First: Why does there need to be a soundtrack to the show Heroes? Second: Why does it need to be the venue for the first new Jesus and Mary Chain song in nearly a decade? (Fast forward to the soundtrack’s release date, and in the distance, you can hear my pained scream as I see the words “album only” on its page at the iTunes Store.) Certainly there are exceptions to the rule (and most of those exceptions involve the letters H, B, and O), but in 2008, when disillusionment with the album format is at an all-time high, doesn’t it take some gall to release a full-priced soundtrack to a TV show, even if it does contain “an eclectic mix of cutting-edge and classic musical artists”?
I can’t pretend to speak for the entire staff of Idolator… contributors, editors, etc. At the end of the day, I’m just a guy who for some mysterious reason is given the occasional chance to comment on whatever comes up on Google News. However, I would like to take this opportunity on Monday, March 3, to apologize to the staff of the RIAA. Nearly anyone who has seen a computer in the last few years views your organization as a ridiculous enterprise working tirelessly to prosecute and harass music fans across the country. They’re all wrong, my lovely lawsuit-lovin’ friends; you’ve just been hurt, like we all have. Thank you, RIAA director of communications, Cara Duckworth. You’ve made me see the vulnerable hearts full of goodness hidden underneath those undoubtedly very expensive lawyer clothes.
One crappy video for your candidate of choice: Understandable. You’re enthusiastic, and for at least the moment, you can round up a few celebrities to talk over a eighth-rate beat. Who wouldn’t do the same in your shoes? But a second video? Now you’ve gone too far, pal.
If you’ve purchased a compact disc, well, ever, you’ve probably been upset by the high price of musical product. Don’t worry, music consumer! Wal-Mart’s going to use its leverage as the largest retailer of music to bring down prices–and maybe the entire music business in the process.
Apparently, last night was the premiere of That’s Amore, wherein a guy with the most ridiculously fake accent regularly featured on a television program in recent memory tries to find love or ratings or whatever. Really, MTV? Is this what it’s come to? Isn’t a wrestling match in a pool of spaghetti a little close to territory already covered by The Joe Schmo Show (a show whose comeback I would welcome, if anyone cares)?
Instead of dwelling on the negative, let’s focus on the slightly less negative. We’re all aware that music is out of the question, but what MTV programming currently in the channel’s dustbin division deserves a comeback, so as to spare viewers the sight of the guy pictured above sporting a Speedo?
When you wake up at six in the morning (right around the time the freaks in the living room get their stuff and leave) and roam the Web for news items to make pithy comments about, your sense of humor can be a bit compromised. So, when I saw an article titled “Johnson Steps Up Green Efforts On Tour”, the immediate options were either “homicidal rage” or “snappy blog post”. Guess which option won out, friend-o?
Nearly anyone associated with the business side of music reads “industry insider” Bob Lefsetz’s “Lefsetz Letter,” even though he’s frequently wrong, his opinions border on the absurd, and he spent a recent column defending Grand Funk Railroad. I’m sure he did something once to merit the “insider” tag, but with his most recent posting, it’s possible dear old Bob has gone totally nuts.
There are some days that you feel like there’s nothing right in the world. Rihanna telling People how hard it is to stay a size two? Some idiotic story about Mick Jagger being hunted by the Hell’s Angels? That whole Britney/Heidi thing? It’s hard to stay positive. Well, I’m happy to announce we’ve hit the absolute bottom: An album full of covers. By Everclear.
If you’re heading to SXSW next week, color me jealous-ish. Lots of bands, good. Long lines and tons of bloggers, bad. Nonetheless, may I offer a suggestion? Unless you enjoy tedious anti-war preaching from rock stars, avoid Stubbs on the 13th.
As previously covered in this corner of the internet, Idolator, as a site, has a bit of trouble staying objective with regards to the music of Norwegian pop star Annie. So, it probably surprises no one that we’re covering the MySpace debut of a new Annie track, “Girlfriend.”
