Music: The Nasal-Friendly Addiction

So the only thing I can stand to write about now is music. My life is terribly uninteresting; if I was a paperback B & N would have dropped me in the bargain bin ages ago.

Music is my addiction. And if Hohan and Brit Brit's nasal activity can sell a few million tabloids, I figure my less scandalous drug of choice can attract a little notice. Until the day I'm taken to Promises or some place in the middle of who knows f*ck (Utah), I can support the habit. I'm sure they'll recognize the disorder in the DSM any day now.

If you haven't already experienced Radiohead's new album, In Rainbows, I really hope you are on crack. "Do more drugs Turtle. Seriously, do more drugs."
Because Radiohead doesn't work for "the man" anymore, they've made their new 10-track album a digital release, available for download off their website. Take the time to sluggishly move your index over a few clicks and download the album for next to nothing. Now. Not because Kid A or OK Computer were both radical masterpieces, or even because the genius that is Thom Yorke can make us uncomfortable with our existence in a few sparse but powerful lyrics. Buy this record because it marks the beginning of the end; the downfall for music as a corporation. Purchasing In Rainbows is like giving a huge middle finger to the record label execs who forced you to pay 13.99 for that shitty Beyonce cd. Offense intended B.
Lets face it, the world is full of pirated music. But is it any wonder we glorify pirates, or a lot of famous thieves for that matter? It's the whole stealing-from-the-rich-giving-to-the-poor element that hero Robin Hood advocated. I've always believed music, as a form of art, should be available to the culture it was created to enrich. Do musicians really want only a certain demographic to benefit from their music? Is that really why they got into the business - to make the .001 cents or whatever the figure is off each additional record they sell? If it is, they deserve to have your record downloaded. I know its your job, and you're trying to make a living but do it with a little integrity. Have a little respect for your fans. If you don't suck balls there are people willing to pay for your record and pay to come to your concerts. Start taking notes Keven Federline.

So Radiohead is the shit. Worldwide. They have enough credit in this business to make a radical move like this because their fans are willing to pay for their music. Up to about 80 bucks in fact for their exclusive box set. Well-known, popular artists like Oasis and Jamiroquai have already said they will follow suit, and release their new albums free to fans.

The success of In Rainbows may come with a price. That being a decline in physical album sales. Hosts of the amazing podcast and radio show, Chicago Public Radio's SoundOpinions, Jim and Greg talk about this potential problem. Check out this edition of the podcast here on their website, with a links to the streaming mp3 feed. However, yours truly doesn't see this as a problem. Not yet at least. Radiohead will release a copy of the cd in 2008, and I think more than a few fans will go out and buy another copy on record. Fuck you itunes, this is one exclusive you didn't get.

PS. Check out the two new playlists posted and "chosen" to be featured by FIQL. Also check out my FIQL page which has other amazing playlists, all but one selected by the website.
- For the Indie Lover in Love
- Wake Up; I Go to Sleep

Songs You Should be Listening to Today
Peter Bjorn and John - Let's Call it Off
Lily Allen - Naive (Kooks Cover)
Aesop Rock - Water
Afrikan Boy - Marching Riddim Re-Birth
Stars - Heart

Album You Should Go Out and Buy
Boys Noize - Oi Oi Oi (Amazing!)