving Big Star member Jody Stephens.