From the awesome Stop Making Sense concert film - check out "Life During Wartime" by the Talking Heads:
2011-02-27
2011-02-22
5 seconds of every #1 song ever
It's pretty mindbending:
5 Seconds Of Every #1 Song Ever
5 Seconds Of Every #1 Song Ever
Labels:
awesomeness,
billboard charts
2011-02-21
Musical depression
The REAL Death Of The Music Industry
My friend Adam sends me this link, with fancy charts and graphics... The thing that stood out to me the most is that the charts resemble classic boom-and-bust cycles in economics. Take a look at that second chart there, "The Right Chart". There was a peak in the late 1970s, then another peak right around 2000.
The music industry is unlikely to ever replicate those kinds of sales again. As illustrated in the great book Appetite for Self-Destruction, the labels thought the gravy train would never end, and that business would boom forever. Big mistake.
Sheet music was supposed to kill live performance, recorded music was supposed to kill sheet music, radio was supposed to kill recorded music, video was supposed to kill the radio star (sorta did), and on and on. In human history the 20th century is kind of an aberration, never has so much money been invested into music. It was another bubble that was going to burst.
My friend Adam sends me this link, with fancy charts and graphics... The thing that stood out to me the most is that the charts resemble classic boom-and-bust cycles in economics. Take a look at that second chart there, "The Right Chart". There was a peak in the late 1970s, then another peak right around 2000.
The music industry is unlikely to ever replicate those kinds of sales again. As illustrated in the great book Appetite for Self-Destruction, the labels thought the gravy train would never end, and that business would boom forever. Big mistake.
Sheet music was supposed to kill live performance, recorded music was supposed to kill sheet music, radio was supposed to kill recorded music, video was supposed to kill the radio star (sorta did), and on and on. In human history the 20th century is kind of an aberration, never has so much money been invested into music. It was another bubble that was going to burst.
Labels:
music business
2011-02-18
Radiohead album drops early!
I was going to buy it anyway, but well played in getting everyone to talk about it on a weekday, getting maximum coverage from the blogosphere...
Here's the link for North America! (now updated with link :)
One thing I will note though - $48 for mp3, $53 for the wav download. Because you get the physical CD in May, you're basically paying an extra $5 to 'rent' the higher quality version early, and to presumably help them pay for the server costs. I'd go with the mp3 version for now and upgrade from CD when the disc arrives.
The first track seems like classic Radiohead:
Here's the link for North America! (now updated with link :)
One thing I will note though - $48 for mp3, $53 for the wav download. Because you get the physical CD in May, you're basically paying an extra $5 to 'rent' the higher quality version early, and to presumably help them pay for the server costs. I'd go with the mp3 version for now and upgrade from CD when the disc arrives.
The first track seems like classic Radiohead:
Labels:
new music
2011-02-17
A look inside Trent Reznor's studio
Pretty intense setup he's rocking here, as he and his partner in crime Atticus Ross discuss The Social Network soundtrack:
Trent Reznor's Oscar-Nominated Score
[via Air Users Blog]
Trent Reznor's Oscar-Nominated Score
[via Air Users Blog]
Labels:
rock on film,
soundtracks,
video
Non-music nepotism post
Check out my girlfriend's Etsy store!
ThriftFindDesign @ Etsy
She's big into design and thrifty finds (as her profile title would suggest) and has a real eye for it. So if you're interested in handmade stuff, check it out. And tell your friends!
ThriftFindDesign @ Etsy
She's big into design and thrifty finds (as her profile title would suggest) and has a real eye for it. So if you're interested in handmade stuff, check it out. And tell your friends!
Labels:
friends
2011-02-16
New Pornographer's new video is awesome
The newest album, Together is definitely their best since Twin Cinema, and the strongest opening songs since Electric Version.
Here's my favourite song on the new album, although this video is kind of lame:
Labels:
video
2011-02-14
Double awesome!
Radiohead to release new album this Saturday... $48 though? Really? Sounds pretty wicked actually and I'll probably end up buying it, but come on, guys.
and in case you missed it:
Arcade Fire win album of the year at the Grammys, proving the awards show is not totally useless!
I wonder if this means they'll get more play on pop radio? I guess 2010 wasn't such a bad year for rock music after all...
and in case you missed it:
Arcade Fire win album of the year at the Grammys, proving the awards show is not totally useless!
I wonder if this means they'll get more play on pop radio? I guess 2010 wasn't such a bad year for rock music after all...
Labels:
awesomeness
2011-02-11
2011-02-09
Is James Blake The James Blunt Of Dubstep?
Is James Blake The James Blunt Of Dubstep?
Interesting read about the latest "it" artist.
See also: Pitchfork's glowing review.
This guy happens to be the same age as my youngest brother. Now that makes me feel old.
What makes Blake interesting, ultimately, is how he diverges from dubstep’s template. He belongs less to “pure” dubstep than to the league of mavericks that sprung out of bass culture simultaneously as dubstep made its ascent
Interesting read about the latest "it" artist.
See also: Pitchfork's glowing review.
This guy happens to be the same age as my youngest brother. Now that makes me feel old.
Labels:
new music
2011-02-07
New TV on the Radio this spring!
TV On The Radio to release new album this spring
Awesome! That, plus Cut Copy and Junior Boys make for an awesome start to 2011.
We should be so lucky to get something from Queens of the Stone Age as well....... that would be awesome too.
Awesome! That, plus Cut Copy and Junior Boys make for an awesome start to 2011.
We should be so lucky to get something from Queens of the Stone Age as well....... that would be awesome too.
Labels:
news
Off the artistic roll call
Eminem Gives Up [Gawker]
My jaw hit the floor when I saw this commercial last night. I couldn't believe it.
But I guess if Gang of Four can do it, then why not Eminem?
My jaw hit the floor when I saw this commercial last night. I couldn't believe it.
But I guess if Gang of Four can do it, then why not Eminem?
Labels:
article,
music business,
news
2011-02-06
Saigon Sunday
Here's a pretty bizarre rendition of a great song by Elton Motello from a German TV show:
The song was later repurposed by Plastic Bertrand as the French language nonsense song "Ca Plane Pour Moi":
It's pretty amazing how two artists can take the same material, and in this case basically the same backing track, and come away with such a radically different interpretation.
Apparently the later track was used in the film 127 Hours. I'm not sure exactly how it would fit in, but nothing says a guy stuck under a rock like some new wave kitchiness. Guess I'll reserve judgment til I see the movie!
The song was later repurposed by Plastic Bertrand as the French language nonsense song "Ca Plane Pour Moi":
It's pretty amazing how two artists can take the same material, and in this case basically the same backing track, and come away with such a radically different interpretation.
Apparently the later track was used in the film 127 Hours. I'm not sure exactly how it would fit in, but nothing says a guy stuck under a rock like some new wave kitchiness. Guess I'll reserve judgment til I see the movie!
Labels:
saigon sunday,
tracks,
video
2011-02-05
Super Blah
Black Eyed Peas are on half-time duty at the 2011 Super Bowl tomorrow. I'm not much a fan of football, but I am a huge fan of the parties. The year that Prince hosted the half time show was awesome. Not exactly who you'd expect for the rugged, manly game of football. But I guess if he can do it so can the Peas.
Go Jays.
Go Jays.
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