David Emery OnlineLast.fm: The Next Generation
I think the new version of Last.fm looks and feels a lot better then the outdated, slightly haphazard old one. The comments on this post are massively revealing, however – people really (really) don’t like change.
Visit ➔TechDouche
I couldn’t agree more. I am sick and tired of the continual ridiculous posts about music appearing on TechCrunch; I appreciate that Michael Arrington has a certain point of view on the topic, but he obviously has absolutely no idea what he’s talking about.
Visit ➔Top five musical crimes perpetrated by record store customers in the 90s and 2000s
Pretty nicely sums up why I don’t like going in indie record stores. They should be some form of capitalist urban mecca to me, full of interest and discovery, but instead they’re intimidating and impenetrable.
Nonesuch Records
Nonesuch Records have just launched a new site, and very good it is too – really love the clarity of information (that is so often missed on record label sites). While I’m at it, take a look at the new Domino Records site – the design is maybe not quite as nice, but the use of colour is lovely and I particularly like the user controlled ‘status’ at the top.
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National Assn. of Recording Merchandisers Urges Release Date Parity
“Err, hi guys. You seem to be screwing up our business model (even though consumers obviously like it) – could you stop please? Pretty please?”
I also particularly like the phrase “…we are opening the door for chaos in the marketplace”.
Visit ➔Reflection: the national on the big stage
While we’re on the topic of long-form music writing, have a read of this great piece charting the (eventual) rise of The National. It’s an interesting read, and brings up some interesting thoughts about the consumption of digital music and the subsequent consequences in the comments.
Incidentally, The National for me are the very definition of a ‘grower’ band; every album they’ve done so far on first listen has sounded slightly dull – it’s only a month (or two or three) later that I realise just how brilliant it is. For reference, that is very fucking brilliant.
Visit ➔Is The BBC The Enemy Of Hip Hop?
A very worthwhile read on the state of racial segregation on UK public radio today. The concept of 1xtra and things like the Mobo Awards has always sat uncomfortably with me (their very being is basically based on racist thinking), and it’s good to see I’m not alone in that.
Also, it’s also well worth checking out www.thequietus.com in more depth – it’s fast becoming my favourite music blog as it has a very refreshing focus on actual writing and journalism, as opposed to the up-to-the-minute news slant that most music sites take.
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