From the Entertainment Weekly website:

…A group of today's most prominent independent music labels are joining forces to produce a series of compilations much like the staggeringly successful Now That's What I Call Music series. This as-yet-untitled series will feature songs from artists such as Bloc Party, the Shins, Bright Eyes, Air, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, M. Ward, Ted Leo, Cat Power, Silversun Pickups, and the indie-in-spirit-if-not-in-label Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Sonic Youth.

''These bands' records sell really well to a particular audience,'' says Adam Shore, the publicist for Vice Records, which aims to release the first volume this July (they're already the American home to high-profile acts Bloc Party, the Streets, and Charlotte Gainsbourg). ''But even though these artists are getting all this media exposure, they're not necessarily crossing over to a very casual record buyer.'' The plan of action? ''We're partnering with MTV2, and the focus is going to be Walmarts, big box stores, red states, and TV advertising — to really go beyond…. We don't really expect indie-rock stores to support this record. It's for the casual fan.''

Much like the Now discs (the 24th in the series was just released last week), the comp will likely jump from label to label with each release. Though there's no formal agreement yet, ''Matador has expressed interest in putting out volume two, and Sub Pop has shown interest in volume three.''

It's a conundrum since I am all for my favorite bands paying their rents (or buying nice houses), supporting their families, and living the good life. So, if my favorite band were to be on the compilation I certainly wouldn't hold it against them… I'd actually be proud and excited for them. Selling out is bad… selling more records is good. I mean, it's all about spreading the good word, man.

I guess the only thing that makes me nervous is that I'd find my favorite peeps in People Magazine posing for pictures with Kelly Osborne and Jessica Simpson. OH, or even worse… there will be an "Indie-Only" American Idol? Now that's what I call feeling slightly violated.

Until the release of the official Now That's What I Call… we can warm up to the idea by listening to this last.fm mix: Now That's What I Call Indie Covers!

Oh, and speaking of indie covers… did anyone else ever get obsessed with that early 90's NME compilation, Ruby Trax? As one of my first *favorite* compilation of covers, it will always have a place in my heart.

Wow… all these discussion items. It's almost overwhelming. And I didn't even mention the fact that the NEW BRIGHT EYES ALBUM is released tomorrow. More on that later.