Now that summer is officially over, it's time for the kids to head back to school. The 2008-2009 school year has already seen an increase of popularity for The Pink Logs. On the top of everyone's must-have list was The Pink Log lunchbox, the Trapper Keeper and other accessories available, as shown below.

Emiliana Torrini - Me And Armini (Rough Trade)

If you are looking for quality at your local music shop, make sure and check out the latest from Icelandic singer, Emiliana Torrini. September 9^th marks the release of her third album, Me and Armini, featuring production and collaborations with Dan Carey. Torrini and Carey first worked together when they produced "Slow" for Kylie Minogue and Carey handled the production for "Gollum's Song," which Torrini recorded for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers movie. When asked about working with Carey, Torrini replied "Dan will play something and I will see a panoramic view of what I want to sing about. We're always laughing, coming up with mad ideas, I'll say 'lets do a Chinese acid version of "Hey Joe" and he instantly will play something that sounds exactly like that. 'Thank God we are working together' he said 'otherwise no one would understand you!' People search for their musical partner all their life and I've found mine." For details on Emiliana Torrini, log on to http://www.emilianatorrini.com.

Though the five members of Empyr were culled from four of France's premier rock acts, kindly refrain from referring to them as a "supergroup"; they prefer to be thought of as simply a new band with a new sound, rather than some kind of rock & roll version of Frankenstein's monster...though it's hard to ignore the fact that, prior to Empyr, the group members had sold over 3.5 million units in their respective bands. The members got together about two years ago and immediately made the decision to sing in English in order to better claim their rightful spot upon the world's stage. To further that goal they recorded their debut album, The Peaceful Riot, in Los Angeles with former Failure member Ken Andrews, who's also worked with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Pete Yorn and A Perfect Circle. In an inspired bit of coincidence, the group stayed in the same apartments where Nirvana lived when they recorded the classic Nevermind--a good omen, since that's one of their favorite albums. The resulting work helps them stake a righteous claim to the ground that's been covered by influences ranging from Radiohead and Smashing Pumpkins to Biffy Clyro and Deftones.

KINGS DO THE DOUBLE: Nashville natives Kings of Leon appear to be the back-to-school bards of choice for the Mediaguide Alternative Specialty Panel, which not only advances the salaciously titled "Sex on Fire" to the top spot of the Song chart, but also boosts forthcoming full-length Only by the Night (RCA) to the same position on the Album end. The album comes out September 23 and the Followill clan will celebrate that night at Webster Hall in NYC...but before that, they're offering a cool deal to both their fans and indie retail: if you pre-order the album from Newbury Comics, you'll also receive a limited-edition 7" single of "Sex on Fire" with a bonus track, "Beneath the Surface." Go to www.newburycomics.com for the details. Meanwhile, last week's possessors of the Song pole position, TV on the Radio, slip all the way to No.2 with "Dancing Choose," but they can take solace in the splendid showing of full-length Dear Science (Touch & Go/Interscope), which advanced 3-2 on the Album index. Possessing a pair of fours is Emiliana Torrini (see further info above), whose album Me and Armini (Rough Trade) leaps 12-4 on that index, while the title track moves up 6-4 on the Song side. Top debut honors on the Song chart this week go to Amanda Palmer and her jaunty, piano-driven "Leeds United," which bows at No.8, helping the Who Killed Amanda Palmer? Sampler (Roadrunner) to a No.15 showing on the Album chart. Bouncing back nicely on the Album index this week is trip-hop icon Tricky, whose Knowle West Boy (Domino) rebounds from outside the Top 20 all the way up to No.3, with the majority of airplay still being received by "Council Estate," which clocks in at No.13 on the Song side.

NO SLEEP TIL' BROOKLYN: Completing a feat that would've daunted even the most hardcore of methamphetamine abusers, Big FM Chennai, India RJ Dheena recently set a new Guinness World Record by staying live on-air for over 168 consecutive hours, breaking the record of 135 hours set by Italian DJ Stefano Venneri in 2007. However, earlier allusions aside, no chemical enhancements helped RJ Dheena; rather, he took several fitness, yoga and meditation classes in order to be best prepared both spiritually and physically, for his successful attempt at the record. Big FM, meanwhile, met Guinness conditions by having a team of medical personnel and eye-witnesses on-hand at all times to monitor both Dheena's health and performance.

"I am very excited to have broken the record, but this experience made me actually realize the love that the people of Chennai have for me," commented an exuberant Dheena after reaching his goal. "People across ages came over to meet me, called me and helped me through this feat. I am glad I could realize the dream of my Radio Station. This experience has taught me a lot: patience, focus, how to concentrate with almost no sleep (laughs)...and of course how much people love me. I thank everyone for their support."

"My heartiest congratulations to RJ BIG Dheena to have broken the Guinness book of world records," said Big FM cluster director Tamil Nadu PB Ramaswamy. "It is certainly a proud moment for all the Tamilians across the globe. His hard work and dedication has resulted in him getting his name registered in Guinness."