It’s nice to see large companies stepping up now and then to help protect our environment. Toshiba has announced a new program called TERRE (Toshiba’s Environmental Recovery and Recycling Effort) that aims to ensure that old laptops and LCD screens are safely and responsibly dismantled. With the rapid advance of personal computer technology, old systems are becoming obsolete more quickly. Often people simply toss out the components so that they can buy the latest and greatest. Unfortunately toxic chemicals are used to make PC components and these chemicals end up leaking out into the environment as the parts rot away in landfills. By participating in Toshiba’s recyling program, consumers will be sending their old monitors and notebooks to professionals that will safely dismantle and dispose of the equipment. They have a step-by-step guide for the process that culminates in telling UPS where to pick up your device. There is no cost for shipping and you even get a free 128 MB USB key to go along with all the zen-mother earth feel goodiness…

The new album from the Flaming Lips, “At War with the Mystics” is due for release this Tuesday, April 4 but you can hear the whole thing on their official website now. I have only listened to about 5 tracks so far and won’t even attempt a review after that little exposure, but you can check out the AP review over at Newsvine. Also, iTunes is offering a free advance track of “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song” when you pre-order the album from the iTMS. I am really excited about this new album. I have held The Flaming Lips in high regard ever since ABCTaylor, Djammes and I rigged up our house in Kalamazoo in order to play the 4-disc simultaneous-play concept album “Zaireeka.” I think that’s the only time I’ve ever experienced true quadrophonic sound and it was incredible.