New releases: U2, Neko Case and more

U2 - "No Line on the Horizon" - The band's twelfth album, featuring lead single, "Get on Your Boots." The record is U2's first since their 2004 release, "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb." It is released in a variety of formats, including a standard CD, 2-disc vinyl LP, digipak and a box set that includes a DVD, poster and 64-page book.

Neko Case - "Middle Cyclone" - The one-time Chicago resident and Hideout bartender has gone on to worldwide success both as a solo artist and with The New Pornographers. "Middle Cyclone" is her newest effort, featuring 15 tracks and guest performances from M. Ward, members of the New Pornographers and more. She's set to play the Chicago Theatre on April 24 as part of her Spring tour promoting the record.

The Prodigy - "Invaders Must Die" - The fifth studio album from the British electronic trio, following-up 2004's "Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned."

Bell X1 - "Blue Lights on the Runway" - The fourth studio album from the Irish indie rockers. The band garnered international popularity from their last album, "Flock," with tracks such as "Rocky Took a Lover" and "Flame."

Fountains of Wayne - "No Better Place: Live in Chicago" (DVD) - The band's first ever DVD features a 2005 Chicago performance with hits such as "Stacy's Mom," "Sink to the Bottom" and "Radiation Vibe."

Chicago artists:

Mazes - Self-Titled LP - Mazes is a side project from Edward Anderson and Caroline Donovan from acclaimed Chicago folk-pop group The 1900s. The two are joined by Charles D’Autremont for a somewhat looser extension of the 1900s sound, with songs recorded "in various studios, bedrooms and basements over the past few years." Available from Parasol.

Members of Smashing Pumpkins, Cheap Trick, Fountains of Wayne, Hanson form supergroup

When I heard about this I took a glance at my calendar to make sure I hadn't slept through March and it wasn't April Fools' Day. It isn't, so I think it's for real.

Apparently, two Chicago music veterans - James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins and Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick - have joined forces with Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger and Taylor Hanson, the middle Hanson brother, to form a "supergroup" called Tinted Windows.

Confused? Me too.

According to the band's site, they already have an album in the can for release on April 21 and will play at SXSW on March 20.

If you're wondering what this unlikely concoction of musicians might sound like, the band's press release mentions "fusing the sounds of power-pop, rock and New Wave of the late 70's and early 80's...with the more modern rock and pop sounds of their own groups. 'We talked about everything from from The Buzzcocks to The Knack,' says Iha. 'And, of course, Cheap Trick.'"

Doesn't sound so bad, actually.

If you want to get an early taste, check this out: