All in all a pretty uneventful week. Well, other than some new Apple products that have everybody thinking new business models and positing about the dismantling of record labels as we know them. The video iPod was greeted with the typical "oohing" and "aahing" that comes with nearly every new product launch (other than the ROKR). So much so, actually, that Slate's Jack Shafer was compelled to write "The Apple Polishers" about the media's crush on Steve Jobs...kind of a tech version of the self reflection in Kelefa Sanneh's "The Rap Against Rockism" article for the NY Times.

There was no Jason Flom announcement. The former head of Atlantic Records, who is called things like "last music guy in the music business" and "the last rock guy left at Warner Music," is expected to breathe new life into his new home.

Sony BMG's Andrew Lack had his fair share of media coverage. First he made the news for telling analysts and investors that variable pricing is a good thing -- though it seems some left out his later comments that left no question that Sony BMG does not believe increasing prices would be wise with digital revenue around 5% of its total. Then more recently Lack made news after the NY Times' Jeff Leeds revealed Bertelsmann isn't happy with the Lackster and wanted to drop him after his contract comes up in six months. Later reports had Lack in Europe lobbying on his own behalf.

Today came a report in German magazine Der Spiegel ("citing no sources") that Betelsmann wants Lack out because of the $114 million contract he gave to Bruce Springsteen (who is, by the way, on Sony's Columbia Records). It was -- and is still -- a controversial move. Many worry The Boss just doesn't have the sales in him to warrant such a contract. In light of Korn's new profit-sharing deal some have wondered if such a deal would be good for a guy like Springstreen who can still bring in crowds for concerts but can't get a blockbuster album.

Earlier in the week Coolfer compared the front pages of four online music stores...good grades for iTunes, not so good grades for Napster.

Also, check Coolfer's review of the week's album chart. Nickelback tore up the competition.