(The Learning Curve) I thought this week we would change things up a little bit. Here is the first International In the Shadows article. There are more to come, but people always seem to be remembering the first the fondest, even if you aren't multi-lingual.

Right out of the gates we have some of the heavier hitters from overseas, as Germany, New Zealand, Japan and Malaysia are all represented by some fantastic bands.

4LYN and the soon to be your favorite band Tokio Hotel hit US shores straight from Germany, Pop Shuvit want you to notice them coming straight out of Kuala Lumpur ...

I Am Ghost - the revered Long Beach, California-based dark rock sextet - will release its debut full-length album through Epitaph on October 10, 2006. Titled Lovers' Requiem, the follow up to the band's 2005 debut EP, We Are Always Searching, was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette (Iggy Pop, Incubus, Chevelle, Cold).

Fresh off stints on The Warped Tour's Smart Punk and Hot Topic stages, the group - which counts vocalist Steven Juliano, violinist/vocalist Kertih Telestai, multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Brian Telestai, guitarists Gabriel Iraheta and Timoteo Rosales and drummer Ryan S...

Once again the Take Action Tour and the National Hopeline Network are teaming up to bring you the Take Action Tour 2006.

Go to takeactiontour.com for the Online Presale 1/10-1/19. With the online purchase of a ticket fans will receive lower ticket prices, Volume 5 of the Take Action Compilation series for only $2.99, and an opportunity to add $1 as an additional donation to the charity.

- Hard Tickets will go on sale 1/20

Not every band will play every show. Dates for each band on the tour are as follows:

MATCHBOOK ROMANCE Headliner

SILVERSTEIN 3/1-3/29

THE EARLY...

A number of notable new releases this week including greatest hits collections from Destiny's Child and Angie Stone, a live one from Aerosmith, Christmas songs from Faith Evans and Il Divo, and new albums from Jin, Children of Bodom, They Might Be Giants, Joe Nichols, Bette Midler and many more. Check out this list of noteworthy albums in stores today...

A Day in Black and White - Notes

Aberdeen City - The Freezing Atlantic

Aerosmith - Rockin' the Joint - Live at the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas

Angie Stone - Angie Stone's Stone Hits: The Very Best of Angie Stone

Bette Midler -...