Crystal Ball Provided by Rolling Stone Magazine...Maybe

Over at Rolling Stone, they've got some pretty interesting figures on what the music industry could look like in five years. Could look like, that is, if absolutely nothing about delivery methods and buying habits change. As long as absolutely no one innovates how music is made, delivered, marketed, and listened to. So definitely, I'm sure it'll come to pass. /sarcasm

"You kids, stop innovating out there! Don't make me come get you!" said the feisty old rock 'n roll geezer.

I think people still don't get it. The popular music industry...it had a great run. It lasted far longer than it probably should have (just ask rock star marketer Seth Godin, as he said the same in his book Meatball Sundae. And he's RIGHT.). 50-60 years is really too long to do anything one way. And the real peak was the 1970's, before video games, sugar cereals, and toys for adults gave music any real competition in the marketplace.

And for the record, I still like Rolling Stone. I like that they changed. It proves anyone can do it. Take notice, major record labels.

Here's my reply to that article, in case you were interested. I'm not just a "secret blogger". Let's get our truths out there, shall we?

This, of course, doesn't take into consideration any potential innovation in the market in how music is delivered or played. *gasp* mp3 might not be the end-all-be-all (just like CDs weren't?)?? Even delivery methods like jump drives are getting more consideration in communities where startups and indie labels are coming up with fresh ideas. Five years ago, did we think we'd be hearing about the music industry "dying" (wah, how emo of it) everyday, and not getting a free can of Dr. Pepper seemed to be the biggest problem with that to most listeners?

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Dr. Pepper trumps Mr. Brownstone!

So Axl's reaction to the Dr. Pepper publicity stunt (which, for you who haven't been playing at home, was that Dr. Pepper would give a free can of their cramp-inducing soda to anyone and everyone if Guns N Roses released the long awaited Chinese Democracy this year), is gaining more publicity than Chinese Democracy itself. At just 250,000 units moved this week, Chinese Handcuffs might have been a better title.

And I have to say, I'm a little shocked. Though I wasn't a buyer (I go to Best Buy about once every two years, so I'm obviously not the ideal consumer for this exclusive), I did have a listen on the band's official MySpace page, and I was fairly impressed. Though not comparable to Appetite for Destruction - now ironically an Amazon.com Vinyl Exclusive, it's not a bad pop record at all. I hold off calling it rock, because clearly Axl's mellowed over the years, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. His voice is strong and intact, and essentially, the only part of GnR that's left.

Is it good enough for a 17-year wait and 13 million dollar pricetag? A lot of reviews have been focusing on those two pieces of data, but I for one don't care. If we're going to hold this album up for value based on length and cost of the process, then let's do it for EVERYONE'S. Beyonce? How much did catering cost for her Sasha Fierce sessions? Clearly the quickness that a lot of artists are exhibiting in churning out albums (I'm looking at you, Britney) is less about productivity as it is capitalizing on publicity.

But fans have spoken for the 80's favorite screamer, and it looks like more are tuning in to see ex-GnR drummer Steven Adler dry out on Vh1's Celebrity Rehab each week than are dropping by their local electronics warehouse to pick up this "much anticipated" disk. Maybe he should have sacrificed the Dr. Pepper and picked a year to release it when people weren't more concerned with making mortgage payments than they are with disposable ear candy.

Someone should tell Creed before we all suffer these post-90's egomaniacal lead singers further.

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Alternate Headline is The Sky: I'm Blue

I don't have a link or credit for this, or I would post it, but I got it from a mailing list I'm on. Good for Michael for coming out...again. I mean, didn't he alredy do this? Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame induction, among other places? Did I hallucinate that?

R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe: I'm Gay
Monday March 17, 2008

R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe has come out of the closet.
“It was super complicated for me in the ’80s," he tells Spin. "I was totally open with the band and my family and my friends and certainly the people I was sleeping with. I thought it was pretty obvious.”
The singer, who had always deflected questions about his sexual orientation, says he "didn’t always see" how coming out could help others.
"But I see now, of course, that’s the case," he says. "I’d just never felt strongly enough about a particular relationship to say, 'Yeah, he’s my boyfriend, that is what it is.’
"Now I recognize that to have public figures be very open about their sexuality helps some kid somewhere out there.”
The band recently played the South by Southwest Music festival.
They release their next album, Accelerate, on April 1.

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Award shows, quit making me love you!

Wow. Who knew Oscar night would be all about, not just music, but a celebration of the independent spirit?

Example #1:



Example #2:



Example #3:

Diablo Cody wins for best screenplay (sorry, no YouTube of her speech is up yet).

What's next? Will the MTV Movie Awards renew my faith in humanity? Get back to disappointing me so I can get on with my life already!

And by the way, MAKE ART.

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Music reviews....from the future!

Apparently, Maxim magazine is the new Jean Dixon. They reviewed the new Black Crowes album, even though they haven't heard it.

Frankly, I don't know what the fuss is. The whole world (sans Spencer Pratt) seems to already know that Heidi Montag's album is going to suck, and it doesn't even exist yet.

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The End of the Benefit Concert? Say it ain't so!

According to CNN (for what that' worth), the days of the mega-benefit concert are now officially behind us. Whew! Thank you, CNN, for clearing that up!

Once again, big media and the music industry seem to be the last to notice that Al Gore's magical internet invention (I kid) is still going strong. AND that it cuts out far more wasted revenue to encourage the general populace of the wealthier nations of the world to donate directly to charities or organizations online, cutting out organizers and expended energy (extra irony added when the benefit is for energy conservation).

Sure, the retro girl in me is a little sad that I can't relive Live Aid ever again, (Oh wait, I guess I can). Actually, the DVDs are a far enhanced version of the actual event for me: I spent the day in front of the console TV set with my tape recorder, making sure I didn't miss this Duran Duran gem. Enjoy!



I'll miss you, Celebrity Note-Misses for Africa.

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Grammy Awards 2008 - The Official S&D Recap!

It seems most fitting to debut this blog with the most indulgent of all pop music happenings - The Grammy Awards. High fashion and low fidelity joined together in a beautiful hot mess and, for the first time in probably five years, I didn't want to throw up halfway through.

Now, admittedly, I've probably lost my edge. This helped me to enjoy the festivities more than I expected I would. It's hard to be jaded in a year when both Feist and Herbie Hancock are up for major accolades, with little fanfare. Could MUSIC be important again? After all, the closest thing to a celebutante spotted was Miley Cyrus, who doesn't even register on the Duff sister celeb-u-meter yet.

I started my evening watching E!'s report live from the red carpet. Whew, boy. I tolerated Debbie Mattadoesn'tregisteronmyradar (I will always only think of her as the first doof from The View)'s lack of interview prowess long enough to see some promising fashion (and just like in 1984, Cyndi Lauper is my favorite), and no complete trainwrecks. A little disappointing - fashion trainwrecks keep it real!

The show itself started a little slow with a too-much-like-"Unforgettable" performance of Alicia Keyes with Frank Sinatra's celluloid ghost. Luckily the mash-up performances featuring non-zombies that were to come made up for the lack of innovation.

My favorite of the new breed/old standard mash-ups? Had to be cuter than life Rihanna with The Time. THE TIME! If only Prince would have come out as "The Kid" and staged a dance fight with Morris Day all Purple Rain style. Least favorite? John Fogerty breaking Jerry Lee Lewis out of the home to remind us he's very, very old. How is he still living? I'd seen Little Richard live last year, so I knew he could still bring it (albeit a little more subdued). Even he seemed to be a little perplexed by why he was on stage with "The Killer".

Despite what seemingly everyone else (including my equally old dad) thinks, I thought Tina Turner brought it. I hope I'm still able to dress like a sexy baked potato when I'm post-menopausal.

I also liked Kanye West and Daft Punk. I know, Kanye's not for everybody, but I love his "I"m #1" schtick. Without pop star arrogance, we'd have the new watered down Prince, once our favorite egotist, who was barely noticeable onstage this year in his Golden Girls drapey outfit.

Best cry of the night: Cirque du Soleil first confusing me for being performers, then making me cry with the utter beauty of the surreal choreography of John Lennon's tragic viewing of his mother's death. Combined with "Let it Be" Across the Universe-style, and the waterworks were flowing. Boohoo, Grammy, boohoo!

Best self-awareless acceptance speech: Amy Winehouse, don't make me love you so much. Amy was like a broken doll, calling out to her husband as though she is not the most famous crackhead on the planet right now. Whitney, take notes. Owning your crazy it is new denying it.

Most pointless waste of my time: This year, I really don't think there was one. Amazing! No ridiculous reunions, no hype that wasn't met with something of substance. No Madonna in a unitard! w00t!

I can't even say the awards weren't deserved, because everything I saw made sense. Congrats to Herbie Hancock most for the best album upset. Let's hope it exposes a new audience to kickass jazz.

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