Sunday thoughts...

Reggaeton is ready for its 15 minutes. Move over, dancehall. (Reuters article)

The UC Davis Aggie newspaper reviews The Bens' new EP. Is this a joke? Ben Kweller, Ben Lee and Ben Folds actually recorded together? Looks like it. Here's the Amazon link to the import. Wow, there's actually a website?

The San Francisco Chronicle's Aidin Vaziri goes Q&A with the Crystal Method. Somehow the Crystal Method has held on to their careers after electronica went from being the next big thing to being relegated to 21-and-over clubs, all-ages raves and specialty radio. Ken and Scott talk about LA's lap dancing ban and drinking Jack Daniel's in the studio, among other topics.

The USA Today on the Punk Voter coalition, a group of punk bands formed by NOFX's Fat Mike. Nothing like starting early. Most punk fans won't be able to vote until 2008. That's why I don't like to go to punk shows. Being twice as old as the second oldest person at the venue is a drag.

Posted by Glenn at 8:15 PM | Link

Hip hop label Third Earth Music has Rap-Man at its website. Use the arrow keys to control the little rapper.

Posted by Glenn at 3:46 PM | Link | Comment (4)
|Digital Music|

Could there be any more reunions? Pitchfork gave some details on the upcoming Sebadoh tour. We've all been inundated with news about the Pixies reunion tour. The original Judas Priest line-up is back together again. Urge Overkill reunited for a tour. It's rumored the La's will reform. Big Star is going to record with the Posies and release an album later this year. Jane's Addiction has reunited several times. The Doors reunited. Hell froze over and the Eagles got back together. Black Sabbath's original line-up reunited.

As Jan Brady might say, "Reunions reunions reunions!" I mean, can some contemporary bands please steal the spotlight away from the re-runs? What does it say about today's music that reunions matter so much?

And how could I leave out VH1's Bands Reunited, which is--surprise--quite an interesting show and the only VH1 show I can stomach. Coolfer has seen VH1 cajole sometimes bitter and distant members of Romeo Void and Kajagoogoo (pictured) into reuniting for a special one-night-only performance; there have been others: A Flock of Seagulls, The Alarm, Berlin, Klymaxx, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Extreme (ugh) and Dramarama. Please, please, VH1, find a way to reunite the Replacements. Or Husker Du. Or maybe the Stone Roses? I guess M2 would probably be the channel to reunite those bands, right?

Sebadoh Frontmen Reunite For April Tour; No Plans For New Album from Pitchfork
Posies Re-Teaming With Big Star from Billboard.com
Pixies Tour Dates Are In! from Defy Magazine

Posted by Glenn at 3:15 AM | Link
|Music|

Clear Channel isn't going to be a poster boy for indecency, said one executive. Isn't the post-Janet fallout a lot of fun? (Read)

James Iha Part Two. (Read)

There She Goes. (Read)

Bad to the bone.

Posted by Glenn at 6:38 AM | Link

If you're in NYC, you have a few good choices for entertainment tonight:

Sea Ray plays Southpaw in Park Slope. They Brooklyn-based band play indie rock epics that unfold their layers slowly and gracefully. Download the song "Revelry" and give 'em a listen.

At the Continental you can check out a completely different brand of rock performed by one of New York's best live bands, Bad Wizard (pictured). Loud, fast, 70's-influenced boogie rock drenched in whiskey and cheap beer. They never, ever disappoint.

At Northsix, see GZA from Wu-Tang Clan. $20, though. Ouch.

At Avalon, Boy George headlines the Crash party. If you're not an Anglophile, you really have no reason being there...because you'd rather be dancing to Paul Van Dyk at the Roxy.

Posted by Glenn at 3:26 AM | Link
|Music||New York City|

At a music law conference at UC Berkeley's Hasting College of Law, the Electronic Frontier Foundation announced its idea to solve the music industry's problems with piracy: a voluntary $5 montly surchage that would allow all-you-can-eat downloading with impunity. The pot of money would be divied up according to a song's share of the total amount of music downloaded.

Not surprisingly, the RIAA isn't a proponent. Coolfer likes the idea but is hesitant for one main reason: All non-regulated companies should have the freedom to set prices as they see fit. (Compulsory licenses for radio is one thing, but unlike downloading radio does not transfer ownership.) Also, tracking all downloads, and thus determining who gets what amount of money, seems like a Herculean, problem-ridden and potentially fraud-filled undertaking.

The Answer to Piracy: Five Bucks? from Wired News
A Better Way Forward at the EFF website

Posted by Glenn at 11:47 AM | Link
|Digital Music||Music Industry|

"To me, all the draws that used to make New York interesting are rapidly evaporating," says Joseph GaNun of Academy Records & CD's on West 18th Street. "We are just becoming another big mall."

Today's NY Times covers the city's struggling music stores. Establishments like his, though, survive because they have carved out a niche that is less threatened by the digital world. He specializes in used classical vinyl.

Personally, Coolfer doesn't care if iTunes offered ten million songs. There's nothing like walking the aisles in a record store--especially one of California's Amoeba record stores (the San Francisco store, which used to be a bowling alley, is pictured to the right). Even in New York's space-starved stores like Other Music, shopping can be quite an experience.

Waiting for the Other Record to Drop from the NY Times

Posted by Glenn at 7:26 AM | Link
|Music||New York City|

Poor Apple Computer. It's tough being a famous, profitable tech cult. Apple is currently involved in two high-profile lawsuits brought by two high-profile plaintiffs. The first is The Beatles' Apple Corp, which is finally being argued in a British courtroom. The second is a more recent lawsuit filed by rapper Eminem, who claims Apple used one of his songs in an iTunes commercial without permission. Eminem also brought suit against MTV (which aired the commercial), MTV parent company Viacom and TBWA/Chiat/Day advertising agency.

Apple war pits Beatles label against computer maker from USA Today
Eminem Sues Apple & MTV over iTunes Ad from antiMusic.com

Posted by Glenn at 6:37 AM | Link
|Music Industry|

You mean to tell me the music industry's recent slump really wasn't so bad? The Guardian's Sean Dodson sat in on meeting between industry leaders brought together by a mobile phone operator. Their botton line: it isn't that bad. Concert ticket sales are up, and ringtones are a big growth industry.

Coofer can't emphasize this enough: ring tone sales are not a leading indicator of the music industry's health. But don't tell Sony. They're getting into the music-via-mobile act.

Second Sight from the Guardian
Sony gets sunrise music contract from Cellular News

Posted by Glenn at 3:56 AM | Link
|Music Industry|

Coolfer will be done with Typepad soon, but in the meantime you'll have to bear with me. Sorry for the delays in loading this and all other Typepad pages.

Posted by Glenn at 10:17 AM | Link | Comment (3)

Today's Village Voice dedicates three articles--which comprise all of page 81--to explaining how meager Courtney Love is these days. "How Too Late It Is" says one headline. "A big juicy fuckup for hissyhit-having little girls who hate being little girls," says the review of America's Sweetheart, the most panned album in recent memory. This is called being a slave to pop culture critique. Any other paper would have given an entire page to a worthy musician and given the washed up one two paragraphs.

Coolfer hadn't seen the Mr. T Experience (pictured) in 15 years until last night's show at Northsix. Berkeley Square. '89. Mr. T with Sweet Baby. That was a hot show. Coolfer's longtime friend Bobby J is now the bass player, he's on the far right.

One down: weak-hop act Black Eyed Peas have decided to bless the British with their music by moving to London. Seems they've experienced more success in the UK, and they figure any country that idolizes Robbie Williams has room in its heart for them, too. Enjoy the tax rates and universal health care, folks.

Wednesday is charts day: Norah Jones had a big second week drop in sales but held on to the top sales position. Kanye West was once again runner up. Evanescence took the bronze, the balding country singer took fourth and Outkast came in at #5. The Darkness are officially Top 40--they came in at #33. Jet is Top 40, also, but only barely--they came in at #40. Maroon 5 got a boost from their SNL performance (which Coolfer was lucky enough to miss) by going from #30 to #13. (Read Hits article)

Posted by Glenn at 10:09 AM | Link

This fills my weeky Strokes quota: they're playing Central Park's Summerstage on May 19th. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am.

Posted by Glenn at 7:23 AM | Link
|Music||New York City|

Grey Tuesday has received a ton of press. Coolfer's counting down the minutes until Jesse Jackson gets involved.

Downloading event defies the music industry on Grey Tuesday from the Cleveland Plain Dealer
Beatles Remix Web Protest from BBC.com
Today is Grey Album Day from P2Pnet.net
Grey Tuesday from 90% Curd
Tomorrow Is Grey Tuesday from The Real Janelle
High Notes & Low Notes from The NY Post
Music fans beg to buy music at The Register

Posted by Glenn at 5:41 PM | Link | Comment (2)
|Music Industry|

Atlantic Records should take notice: Geffen's upcoming Who "best of" Then And Now! 1964-2004 will contain two new tracks: "Real Good Looking Boy" and "Old Red Wine." According to Amazon.com, the list price will be a low low $12.98. Nineteen bucks for a Hootie and the Blowfish greatest hits is looking even sillier right about now.

New Who Songs Tipped For Best-Of Set from Billboard.com

Posted by Glenn at 5:34 PM | Link
|Music|

This is offensive. Forget Danger Mouse's legal problems.

Next Tuesday, Atlantic Records will release The Best of Hootie and the Blowfish 1993-2003, a career retrospective--with no new material and a suggested list price of $18.98! That's a lot of money, but it's especially steep considering there isn't a single new song on it.

Hey, major labels: If you're going to throw out a bunch of old songs, add some new liner notes and stick a bar code on it, don't insult people by charging $18.98. Has Kazaa taught you nothing?

Rhino & Atlantic Records Offer Hootie "Rear View" from mi2n.com

Posted by Glenn at 11:30 AM | Link | Comment (3)
|Music Industry|

Shows for the upcoming Pixies tour out are selling out in mere minutes. Demand was so great in Saskatoon that the venue's capacity will be doubled.

Coolfer can't help but notice the far-off cities the Pixies are playing. I mean, how did UC Davis land a coveted Pixies concert? Boise? Winnepeg? Are the concerts going to sell tour shirts that read "The Pixies 2004 Secondary and Tertiary Market Tour"?

Pixies Reunion Shows Sell Out Immediately from Billboard.com
Pixies Warm-Up Shows Sell Out In Mere Minutes from Chart Attack
Wave of Jubulation from the Winnepeg Sun

Posted by Glenn at 6:06 AM | Link
|Music|

A Rockdirt poll asks if nu-metal is dead. The majority of the 1,500-plus voters think it's either completely over or over for everybody but Korn and Limp Bizkit. Only 9% of voters think there's still a market for nu-metal. Coolfer isn't with those 9%. Nu-metal is all but over. But, judging from the odd, prolonged success of Staind, America's love for the metal ballad is as healthy as ever.

Do you believe 'Nu-Metal' is dead? at Rockdirt.

Posted by Glenn at 2:23 PM | Link
|Music|

Tomorrow is Grey Tuesday, a day of protest organized by activisists Downhill Battle, who are rallying against EMI's efforts to stop the sale of a Danger Mouse album that illegally samples The Beatles' The White Album in a remix of Jay-Z's The Black Album.

Coolfer will not take part in this protest, for a number of reasons.

First, EMI owns the recordings that Danger Mouse used to remix Jay-Z's The Black Album. The key word is owns. This is an ownership issue. Since Danger Mouse does not own those songs, he does not have free reign to use them as he sees fit. A master recording of a classic album is not akin to an open source programming code that is free to all users. It's a legally protected work of art. Just because Danger Mouse made this album doesn't mean the world has a right to hear it.

Second, Danger Mouse did not go through the proper channels. That is, he never even asked for permission to use those songs. He didn't attempt to reach an agreement that would allow him to pay royalties to EMI. Music is a business, and like all businesses it is guided by a set of laws. If Danger Mouse is going to be a legitimate recording artist and sell The Grey Album in legitimate places of business, he cannot play by his own rules.

Third, this isn't about censorship. It's about a companies' right to legally protest its assets. The Beatles catalog is a serious business asset. EMI and Apple have the right to choose how The Beatles' legacy will survive. Danger Mouse does not get to make that call.

Fourth, Danger Mouse has and will continue to experience financial gain due to his illegal use of The Beatles' songs...but will he share the money with the owners of the recordings or with the writers of the songs? It is wrong for one artist to benefit from another's creative works and not provide just compensation.

Modern day business has been built upon the protections granted to creative works, whether it be a copyright or a patent. Downhill Battle wants to undermine these keystones of worldwide business. They call it a "copyright cartel," but they offers no alternative to today's copyright law other than to steal from music companies as one sees fit. Until they are part of the public domain, EMI has the legal right to do whatever it pleases with those songs. In the meantime, Downhill Battle should take this matter to the courts, or spur legislation to change copyright law.

Posted by Glenn at 11:18 AM | Link | Comment (9)
|Music Industry|

Coolfer saw The National play the other night and was very impressed. The Brooklyn-based five-piece put out an album last year on Brassland, a small local label, and are currently touring with NYC chick magnets Elefant. Singer Matt Berninger evokes Tom Waits and the Tindersticks' Stuart Staples, and the band covers a lot of territory, from morose Americana to upbeat, screaming rock.

They'll be back in town in a few months, opening for 16 Horsepower.

Brassland homepage

Posted by Glenn at 10:25 AM | Link | Comment (1)
|Music|

Franz Ferdinand last night at the Bowery. Quite a good show. Much better than when I saw them at the Mercury Lounge last year, but then again the Mercury's PA system can at times sound like there's an AM radio on either side of the stage. While watching the kids from Scotland tear it up to the screams of a packed house, I realized that singer Alex Kapranos is a dead ringer for Memphis Grizzlies point guard Jason Williams. Minus the tattoos.

Billboard gets into the La's reunion news, which has been in the news a lot this week. Personally, Coolfer thinks the La's should sit this one out. Let us have that one album and wonder what could have been. Any songs recorded now will only sully their godlike reputation that has built up over the years.

The Vue are done with RCA, says Hits magazine. What? Never heard of the Vue? RCA didn't do a damn thing with them. Zero. Their SubPop albums sold nearly twice as much. Pitiful, RCA. Really pitiful.

Napster is having cash problems (read). Roxio laid off some employees, and many top executives have left the company. Those left aren't providing the leadership the company needs. A deal with HP fell apart and the computer maker sided with rival Apple. Unlike Apple, Napster sells no hardware. But, investors are being patient, it seems.

Posted by Glenn at 11:14 AM | Link | Comment (2)