• Here's a fun thread: "Do labels ever sign an artist just to shelve them?" Much of the thread is about whether or not Geffen screwed over Rock City Angels to protect Guns N' Roses. (Fun fact: Johnny Depp was in the band briefly.) On one hand you had a scruffy, bluesy rock band that arrived during the Guns N' Roses era. On the other hand you had a band not good enough to threaten Guns N' Roses -- and that's not just hindsight talking. (Read thread at The Velvet Rope)

• Veteran music critic Robert Christgau is doing just fine post-Village Voice. He was named contributing editor at Rolling Stone and as already mentioned is now a music critic for NPR's All Things Considered. His "Consumer Guide" archives will become editorial content at the Rhapsody online music store. (Via Idolator)

• Another day, another article about superstar artists going the independent route, another day of Terry McBride saying it's "the future" without explaining how artists because superstars without major labels. Nice creativity: Hall & Oates tackled their marketing budget problem by getting an exclusive deal with Trans World. (Read article at the Daily News. Thanks Frank.)

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