50’s got all that loot and he keeps Tyson’s chairs, genius!

A Tipping Point For MP3s

November 30, 2007 - Digital and Mobile

By Ed Christman, N.Y.

Meanwhile, Hollywood Records has joined the list of major-distributed labels testing MP3 at Amazon and walmart.com. The company has supplied 30-40 titles from its mammoth catalog in the MP3 format. A check of those sites shows the latest albums from Atreyu and Grace Potter & the Nocturnals on the Hollywood label available in the MP3 format, though they are not available at iTunes.

Finally, given the steep decline in U.S. CD sales-so far, down 18.6% year to date compared with last year-music executives have been vocally worried about what the new year will bring for the physical format.By switching to a digital format that is compatible with all portable devices-including the all-important iPod-the move could help merchants like Wal-Mart and Amazon capture some of iTunes’ 70% market share, and perhaps grow the overall size of the digital marketplace.

“As expected, Michael Jackson will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his iconic “Thriller” album with a new edition of the set, due Feb. 12 via Epic/Legacy Recordings. It will include remixes by Kanye West, Akon and will.i.am, plus rare and unreleased material from the time period.” full billboard article

For more information on our gods girls of the WEEK (including her erotic spread, blog and stats) please join godgirls.com

This weeks review brought to you by Charity.

Horse the band- A Natural Death

Members-
Erik Engstrom- keyboards, gameboy, samples
Nathan Winneke- vocals
David Isen- guitar
Dashiell Han Arkenstone- bass, baritone, organ
Chris Prophet- drums

So I had heard of this band before, but never heard them. I decided I
should google them and of course good old wikipedia came up with a
description that made me love them already; “Nintendo-core”.

The album art work by David Klein definitely appealed to me, like the
blood brothers got stuck in an old western. I hope they dress like
that all of the time.

Vocalist David Winneke has apparently been known to describe his
lyrics as “Lynchian” (referring to director David Lynch), being
brought up on Twin Peaks I can assure all you Lynch fans that you will
not be disappointed by this claim.

On first listen I felt like I was listening to Darkest Hour via Sega
Mega Drive but a more diverse range of music emerged as the album went
on. Track 3, the sparking secret of super sapphire, is more mellow and
creepy and then a little later track 8, sex raptor, is like the
best/worst 80’s dance music ever until you listen to the lyrics and
realize how morbid, eerie and ever so slightly NIN they are. I’d like
to feel Nathan’s teeth, I hear they’re long and hard.

Technically this band are awesome- vocals, guitar, bass, drums,
keyboards; everything is tight and solid. It is refreshing to find a
band now who don’t have any weak links.

With vocals reminiscent of Marilyn Manson, Alexisonfire, Sikth and
everything inbetween; this band tickles me in all the right places.

I feel like Horse the band are what Enter Shikari would like to sound
like in 5 years with some effort and refining.

All in all, if you like any of the previously mentioned bands or
simply cannot define your music taste- pick up A Natural Death and I
think you will be as happy as me.

So thank you vicarious music for being the matchmaker in this
blossoming new love affair with Horse and myself.

For more information on our gods girls of the WEEK (including her erotic spread, blog and stats) please join godgirls.com

This weeks review brought to you by Katrina.

Back In Your Head - Remixes, Vol. 2 - EP - Tegan & Sara

First off, I love Tegan and Sara. I think their fantastic. Their single “Back in your head” is awesome! And they made this remix single of like three songs. The second one (RAC mix) is pretty sweet, other than that I prefer the original version. Most of the remixes on this album, I feel interfere with the awesome-ness of the original song. For all of you that don’t know “back in your head” Original version I highly recommend checking it out, if you like indie/girly-ness. I’ve been interested in Tegan and Sara for a long time.
Also, another thing about this album.. On itunes and other things they list it as “Dance” music which really it is not even close to dance music. I am a big dance/electronica fan and this is no where near what dance music is. So if that’s what your looking for in this “Remix” album of “Back in your head” you are going to be very disappointed.

Love always,

Katrina

Our debut album, “There Came A Lion,” hits stores February 5th, 2008! We are so excited about this album that we are giving you a super sneak peak of what to expect…for free! For a limited time, Absolutepunk.net is giving you the chance to download the very first new song “Be Still And Breathe” from the album for free here! Pass on the song with all of your friends and expect to hear more soon!

“Delivering a brand of anthemic pop-rock with jagged edges, ivoryline certainly has a winning formula. Also apparent, Ivoryline clearly have their gaze firmly set on the top.”
- Alex Davies of Decoy Music

I hate Josh Groban the way I hate James Blunt.  Ask anyone who has ever been in a car, store, restaurant with me, what happens when I hear those whiny, deafening words.. “you’re beautifullllll” AHHHHHH I go BONKERS. Ok have to stop thinking about that…there is a point to my story.

So, the point is about 3 years ago no one knew who the hell James Blunt was.  His album was struggling to keep alive at the bottom of the charts…he was on the verge of being over before he began. 

Then, one fateful day…he got the call that I’m sure MANY young artists dream of.  Oprah needed a last minute replacement for a show where an artist would play a song that they wrote about a very personal breakup or something.  Oprah called Blunt, and the next week, Blunt SOARED from number too low to even remember, to #2 on the charts, where he remained (somewhere in the top 10) for months.

Anywho….Fast forward to last week.  Josh Groban sells alot of records, we know that, adults love him, he’s clean cut, safe, plays music they understand, yada yada…but he put out this Chrismas record 9 weeks ago and it was like, ehh, somewhere lingering around, charting ok…

And then here comes Oprah-putting it on her Holiday must have list or whatever she calls it, followed by a surpise appearance by Groban himself…and what happens?

He SKYROCKETS to #1 on the Billboard charts this week, selling 409k albums, TOPPING Ms. A-Keys…and all with a CHRISTMAS ALBUM…can I repeat? A CHRISTMAS ALBUM.

UH, Oprah, message you to you hun, call the Foo Fighters, they need your help! Call Velvet Revolver, they REALLY need your help, I don’t even think they’re still on the charts!

Point is…CALL SOMEONE I CARE ABOUT AND PUT THEM ON YOUR SHOW! HELP ME SAVE ROCK MUSIC!

Ok, if you’ve ever met or saw Baby 43 in person this is a lot more entertaining…

MIXTAPE COMPILATION TO BE RELEASED DECEMBER 4^th FEATURES THE SOUNDTRACK & ORIGINAL SAMPLES

(November 28, 2007) — New York, NY —SWAGRICULTURE is proud to present the SAMPLOLOGY mixtape series, a mixed compilation of music & the original blends that inspired them. Each chapter highlights a select artist, producer or genre.

Continuing the legacy of the SAMPLOLOGY Series, DJ Parler (pronounced par-lay) brings you A Gangster Chapter.  Inspired by Jay-Z’s American Gangster, this phase blends the soundtracks songs with the original samples used to create them.

To be released on December 4^th the project coincides ironically with Jay Z’s birthday and the release date of his forthcoming acappella release of American Gangster. 

When asked to comment on the state of mixtapes and sampling usage in Hip Hop, DJ Parler remarks “This compilation isn’t intended to substitute the actual CD nor its samples, but to complement the album and excite those in search of good music. I’m hoping that after hearing my mixes, people will want to dig deeper.”

Additional SAMPLOLOGY Series include The K West Chapter, featuring material that Kanye West has appeared on as Producer and/or MC.   And The J Dilla Chapter, highlighting music produced by the late James Yancey a.k.a. J Dilla.

For more on DJ Parler and SAMPLOLOGY go to: www.myspace.com/djparler

“…a timeless mix for the ages”- HipHopDX.com

It is being reported that musician/producer Butch Walker has been devestated by the on again/off again raging Malibu wildfires.

Butch has been renting the Malibu home owned by Red Hot Chili Pepper, Flea, which has since been ravaged by the newest series of fires that began on November 24th.

Butch was in New York on tour at the time, but has lost a catastrophic amount of personal possesions including every master to every song he has ever recorded.

“I had just consolidated my entire recording studio and house from Atlanta into the one house In Malibu. I lost everything I’ve ever owned. Every master of every song I’ve ever recorded, every piece of recording equipment, guitars, drums and things I’ve collected over the years, cars, motorcycles, every family memorial, heirloom, picture, and document we ever had…. Gone. I feel like I finally know the difference between ‘going back’ and ‘going home’.”

It is said that friends and family members are rallying together to help Butch collect the essentials such as clothing for himself and his daughter.