What's that Called?, the website that tracks music in US commercials now has a UK website, so you can find out what that snappy track was in the car ad on both sides of the Atlantic.
Almost a Ghost is "a study in Beckology," giving synopses of every Beck tune, notes on live performances and often lyrics as well.
Being There is a new online magazine dedicated to "music and film culture for the literary minded." Since it is named for both one of my favorite films and albums, I am already a fan (the Coen brothers and Stephin Merritt features were more persuasive, though).
RealNetworks starts a lame blog attacking Apple (not the first time RealNetworks and lame have been in the same sentence).
The Washington Post is lukewarm about the new Drive-By Truckers disc, and especially Patterson Hood. "Hood's tales of woe start to feel like a cliche on the Truckers' sixth effort, 'The Dirty South,' which will reach stores next week. Not only is this 70-minute album bogged down by his predictable songwriting, it continues the southern rock band's trend toward ballads. Fortunately, the Truckers' other two singer-songwriters, Mike Cooley and Jason Isbell, make contributions that salvage this rig."
The London News Review takes on Real's anti-Apple blog.
The Tennessean profiles Superdrag frontman John Davis as he goes solo.
The Age profiles Clotilde Dusoulier, who writes the exemplary food blog, Chocolate and Zucchini.
The Daily Trojan visits record stores, big and small, in the Los Angeles area.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer profiles Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer and artist Michel Cartellone.
The Minneapolis City Pages explore the city's early local hip-hop scene.
Posted by david on August 18, 2004I think you are lame when you attack real. We can choose whatever we want on our ipods. It is none of your business. This is just an opportunity to spot stupid Apple lovers and be aware of them.
Posted by: Jim on August 18, 2004 08:43 AMi'm not gonna get into the war about real's attempts to integrate itself into the ipod or calling apple out...
however, real has come around 180 degrees on their realplayer. they abandoned most of their nasty practices three versions or so ago, yet people still act like they're the most horrible company out there when they're the ONLY mainstream media company with digital rights management that is supporting linux.
i agree that the blog is pure propaganda, but hey. give real a break on it's behavior 5 years ago... they've grown up a lot.
Posted by: ned on August 18, 2004 10:11 AMI didn't realize the DRM support for Linux issue, Ned. My experience with Real in the past has been less than stellar, but I am willing to give them another shot. I use the player when i have to, but not if there are other options.
Posted by: david on August 18, 2004 10:22 AMi'm not sure of the exact nature of real's work with linux and the open source community, but they really do seem to be on the right path here and i think it's a good thing... remember 10 years ago when lotus and word-perfect were the best applications out there? you can't tell me that excel and word were better... they were just leveraged. i'd prefer to keep my applications separate from my os.
i'd suggest updating to the latest free realplayer if you haven't already. it's much faster and just in-general better...
Posted by: ned on August 18, 2004 11:07 AMMan, that Daily Trojan list is lame. Hear Music is an atrocious store; the only places mentioned on that list that are even worth going into are Amoeba and Aron's--the latter mostly for 'zines.
What is the world coming to that college students don't even know where to shop for records in a town with so many good places to go?
Posted by: Marleigh on August 18, 2004 11:59 AM