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Timbaland = Timothy B. Mosley

Posted on January 31, 2008 at 01:36 PM

And Shaggy = Orville Richard Burrell! And don't forget Gene Simmons, or, as family may call him, Chaim Klein Witz. You see, our favorite musicians (and not so favorite - see Toriano Adyrell "Tito" Jackson) have long employed stage names in order to better represent their sound, their image or, more honestly, because being an artist affords them the right to make themselves over. For far too long, we the fans have gone without a single database that aggregated all of this charming and eye-opening information. Step forward, then, digitaldreamdoor.com and specifically its Music Stars Real Names page. A quick glance across this page reveals the following jawdroppers:

Ol' Dirty Bastard = Russell Jones (NOT Big Baby Jesus, FYI)
Bono - Paul David Hewson
Elvis Costello - Declan Patrick MacManus
Joey Ramone - Jeffrey Hyman
Carrie Underwood - Carrie Marie Underwood (OK, not so exciting)

Tagged as: Music

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First I'm Taking You To The Loony Bin, Then I'm Going To The Brewery

Posted on January 31, 2008 at 11:30 AM

BsOnce more: in the words of the Twin Peaks Giant, It is happening again. Very early this morning a phalanx, as they say, of cops and medical teams, not to mention reporters and helicopters, descended on the Studio City, CA home of Britney Spears. Ms. Spears was taken to the UCLA Medical Center where she is apparently undergoing a psychiatric evaluation (don't even TALK to Tom Cruise about psychiatric evaluations - he and the you-know-who's hate that stuff!). Presumably they will either 1) determine instability and keep her there, or 2) deem her just safe enough to release back into our totally sane society. Hair metal fans and Cali-psych enthusiasts will know that the Golden State's mental health statute is known as 5150. It's got what it takes... so tell me Why Can't This Be Sanity? From ABC:

Vanhalen_5150_fcoverPolice and an ambulance rushed the troubled pop star away from a side entrance at her home and took her to UCLA Medical Center, according to the Times. A call from her psychiatrist prompted the scene, the Times reported.

A hospital spokesman would not confirm whether Spears was at the hospital, The Associated Press said.

Under a state mental health statute known as 5150, an individual who is considered by a medical professional to be a danger to herself or others can be involuntarily committed to a mental institution by her family or even friends. Such a confinement is called an evaluation hold.

Tagged as: Britney Spears , Celebs

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Dead Heat...

Posted on January 29, 2008 at 11:01 AM

Jls_2 It's just another gloomy, overcast Tuesday where this is being written. Political junkies and schadenfreude enthusiasts have their eyes trained on the Republican primary in Florida, jaded indie rockers are either flipping their wigs over or readying the backlash machine against NYC afropop fans Vampire Weekend and Britney watchers are licking their lips over the latest tidbits from the BS Party Machine, all while MacBook Air desire rambles on. This is "cultural" America, January 29, 2008.

TMZ - Britney gets in a fight - "Baby, can you come pick me up?"

Wired - MacBook Air... Tastes Like Chicken

New York Mag
- What to expect from the upcoming Vampire Weekend backlash...

Random photo of JLS via AP/Yahoo. Photo of VW via VW.

Vampireweekend

Tagged as: Celebs

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Runnin' With The Devil

Posted on January 28, 2008 at 12:23 PM

Dlr

First it was ripped mp3s, then officially released mp3s, then remixes, then unreleased tracks, so it's no surprise that a recent trend has been trading and downloading individual tracks from recordings we only know in officially sanctioned form. An example? This pretty awesome isolated track of David Lee Roth's vocal on Running With The Devil. If you listen closely in the choruses, you can hear the backing track through, presumably, Roth's headphones. Dude can sing. Click through to this site to listen. You'll be glad you did.

Tagged as: Music

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The Ones and Twos at One or Two

Posted on January 25, 2008 at 02:24 PM

TurntablewatchAre you an aspiring DJ who needs help knowing what time it is? Then this is the watch for you: a Flud model that takes its inspiration from the classic Technics tables look. If you've ever wanted to take DJ culture with you wherever you go, then dance, don't walk, to the checkout page. As the Flud page notes, it's all about keeping it real. Amen, brothers and sisters... amen. Via Gizmodo.

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Robert Plant Hates Radiohead

Posted on January 23, 2008 at 10:52 AM

RpOf course, he may have been tipsy when he made this rather shocking, pan-generational bitchslap, but it's still fascinating, and funny. Led Zep belter Robert Plant took to the metaphorical soapbox in a North London pub to frankly declare his distaste for Oxford blip and bleepers Radiohead. He also took on (more slight-worthy) Red Hot Chili Peppers. From the NME:

Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant labelled Radiohead “crap” while out drinking in north London at the weekend, according to The Sun’s Buzarre column.

According to the paper, Plant was drinking with a woman and demanded that the music playing in the pub was changed.

Apparently Plant described Radiohead as “rhyming crap”, and also rubbished Red Hot Chili Peppers (whose music he likened to a nursery rhyme) before settling on Captain Beefheart.

Pic by Getty via NME.

Tagged as: Music

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Oh Dear...

Posted on January 22, 2008 at 11:40 AM

AwThe Sun in the UK has photos of Amy Winehouse smoking crack. It gets worse - her wedding picture is in the background! She smoked crack, snorted cocaine and apparently ecstasy was involved, too. Also, she took a dangerous, barefoot amble across glass-laden floor in a desperate attempt to locate a kitten. Um, don't smoke crack, snort cocaine or get involved with ecstasy. From The Sun:

At one point, lank-haired Amy is warned to watch out for smashed glass on the floor as she scours a bedroom for her kitten barefoot.

The dazed and confused star accuses a guest of taking the pet from a quiet room into the drug-fuelled hubbub of her house party.

She mumbles wearily: “If I was that cat I’d leave on my own accord — I’d call a cab. It ain’t right. This ain’t Toys R Us. They took my cat.”

Tagged as: Celebs , Music

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Obama/Wentz in '08

Posted on January 18, 2008 at 10:36 AM

PwIf you are on the fence about who to support this election year, let Fall Out Boy be your guide. Specifically, guyliner guy Pete Wentz. Dude's all about Barack Obama. But not about capitalizing state names. From Punknews.org:

I have been an Obama supporter from day one. After watching the new hampshire primary, I couldn’t just be an observer anymore. I had to act. We’ll pass on the string quartet, DJ Whiteshadow will put a new spin on politics as usual. Forget the wine and champagne. I will be pouring the night’s specialty shot, the O-bomb(a).

This isn’t your parents’ fundraiser, while these changes to the traditional fundraiser are unconventional, they represent the kind of shake up that I believe Barack Obama can bring to Washington. Change we can believe in.

Tagged as: Current Affairs

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Broad Street Bullies

Posted on January 17, 2008 at 10:12 AM

Mc

A Chicago man is suing Motley Crue and promoter Live Nation for injuries he suffered at a 2006 Crue show in which he suffered bodily harm at the hands of a Cure member. Which one? The suit doesn't say, only that he was hit in the head with a guitar. Which narrows it down to Mick Mars or Nikki Sixx. Seeing as how such an act would give Mars a hernia, it's gotta be Sixx. From Tampa Bay Online:

Gerald Schneeman, of Rockford, Ill., was at an Aerosmith and Motley Crue concert at the Ford Amphitheater on Nov. 22, 2006, according to the lawsuit filed on Monday.

The lawsuit states Schneeman was standing in front of the stage when he was stuck in the head with a guitar by a member of Motley Crue who was not named in the suit.

The band member jumped from the stage and knocked Schneeman to the ground, according to the suit. Security came over and assaulted Schneeman, then dragged him from the venue, according to the suit.

He suffered bodily injury, scarring and disfigurement, according to the suit. Details of his injuries were not listed.

Tagged as: Music

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Joel And Nicole Welcome New Business Partner

Posted on January 16, 2008 at 10:27 AM

Maddenrichie

As you may have heard, Nicole Richie had her shortie last week. Mother, tattooed father and child are doing well. So well, in fact, that Joel Madden, posting on his company blog, is apparently looking forward to lil' Harlow Winter Kate Madden contributing to the bottom line. From DCMA, via E!:

Well I am finally home with my beautiful girlfriend and our brand new little daughter. Harlow Winter Kate Madden was born on January 11th 2008 at 3:13pm. She weighed in at 6 pounds and 7 ounces. She is 19 inches long and growing everyday already! She really is a wonderful addition to the GC/DCMA/DEADEXEC family...

Tagged as: Celebs , Music

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Our National Steroids Nightmare Now Includes Rappers

Posted on January 15, 2008 at 10:30 AM

5cNot just rappers - Mary J. Blige, too! Oh Mary J., say it ain't so - the Albany Times Union reported on Sunday that Mary J. Blige, Wyclef Jean, Timbaland and 50 Cent, among others, have ordered performance enhancing drugs over the years, drugs including steroids and HGH (human growth hormones). The result? Our greatest chart stars are ripped beyond belief, Blige included. Will this result in Blige recording with Roger Clemens? A 50 Cent/Barry Bonds mashup? Please, steroids gods, no. From the NY Daily News:

Rappers 50 Cent, Timbaland and Wyclef Jean and actor Tyler Perry also allegedly ordered steroids or human growth hormone from doctors and pharmacists targeted in Soares' investigation, according to the paper.

Authorities have uncovered no evidence the celebrities violated any drug laws. Timbaland, Jean, 50 Cent and Perry could not be reached for comment.

The Times Union, citing unnamed sources, claims Blige and the other stars sometimes used fake names to receive prescriptions allegedly signed by Dr. Gary Brandwein of Florida.

Tagged as: Music

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Ultimate Cobain Moving Coming?

Posted on January 15, 2008 at 10:00 AM

SjIt will be if Courtney Love has anything to do with it. According to reports, Love has approached Scarlett Johansson to play Love in the film of Heavier Than Heaven, a Cobain biography written with Love's cooperation. Love needed to find an actress who could convey Love's half of this complicated relationship, all while having similar looks to Love. Since no one fit that description, they're chasing the uber-hot Johansson. Ryan Gosling is apparently in to play Cobain. From The Mirror:

A close friend says: "Kirsten Dunst was rumoured to be in the frame, but Courtney really admires Scarlett and has already sent the contract out for her to sign. Courtney even copied Scarlett's sleek blonde movie look when she was in London for the Fashion Rocks party last year.

"This is a labour of love for Courtney and she is putting her heart and soul into making it an accurate, credible glimpse of her life with Kurt."

And Courtney has also lined up Oscar-nominated Ryan Gosling to play husband Kurt.

Her friend adds: "She wants the best actors to portray them - she will be on set all the time giving Scarlett and Ryan advice on what it was like being one part of the most notorious couples since Sid and Nancy. It will be explosive."

Tagged as: Celebs , Film , Music

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Don't Tase Me Bro - Wait, Tase Me!

Posted on January 14, 2008 at 09:31 AM

Taserr_450x250

If you've ever wanted the security of a taser with the convenience of over 1GB of mp3s, then congratulations - this is your lucky day. Taser, which is also the name of the company that makes tasers, announced the rockin' and dangerous product at the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas. The drive is actually contained in the holster, not the weapon itself, so there is no danger of accidentally electro-shocking your Rihanna 'p3's. Pic via Metro UK.

Tagged as: Music

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Panic At The Disco! Now Panic At The Disco

Posted on January 11, 2008 at 11:12 AM

PatdPanic At The Disco! have removed the exclamation point from their name, preferring to move forward as Panic At The Disco. Now that there is no exclamation point there, I realize they they will be more mature in the future and now can't wait to purchase their upcoming mature music that will undoubtedly reveal a band that has matured since their last album, when they had an exclamation point at the end of their name and were less mature than they are now. From Rolling Stone:

In news that is sure to be a relief for copy editors worldwide, a rep for Panic! at the Disco has confirmed that the band will hereafter be known as Panic at the Disco. But wait, their sophomore album will be titled Pretty. Odd. (Creative punctuation wins again.) Panic will be playing their new material live on this year’s environmentally friendly 8th Annual Honda Civic Tour, which they’ll be headlining (the tour starts April 10th at San Francisco’s Warfield Theatre and wraps June 14th’s at Anaheim’s Honda Center; full dates will be announced later).

Tagged as: Music

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A Chinese Democracy Rumor!

Posted on January 10, 2008 at 11:54 AM

ArCould 2008 be the year that the long-in-the-making (is it really "long-awaited" anymore?) Guns n' Roses album Chinese Democracy album is released? It's anyone's guess and, as usual, all we have to go on are rumors. So with that in mind, here is a rumor... Axl has turned the album in to Geffen execs, but now they're fighting about the marketing campaign! From antiMUSIC, via Idolator:

The latest rumor swirling around Guns N' Roses is that the long over-due "Chinese Democracy" is complete and with the label but a new battle has emerged that is causing further delay.

We don't know how much stock to put into third or fourth generation rumors, but the word on the street is that Axl has turned in the CD to Geffen at long last but no release date is in sight because Axl and the label can not agree on the marketing of the album.

Tagged as: Music

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Dimebag Darrell Statue Support Swelling

Posted on January 10, 2008 at 11:32 AM

DdMankind has a funny thing for statues. It's a bit odd that we build these life-size likenesses of people we like and then just, what... look at them? Have them around? Michaelangelo's David... understandable. Rodin? Sure... But hey, if it's rock n' roll statues we're talking, then we say (in a deep John Kerry 2004 voice) BRING, IT, ON. The folks of Dallas want to build a statue of slain Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell and there certainly is a precedent for this sort of thing. Witness statues of original AC/DC singer Bon Scott (Fremantle, Australia), Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott (Dublin) and Jimi Hendrix (Seattle), to name only a few. Of course, this movement has a MySpace. From the Dallas Observer:

The two dudes trying to erect a "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott statue in Dallas got a big boost this week: Revolver ("The World's Loudest Rock Magazine!") ran a little piece about the efforts of Houston's Joey Riordan and Toronto's mono-monikered Mangra, which is snowballing down the virtual metal mountain thanks to Blabbermouth.net.

Truth is, the duo have been at this since June, at the very least; thus far, it appears they've raised some $1,063.33 following a fund-raising concert in Canada last month.

Tagged as: Music

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Let's Not Hear It For The Boy

Posted on January 10, 2008 at 10:25 AM

Footl

It's the 21st century, but you wouldn't know it from the recent actions of the city officials of St. Charles, MO, who have proposed banning swearing in bars, drinking contests and, ahem, profane music. They claim the move will cut down on noise produced by bars and their boisterous patrons. But really, it's just the latest in a long series of moves designed by the Man to take away rock n' roll. People of St. Charles, MO: don't take this. Fight back. Dance. Cut loose. Footloose. From Yahoo/AP:

What the ...? A St. Louis-area town is considering a bill that would ban swearing in bars, along with table-dancing, drinking contests and profane music. City officials contend the bill is needed to keep rowdy crowds under control because the historic downtown area gets a little too lively on some nights.

City Councilman Richard Veit said he was prompted to propose the bill after complaints about bad bar behavior. He says it will give police some rules to enforce when things get too rowdy.

But some bar owners worry the bill is too vague and restrictive, saying it may be a violation of their civil rights.

Tagged as: Music

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Acts That Were Dropped By Majors in 2007

Posted on January 9, 2008 at 10:28 AM

Akt

Photo: Alkaline Trio pictured in their former office at V2...

Unless you have been living on Mars (in a cave, with your eyes shut, and your fingers in your ears!), you are aware that the music industry is in flux, and that major labels are kinda not doing so well. Entertainment Weekly, therefore, provides this handy dandy list of artists that were dropped, for one reason or another, by majors in 2007. Of course, some of these artists left voluntarily (Radiohead, White Stripes, Paul McCartney) and others have since found new homes (Moby, Jewel). Still, a pretty disconcerting list when viewed as a whole. Some other artists on the list? Alkaline Trio, Trail Of Dead, Christina Milian, Dandy Warhols, Kelis, Melissa Auf Der Mar, P.O.D., Paris Hilton (say it ain't so...), Sugarcult, The Donnas and, erm, Ruben Studdard. The entire list can be found at EW.

Tagged as: Music

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Eminem Had Pneumonia (He Did?)

Posted on January 8, 2008 at 03:34 PM

EmLatest medical news from Southeast Michigan reveals that The Marshall Mathers Rapper was admitted to a hospital "over the holidays" and is now recovering at home. So, um, here is your first Eminem news in about five years. Eminem, slowly fading from the world's radar... From the AP:

Eminem is recovering from a bout with pneumonia that sent him to the hospital.

"Over the holidays, Marshall Mathers, aka Eminem, was under doctor's care at a Detroit-area hospital for complications due to pneumonia," the rapper's publicist, Dennis Dennehy, said Tuesday. "He has since been released and is doing well recovering at home."

Eminem's illness first was reported by celebrity Web site TMZ.com.

Tagged as: Music

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Shins Member Arrested For Domestic Violence Against America's Next Top Model Model

Posted on January 8, 2008 at 10:51 AM

Sh

Hopefully this story will not change your life. Over the weekend, Sacramento police were called to the motel room of Shins keyboardist Marty Crandall and his presumably now ex-girlfriend Elyse Sewell, formerly of America's Next Top Model to investigate an alleged domestic dispute and assault. Crandall was arrested, as was Sewell, as Crandall had signs of on attack on his body. Sewell posted photos and a recap on her Livejournal page, which has since been locked. Apparently, it was all about tacos from Del Taco (seriously). Weird, fascinating and sad tale. All alleged at the moment, of course. Pic via The Modern Age. From The Oregonian:

Though neither Sewell nor Crandall returned requests for comment, Sewell wrote in detail about the incident on LiveJournal.com, an international blogging community started in Portland. The post has since been locked, but copies circulated quickly around the Internet, including a photo of what appears to be Sewell's arm, with a number of bruises.

Sewell wrote: "my ex-boyfriend got (drunk) and roughed me up in a Sacramento hotel. I escaped from the room through a blitzkrieg of violence and talked to hotel security, who called the fuzz."

Sewell then recounted her own arrest and night in jail. She is scheduled to be arraigned today. Crandall was released Sunday, and neither had been formally charged as of Monday. The case is still under investigation, according to the Sacramento County district attorney's office.

Sub Pop, the Shins' record label, released a brief statement confirming the arrests and seeking respect for the couple's privacy.

Fans online blogged furiously about the episode on music and television sites, arguing both for and against Crandall and Sewell.

Tagged as: Music

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Manhattan Bashed Again, This Time By Cloverfield

Posted on January 7, 2008 at 10:19 AM

Over the years New York City has been attacked and knocked around like no other city; giant lizards, dystopian prisons, nuclear annihilation, freak weather occurrences, and Sex & the City tourists. Next in line to level NYC is Cloverfield, a flick coming out on January 18th with a still-secret monster protagonist. The sheer amount of bombardment is too much for one Manhattan bar-goer, who left the following social commentary in the bathroom of East Village tavern 2A over the weekend. Below, the affected poster. Hollywood: LEAVE US ALONE.

010508_1933_2

Tagged as: Film

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Britney Spears on Stretcher, Being Evaluated

Posted on January 4, 2008 at 11:07 AM

BsThe Britney '08 campaign continues! After impressive victories in the Celebrity Stupidity debates in 2007, Britney Spears has opened 2008 with a stunning and dramatic victory in the Iowa Train Wreck caucuses last night. Turnout on her part was 100%, and she finished with strong momentum heading into the rest of the campaign. Yes, that photo features Britney on a stretcher. From CNN International:

Pop star Britney Spears was taken to a hospital for tests to see if she was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and for a psychological evaluation after police were called to her home Thursday night to mediate a custody dispute, a police spokesman said.

Spears appeared to be conscious as she was rolled out of her Studio City home on a gurney about three hours after police and ambulances arrived there.

According to The Associated Press, officers were called to Spears' house around 8 p.m. to respond to a custodial dispute with ex-husband Kevin Federline over their sons, 2-year-old Sean Preston and 1-year-old Jayden James, Officer Jason Lee of the Los Angeles Police Department said.

Tagged as: Britney Spears , Celebs

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Kanye West - Connect 4 Fanatic

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 11:00 AM

Kw

Connect 4 - the classic game of sliding red and black chips into neat lil' slots and stacking them - has a new fan in Kanye West. According to his blog, Kanye has been killing time on his Europe tour by taking on all comers and building a decent won-lost record. The Connect 4 champ of the R&B world, though? That would be Beyonce. Kanye set up a head to head match atthe newest outpost of Jay Z's 40/40 Club in Las Vegas. The result? Kanye managed to eke out one win - whereas at one point Beyonce won nine in a row. From Kanye's blog via BrooklynVegan via The Fader:

When I was in Europe I would play this game for hours and hours... it helped me zone out. Everybody would get envolved... Derrick Dudley (Common's manager) and Consequence were the best other than me... I beat Lexi... Don C beat Jay... Tony Williams beat Common... but every now and then people would speak of this legendary connect 4 champion........... BEYONCE!!! I had 2 play her!...so last night at Jay's new 40/40 club in Las Vegas (which is sidebar, crazy big w/ 24krt gold flooring, Black Jack tables, $500 slot machines,the biggest projection screen in the universe and the best turkey burgers I've ever had in my life) she beat me 9 times in a row! (and I didn't even spaz lol) here's a photo of the only game I won!

Tagged as: Celebs , Music

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Britney's Legal Eagles Fly, Fly Fly...

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 10:23 AM

BsThe legal team representing Britney Spears has asked an L.A. judge to resign from Britney, the case and the whole freakin' kit and kaboodle. 2008 is turning out to be very 2007 (and 2006, and 2005, and...) for Britney. Why are they quitting, even though winners never quit? Because Britney's antics are defeating the cause. Britney, help them help you. And in case you were wondering, she's been getting it on with the paparrazo/photog/stalker she met over the holidays. From Monsters and Critics:

Spears is still shacking up in hotels with the paparrazo she picked up during the holidays, Usmagazine.com reports that the pop star, wearing a black wig and dark sunglasses, and photographer Adnan Ghalib, 35, checked into the Parker Hotel in Palm Springs around 2 a.m. on Jan. 2 – and then checked out around 7 a.m.

This isn't the first time 26-year-old Spears has spent time in a hotel with Ghalib – Spears has developed an intimate relationship with the photographer who told Us in September, "I'll get her sooner or later".

Last week, Ghalib comforted her at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Tagged as: Britney Spears , Celebs

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A Digitally Improved 2008

Posted on January 2, 2008 at 10:46 AM

CdAs any iTunes customer (and brick and morter shopper like the gentleman above) knows, digital music purchasers are missing out on a whole heap of goodies that CD and vinyl buyers have always enjoyed - namely, artwork, lyrics, liner notes and other concomitant niceties of physical product. And, they continue, this is a reason why P2P sites sometimes offer superior goods; often, these items are scanned somewhere along the way and are included in the file folders.

But the shortcomings of legitimate digital music could come to an end in 2008! Reuters Canada believes that an increased number of competitors in the digital marketplace will result in better and more complete product packages. That is to say, if you buy a digital album, you may soon also receive not just the audio files, but liner notes, lyrics, behind the scenes footage, interviews, ringtones, wallpapers and interactive album art. Yes. But wait, there's more:

The problem is that the four major music companies rarely work together on anything. So another angle would be for each to go it alone. If digital music services can't or won't incorporate better metadata into their downloaded files, look for third-party applications to emerge that will do so after the fact.

Early examples of this are two games developed for the iPod -- "Musicka," created by the developers of the original music rhythm game "PaRappa the Rapper," and "Phase," created by "Rock Band" and original "Guitar Hero" developer Harmonix. Both are rhythm-based games that let users "play" along to the songs on their device by pressing buttons at the right time.

The point is that if these game companies can do it, there is no reason why labels can't offer (or commission) their own iPod plug-in that will import better album art, liner notes and lyrics directly from the label or artist and ported into iTunes and the iPod.

In the year ahead, look for several efforts from both camps as digital music distribution becomes more important to the music industry as well as a point of increasing competition among service providers.

Tagged as: Music

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« December 2007  | Main  | February 2008 »

JAY-Z Video

JAY-Z on 'The Blueprint 3'
Jay-Z
Toure finds out where the new album resides in JAY-Z's catalog of classic records.
JAY-Z on Cover Art
Jay-Z
Toure and JAY-Z talk about the inspiration for his new album's cover art.
Daily Noise: JAY-Z Interview
Jay-Z
We sit down with JAY-Z to talk about his new album and more.
D.O.A. (TRANSLATED!)
Jay-Z
Watch the video and read Fred Pessaro's translation for the hip hop impaired.
Run This Town
Jay-Z
Watch JAY-Z, Rihanna and Kanye run this town. Heck, I'd vote for them.