The left hand giveth and the right hand taketh away; 'twas ever thus, and so it is with the latest news on two of the worst things to happen to white-boy dance-rock in the '80s. The tuneless caterwauling, idiot-savant-minus-the-"savant" lyrics, and floppy muppet beats of Happy Mondays will return once more, when the indefatigable Shaun Ryder and his Ecstasy-addled compatriots try to bring the Madchester vibe back one more time on a new album Ryder estimates will see the light of day "in about two years time." No rush, guys.

Look on the bright side, though. On the U.S. side, the fratboy-funk kings voted Most Likely To Take The Stage With Sweatsocks On Their Genitals are taking a long (possibly permanent?) break. Anthony Keidis has announced that the Red Hot Chili Peppers will disband for at least a year to "just live and breathe and eat and learn new things." Once again, take your time with that, fellas, unless one of those "new things" is the idea not to desecrate any more '70s R&B classics by turning them into Friday night foosball anthems.