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New New Musical Express - March 2008

 
    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 15 Mar 2008, 16:21

    Sci/Tech: O2 to launch Napster mobile download service

    LONDON, March 14 (Reuters) - Britain's largest mobile phone operator O2 has signed a deal to offer 5 million songs to its users from the digital music service Napster (NAPS.O: Quote, Profile, Research).

    Users to O2, owned by Spanish group Telefonica (TEF.MC: Quote, Profile, Research), will be able to pay 99 pence per track or 4 pounds for five tracks which will then be delivered to their mobile phone and computer.

    Mobile operators and handset makers have moved to offer services such as music and gaming in recent years to offset a fall in traditional voice revenues.

    O2 said the service would be Britain's largest full-track mobile music download service and would be available on over 30 different handsets.


    Source: Reuters UK

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 17 Mar 2008, 13:27

    Velha Guarda da Portela - Tudo Azul

    Only took eight years to reach us.

    'New' (lol!) album from Velha Guarda da Portela - TUDO AZUL.

    The production values and quality of recording aren't perhaps what we're used to nowadays (it's truly lo-fi) but in a rough and ready way, it's a good listen. Fully streamable and tagged 'my gang 08' to appear in our Featured Albums radio.

    Amazon UK

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 17 Mar 2008, 14:20

    NEON NEON - I Lust U

    Neon Neon's new album can be heard in its entirety on their MySpace.

    As promised, video for I Lust U:

    clicky

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 17 Mar 2008, 23:23

    Sci/Tech: Webware 100 2008



    After winning last year, Last.fm are again amongst the finalists in CNET's Webware 100 2008, in the Audio category.


    Go vote!

    Voting closes 31st March.

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 18 Mar 2008, 17:49

    Sci/Tech: Madonna to release new album via mobile



    Madonna, the singer who famously refused to make her music available on iTunes, will become the first artist to release an album via mobile phone prior to its release in store.

    The material girl, who is also fighting rumours that her marriage to Guy Ritchie is under threat, has announced plans to allow Vodafone customers in Europe to download her new album to their phones a week before its launch on April 28.

    One song a day from Hard Candy - her 22nd album - will be made available to customers for download in the week prior to release at 99p each. The first single from the album, 4 Minutes, is already available for 75p.

    The decision follows a similar move by the R&B producer Timbaland in the US last month, and marks a sharp departure from Madonna's approach to digital music services several years ago, when she was one of several high profile acts to resist making their music available on iTunes for fear that the site would bring about 'the death of the album'.

    Madonna, who turns 50 this summer, has since relented, and in 2006 a ringtone of a new single, Hung Up, became the best-selling in 29 countries when it was released a month before the song went on sale in stores. Her children's books - read by the author - are also available on iTunes.

    “This is an innovative way to reach millions of Madonna fans around the world,” said John Reid, vice chairman of WMI and president of Warner Music Europe.

    Details of the release of Madonna's new album came amid reports that her marriage was under strain after her husband, the film director Guy Ritchie, failed to appear at the singer's recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

    "I am delighted to confirm that Mr and Mrs Guy Ritchie remain happily married,” Liz Rosenberg, Madonna's US spokeswoman, said today.

    The early release of Hard Candy marks the latest in a series of attempts by mobile phone companies to seize back the initiative in the digital music market from the likes of Apple, which controls a huge share by virtue of the tie up between iPods and iTunes, its online music store.

    Vodafone already offers a service called Music Station, which allows its 3G customers to access millions of tracks from all four major record labels via their phones for a weekly subscription of £1.99.

    In the next couple of months, the company - the largest mobile operator by revenue - will also unveil a new service, Music Station Max, which will incorporate an 'all you can eat' package as part of the phone contract, though the songs will largely disappear when the contract expires.

    Last week, O2, the operator, announced a deal with Napster which will allow its customers to choose from a library of five million songs for 99p each.

    Nokia, the handset-maker, is also due in the second half of the year to release its 'Comes With Music' phone, which will have the entire Universal catalogue, including music from artists such as U2 , 'built in' to the handset when the customer signs their contract.

    Last month the American R&B producer Tim 'Timbaland' Mosley, who has collaborated with singers such as Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake, became the first artist to release an album exclusively via mobile on the Verizon network.


    Source: Times Online

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 18 Mar 2008, 17:58

    Raconteurs release surprise album



    The Raconteurs are to rush out their new album, Consolers of the Lonely, in just a week's time.

    The LP will be released simultaneously on vinyl, CD and digitally across the world on 25 March.

    In an attempt to stop the album being leaked, the band have also chosen not to send review copies to music journalists.

    On their official website, the band, led by White Stripes frontman Jack White, explain they would "rather the release not be defined by its first week sales, pre-release promotion or by someone defining it for you before you get to hear it."

    Criticism of iTunes

    The Raconteurs are also the latest band to criticise sites like iTunes for selling individual album tracks.

    The band say they "prefer fans buy the album as a whole rather than breaking up the tracks."

    The statement reads: "Until iTunes and other digital services allow bands to release their albums with the option of not breaking it up, it will be sold in that fashion on those sites."

    The Raconteurs are not the first band to express concerns over the future of the album format.

    Speaking to Newsbeat, Elbow singer Guy Garvey agreed: "I think it should be up to the artist how their music is sold.

    "We're an album band and we'd like to sell our album as one thing rather than breaking it up into small chunks.

    "I suppose it's the difference between a collection of short stories or a novel with chapters."

    In contrast, Muse recently suggested they may quit the album format in favour of releasing single tracks.

    Last summer, Irish rockers Ash announced they were not going to release any more albums to focus on individual tracks.


    Source: BBC Newsbeat

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 19 Mar 2008, 12:33

    Sci/Tech: Apple in talks with music companies - unlimited play iPods?

    Apple is in discussions with the big music companies about a radical new business model that would give customers free access to its entire iTunes music library in exchange for paying a premium for its iPod and iPhone devices.

    The “all you can eat” model, a replica of Nokia’s “comes with music” deal with Universal Music last December, could provide the struggling recorded music industry with a much-needed fillip, and drive demand for a new generation of Apple’s hardware.

    Apple would not comment on the plan, but executives familiar with the negotiations said they hinged on a dispute over the price the computer maker would be willing to pay for access to the labels’ libraries.

    Nokia is understood to be offering almost $80 per handset to music industry partners, to be divided according to their share of the market. However, Apple has so far offered only about $20 per device, two executives said. “It’s who blinks first, and whether or not anyone does blink,” one executive said.

    Detailed market research has shown strong appetite among consumers for deals bundling music in with the cost of the device, or in exchange for a monthly subscription, executives said.

    One executive said the research had shown that consumers would pay a premium of up to $100 for unlimited access to music for the lifetime of the device, or a monthly fee of $7-$8 for a subscription model.

    Apple, which is thought to make relatively little money from the iTunes store compared with its hardware sales, is also understood to be examining a subscription model.

    Subscriptions would work only for its iPhone devices, where it has a monthly billing relationship with customers through the mobile phone operators offering the device, while the “comes with music” model would work with iPhones and with iPods.

    The subscription models under discussion in the music industry include the provision for customers to keep up to 40 or 50 tracks a year, which they would retain even if they changed their device or their subscription lapses.

    Other music groups are understood to be in talks with Nokia, which is keen to sign up as many of the major labels as possible before launching its first “comes with music” devices in the second half of this year.


    Source: Financial Times

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 19 Mar 2008, 16:40

    Gnarls Barkley rush out new album



    Dance duo Gnarls Barkley have surprised fans by launching their new album on iTunes weeks ahead of schedule.

    Called The Odd Couple, it was available for download in the US on Tuesday. It was supposed to be released on 8 April.

    The CD is due to hit US shop shelves on 25 March, a day after the digital version becomes available in the UK.

    The news comes shortly after rock group The Raconteurs announced they were to rush out their album next week, after recording sessions finished on 1 March.

    MySpace 'event'

    On their website, Gnarls Barkley said they felt "the timing was right just to go for it".

    "With the shifting seasons, furtive romantic entanglements and fierce college basketball rivalries, the latter half of March can be confusing. People need to be soothed and inspired now."

    A less poetic reason for the early release could be the threat of internet piracy - several songs from the record have already appeared online.

    The Odd Couple is Gnarl Barkley's follow-up to St Elsewhere, the 2006 album which was a UK number one and included the hit single Crazy.

    It will reach UK record stores on 31 March.

    The duo will mount a short tour in support of the album, but their record company told US magazine Billboard they were also planning "something globally with MySpace that has never been done before".

    The Raconteurs, led by White Stripes frontman Jack White, took the decision to release their new album Consolers of the Lonely online - as well as on vinyl and CD - earlier this week.

    "The purpose: To get the album to the fans as soon as possible and as we promised," the band said in a statement.

    "We wanted to get this record to fans, the press, radio, etc, all at the exact same time so that no one has an upper hand on anyone else regarding it's availability, reception or perception."


    MySpace

    Source: BBC News


    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 20 Mar 2008, 00:45

    Exposure: Royworld

    Royworld - Man In The Machine

    I was going to leave this in Next Big Things - NBTs, but I seem to want to listen to it every day at least once. I don't know what it is that's making it so horribly addictive. I can't put my finger on it. I'm not sure I agree with the blurb that it's up there with Video Killed The Radio Star, but whatever it is, it's got me wanting to make the effort to go to their MySpace and obsessively press play.

    And the name! I spotted on their upcoming events they're doing a tour of libraries! Proper geeky nerds. Like it.

    MySpace

    Man In The Machine was released as a 7" single on 3 March. The new album of the same name is due 2nd June and is available for pre-order from Amazon.


    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 20 Mar 2008, 19:39

    Sci/Tech: Limewire launches DRM-free store

    Limewire has launched a DRM-free music store, which will attempt to lure money from those users who might otherwise download pirated copies.

    Limewire will display a button next to each track on its P2P application, allowing users to buy that song via its own store. Files will be stored centrally on the company's servers, rather than being distributed over P2P.

    As well as the application button, users will be able to buy tracks from Limewire's new online store. The company will be offering tracks for 99 cents each, but those who choose to sign up for a monthly subscription can lower this cost.

    Three different monthly payments are available; silver, gold and platinum at $10 per month and 40 cents per track, $15 per month and 30 cents per track and $20 per month and 27 cents per track respectively.

    Until now Limewire, based in New York, has earned revenue from selling the professional version of its open-source P2P filesharing application.

    Its recent move into DRM-free music downloads is one of a recent flurry attempting to capture the market for freely usable music files.

    We7, 7 Digital and Play have all launched DRM-free stores in recent months, although none have had the backing of all four major music labels.

    Amazon has this support, but currently only offers DRM-free downloads in the US. It has announced that it plans to launch the service internationally, but has disclosed no details on exactly when.


    Source: PC Pro

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 21 Mar 2008, 11:53

    Entertainment: BBC will risk Jools stars going live

    The combination of rock stars and live television can be combustible but the BBC is looking to take a big gamble by broadcasting its big music show live for the first time.

    Despite its party atmosphere, Later . . . with Jools Holland, a BBC Two fixture for 15 years, is recorded days before its Friday evening broadcast.

    With Top of the Pops and The Old Grey Whistle Test now consigned to the archives, a breakthrough performance on Later . . . has become the most effective way to catapult performers such as KT Tunstall to stardom.

    Viewers complained when it emerged that the New Year’s Eve Later. . . was recorded weeks in advance. A show that promises “live music” should be broadcast live, like its famous predecessors, they said.

    BBC bosses have decided that from next month, Later. . . will move to a 10pm slot on Tuesdays, and be broadcast live. The move is causing nervousness among stars and at the broadcaster.

    A source said: “Big American stars are nervous that something could go wrong on live television and it will be all over YouTube. But live TV gives a music show a real edge.” Previously, a technical fault or duff note could be corrected by another take.

    Despite the surface bonhomie, artists see the show as a competitive fixture. Mark Cooper, the BBC’s head of musical entertainment, said: “Putting people in a room together makes them play better: someone observed that it is ‘communal but gladiatorial’.” Going live adds extra spice to the musical one-upmanship.

    For the BBC, the danger is that any artist seeking cheap publicity or a soap box could hijack the airwaves in the slot before Newsnight.

    A torrent of abuse on live television secured the Sex Pistols’ legend and anarchic incidents on shows such as The Word and TFI Friday confirmed the danger of letting musicians off the leash. Even Holland, the presenter whose fourletter slip once caused Channel 4’s The Tube to be suspended, must mind his language.

    The first live show features a rare performance by the Only Ones, a 1970s punk group famed for their sole hit, Another Girl Another Planet. Singer Peter Perrett once fled the US to avoid an arrest warrant on charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, and also admits he has been a drug addict for nearly 30 years.

    The producers are on safer ground with Adele, the teenage soul-jazz singer, who has also accepted the live challenge. Adele was invited on Later . . . last year, on the strength of a demo tape and has now become a chart-topping star.

    Gnarls Barkley and the singer-songwriter James Taylor also appear on the live debut on April 1, with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss and Portishead to follow.

    The cameras will continue to roll during Newsnight on Tuesdays for an extended hour-long Later . . . which will then be shown on BBC Two on Friday nights as before.


    Source: Times Online

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 24 Mar 2008, 19:28

    Video: Portishead - Machine Gun

    Video for the first single from Portishead - Third.

    Machine Gun

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 24 Mar 2008, 21:19

    Video: Gnarls Barkley - Run

    Lovely retro 60s pop from Gnarls Barkley. New single, Run.

    Video

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 26 Mar 2008, 00:09

    Visage - The Anvil

    I can't believe Visage's The Anvil has just been re-released. Hot on the heels of Gary Numan's Replicas re-issue, I'm ecstatic. Two excellent, excellent albums.

    Two of my favourites from The Anvil:

    The Anvil (not really a video, but sound is good)

    The Damned Don't Cry

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 26 Mar 2008, 01:45

    Tea Break: Orange Juice - Rip It Up

    One of the best. Everything Edwyn Collins has done has been worth watching. He shone from the start.

    Orange Juice - Rip It Up

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 26 Mar 2008, 01:50

    Tea Break: Teardrop Explodes - Reward

    Another shining star, Julian Cope, when he was with Teardrop Explodes. I still sing "Bless my cotton socks / I'm in the nude", even though I know it's wrong! Well respected in the arts now and runs an excellent website - http://www.headheritage.co.uk/

    Reward

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 26 Mar 2008, 21:18

    Exposure: Evangelista

    Amazon UK

    Evangelista is the name of Carla Bozulich’s new band.

    If the tracks on their MySpace are the best from the new album, Hello, Voyager, then my opinion is it's not as good as her own, earlier work. However, in terms of career-watching, I thought she should be added here.


    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 26 Mar 2008, 21:26

    Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid

    I love it. Mirrorball is outstanding.

    Artist: Elbow
    Album: The Seldom Seen Kid
    MySpace

    Not a video, just an upload of Mirrorball.

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 26 Mar 2008, 22:21

    Exposure: Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill

    Amazon UK

    The collaboration between Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill on their album Welcome Here Again is winning exceptional praise for "redefining traditional music without compromising its essential nature". The Sunday Times says it's the Celtic Kind of Blue. Comparisons with Miles Davis and others such as Steve Reich are down to Hayes/Cahill bending and breaking the rules as far as they can with Irish music. There's a great critique here.

    Green Linnet has a free download of P. Joe's Reel mp3, where you can also hear 30sec samples of all the tracks.

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 26 Mar 2008, 22:40

    Howard Alden, Ken Peplowski - Pow Wow



    Howard Alden, Ken Peplowski - Pow Wow

    Jazz. Niiiice.

    Tagged 'my gang 08' to appear in our radio.

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 26 Mar 2008, 23:04

    Exposure: Sonny J

    You might remember Can't Stop Moving, which became a bit of a cult hit last year. It was by Sonny J, the Banksy of the music world (and doing better than Burial at keeping his identity obscure!), who is back with a new track - Enfant Terrible. Hear it in full on his Myspace. His album, Disastro, will be released in the summer. The style is a mash up of our childhoods, half-remembered television shows and summer parties.


    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 26 Mar 2008, 23:46

    Exposure: DELS

    I like the new single and B-side by DELS, Lazy and Myself Malfunction, both produced by Hot Chip. Listen in full on his MySpace. London hip-hop, grime.


    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 27 Mar 2008, 00:20

    Exposure: DeVotchKa

    Amazon UK

    Love at first listen! Devotchka are going to define 2008 for me, or spring at least anyway. Everything I like and more. Think Calexico, Gogol Bordello, Arcade Fire all rolled into one.

    They have uploaded their new album, A Mad And Faithful Telling, in full on their MySpace. Can't wait for it to appear in Last.fm so I can tag it.


    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 29 Mar 2008, 17:32

    Exposure: Barb Jungr

    Amazon UK

    Artist: Barb Jungr
    Album: Just Like A Woman (Hymn To Nina)
    Tags: , , , R&B

    The charm here likes completely and utterly in her voice. It's not perfect and a bit thin, there are many many better singers in the world, but sometimes I don't want perfection, I want a human being. There isn't a single bum note, just her voice without too many instruments overwhelming her.

    There are no tracks available in Last.fm yet so I've listened to everything on her MySpace. A perfect accompaniment to an afternoon slump. 'Angel of the Morning' is a guilty pleasure of mine anyway and I really enjoyed her version of it. Slower, a little darker and more thoughtful. I've never heard 'Lilac Wine' sung the way she sings it either. I look forward to Last.fm uploading the new album so I can hear more.

    Long black limousine, taken from Love Me Tender (2007)

    • Babs_05 said...
    • Forum Moderator
    • 29 Mar 2008, 18:43

    Exposure: Merz

    Last.fm

    Artist: Merz
    Album: Moi et Mon Camion*
    Tags: , , , ,

    I recommended Silver Moon Ladders from this album recently. 'Moi et Mon Camion' is already starting to win top notch reviews and looks set to be one of the albums of 2008. It's tagged 'my gang 08' for our radio.

    MySpace

    Video - Presume Too Much

    * I don't know why Last.fm has the album down as by 'various artists'.

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