The UK's Parlophone Records imprint has announced an upcoming benefit album to raise funds for War Child's efforts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Heroes is due November 24, and follows in the tradition of Help! in 1995, Hope in 2002, and the fastest-selling digital album in history, Help: A Day In the Life, in 2005.

Big thumbs up for Oasis, taking a unique approach to publicize their upcoming album by slapping moronic Guitar Hero enthusiasts with a dose of reality. Joining forces with their home country's Arts Council of England and the weekly music magazine NME, the cheeky lads are encouraging fans to lay off the colorful little buttons and pick up an actual guitar.

While Johnny Cash may be spinning in his grave over Snoop Dogg's free-form rap alongside his vocal samples in the QDT Muzic remix of "I Walk the Line," I think the Man in Black might just dig the rest of Compadre Records' new Johnny Cash Remixed. Given complete access to Cash's original master recordings, a bevy of hip-hop and up-and-coming knob-twisters give 13 of his hits a fresh workout to overall success. Approved by his son, John Carter Cash, the delightfully weird project is highlighted by The Sopranos theme superstars Alabama 3, slipping into "Leave That Junk Alone," Kennedy slapping around "Sugartime," and Australia's Midnight Juggernauts' dark journey through the "Port of Lonely." Not available on CD until next year, DJs and other wax-spinners get an early crack at the album in a two-LP vinyl edition available this coming Tuesday.

Next week, The Cure will add another teaser for its forthcoming album, following the series of monthly singles that debuted in May with an EP that benefits the International Red Cross. Containing four songs from the upcoming album, each track on Hypnagogic States is a tweaked remix rather than the original. Rounded out by a mega-mix by tour mates 65 Days of Static, other knob-twisters on the Geffen Records CD include Jared Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars, Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance, and Pete Wentz and Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy.

With election frenzy in the air, the Standard Recording Company of Indianapolis has compiled a three-CD set with a new song about each of the 43 presidents. Due next week, 43 Songs for 43 U.S. Presidencies was written and nourished by members of Above the Orange Trees and Nice Monster recording as Of Great & Mortal Men, aided by stars including Rosie Thomas, the Radar Bros., Califone, Alan Sparhawk of Low, Mark Kozelek of Red House Painters, Bill Callahan of Smog, Vince DiFiore of Cake, and James Jackson Toth of Wooden Wand. Song titles include "Lyndon B. Johnson: Ladybird Take Me Home," "William J. Clinton: The Mighty Lion Will Not Roar Again," and "Herbert Hoover: Woe Is a Spoon-Shaped Heart."