MySpace, 'Hustlin'

MySpace to block illegal use of copyright music | CNET News.com

So MySpace is finally 'putting it's foot down,' implementing new technology that will allow them to stop users from posting unauthorized copyright music. Supposedly, they've been getting flack from some of the 'giganto' record companies (and who hasn't) and have decided to cave to the pressure.

This may be more strategic than it seems, though, considering MySpace aims to eventually offer copyright-protected songs from major record companies, and will soon begin selling songs from nearly 3 million unsigned bands. Really quite an ambitious move, if you ask me:

1. Oust the 'music pirates' and appease the major record labels, cleaning-up your image in the process

2. Make deals with said labels to distribute their music on MySpace now that 'everybody's friends again'

3. Begin capitalizing on all the independantly produced music being distributed by the many bands who use MySpace

4. Bask in the glow of an ever-expanding empire

Smart stuff, MySpace. I just hope that those who've been posting their own original music for free will be allowed to continue if they so desire.......

The Record Industry Loves You (and Other Such Bulls#*t)

The Problem With Music

For all those hopeful rock gods and goddesses out there, dreaming of striking it rich in the music industry as soon as the right chance comes along for your exemplary vision to be recognized and appreciated by the 'powers that be' at some monolith gargantua of a record-label, this article, from Maximum Rock n' Roll #133, written by Steve Albini may just scare the buh-jesus out of you (or at least make you want to trash a hotel room like your heroes do). The article, a staunchly pessimistic trip down a rabbit-hole filled with broken promises and cremated dreams, details the problems encountered by newly 'signed' artists when dealing with a major label.

Pay close attention to the run-down of how much the artists actually walk away with after all is said and done. And record companies have freakin' nerve to push that morality-button and say that 'every time you illegally download music online, you're stealing money from the artists.' How can you steal money from them that's already been stolen?

In short, record companies are evil (unless one wants to sign me).

Tom Waits: Father to 56 Orphans

Tom Waits has put out a 3 CD, 56 song collection of new and archived material called "Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards" on Anti, and I for one think the world could do worse than a little extra Tom Waits.........

There's a great write-up about "Orphans" by Waits on the page as well.

ANTI- Album - Orphans

Laurie Anderson

I just spent the better part of one of my classes huddled around a computer with the teacher and a few other students digging for and watching clips of Laurie Anderson performances online. I believe this was kicked-off by our professor musing over Anderson being the first and only artist in residence employed by NASA.

An unlikely duo, or a match made in heaven? (really, no pun intended)

For Those About to Mix.......

Booyah!

It's never too late to start treatin' yourself right with some free music. I just came across Basic.ch, a site that boasts internet radio as well as live & archived dj mixes. The archives actually look quite huge too...... Wicked.

Religion IS Marquee Moon

I was driving just now, from West Seattle, back up to Ballard.

It's been cold and foggy and at night the West Seattle/99 stretch of highway is all container ports, those big cranes, the piers into the harbor, the black black, forever black of the bay - then there was the low clouds covering up half the tall buildings down town. Very awesome visually.

To top it off, i had put in Marquee Moon, and cued up the track Marquee Moon and set about to driving in that very intense, careful way that I do. And I swear, as the sodium lights were streaking by, and the flat black of the harbor was on my left. I had a religious experience. Not the kind where you've got the music on, and the lights are wonderfull and then God starts talking to you. Nope. Mine is where the visuals are happnin' and the spectacular, spare, and complicated, emotional music that was on 9 or 10 on the volume dial IS religion. God doesn't speak to or through Tom Verlaine during that song. God takes notes. God says "Oh."

Curtis Mayfield tells us if there's a hell below, we all gonna go. Well, i guess that makes the blapheming alright then. Keep my seat warm, Curtis.

-Dr. Confusion

First Impressions

This. new. record. is. awesome.

some how cozier than the prev. A little more "studio" sounding than bright ideas. Put it SAT -ways and it's

Meet the beatles : Bright ideas :: Revolver : Be Still Please

At the same time it feels, sonically more expansive. And the songs. man. the songs sound, well - they sound all grown up. The progressions are intricate and the melodies are sure footed and poignant. and it all sounds very thoughtful. My God. this is an excellent album so far. Buy it.

How to treat a brother right,

Y'all remember when I was thrilled about the Portastatic pre-order?

Well. The record just fell into my mailbox. That is they way to brighten a day. They loaded me up y'allz. I got:

• An invoice with a sweet sharpie scrawled "61" letting Merge know I wanted the hot mess. (w00t!)
  
• A new streamlined Merge sticker
• A Portastatic post-card for "Who Loves The Sun"
• A Be Still Please poster with Mac getting some wave action
• The Some Small Things You Can't Defend demo CD inscribed by the man himself. You can bathe in the silver sharpied handwritten glory below:

(The underscore lets you know that this is indeed, Mac! who is dropping the science on the unwashed masses, without the need for punctuation, for punctuation is a brute's tool.)

• And finally , the Be Still Please album itself.

For the grand total of $13.00 American. And I got it, all the way across the Continent 3 business days before that record drops en la tiendas. That, young scholars all, is how you win and keep a customer, and turn him into something unwholesome in his enthusiasm.

I'm speechless.
And I'm Out.