iTunes, Apple’s quasi ubiquitous music software application and download store is having a competition to celebrate the downloading of the 10 Billionth track. The catchily named “Countdown to 10 Billion Songs” contest, will see one lucky winner – the person who downloads that golden 10 billionth track – scooping up a $10,000 iTunes gift card. In the run up to the competition, Apple has also cobbled together a special album download entitled “Most Downloaded iTunes Songs of All Time,” (obviously, Apple spends more time on designing products than coming up with these names…), which compiles the 25 most downloaded tracks since the store’s inception in 2003. To put you out of your misery, here were the laureates: the Black Eyed Peas grabbed both Number One and Three most downloaded tracks with I Gotta Feeling and Boom Boom Pow; Poker Face by Lady Gaga crashing in at Number Two. The accolade for most recent song went to Ke$ha’s TiK ToK, which came in 10th, and Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’, the oldest most downloaded song at Number 21. Personally, I would’ve liked to know what was, for example, the most downloaded song for the purposes of playing in Wal-Mart, or in ice-cream parlors, but then that’s just me I guess. May the winner spend the voucher wisely!
The Archives
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Bits & Pieces
Final Installment of Johnny Cash American Recordings to see Release on Late Singer’s Birthday
01.13.10Signing Johnny Cash in 1993 after his short and unhappy stint with Mercury records, producer Rick Rubin has been widely credited with the 11th hour resurrection of the career of one of America’s most respected performers of the 20th century. The sheer wealth of material that the American Recordings sessions led to, and Rubin’s inspired idea to have Cash cover a variety of contemporary artists’ songs, led to a renewed popularity for the singer, as well as introducing a new generation of fans to his work. Cash’s collaboration with Rubin resulted in four albums that would come out before his eventual death from diabetes related illness in 2003, and one posthumously. The final volume, American VI: Ain’t No Grave, will be released February 26th by American/Lost Highway, on what would have been the singer’s 78th birthday. In keeping with the previous volumes, American VI features Cash covering the songs of other songwriters including that of Kris Kristoferson, his one time band mate, and an interesting rendition of Queen Lili’uokalani’s of Hawaii’s Aloha Oe.
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Bits & Pieces
Singer Lhasa de Sela Passes Away at her Montreal Home
01.04.10Just prior to the toll of midnight on January 1st, 2010, singer Lhasa de Sela lost a twenty-one month battle with breast cancer. With all three of her albums together selling over a million copies world-wide the renowned and unique voiced chanteuse found her way into the global arena in ’97 with La Llorona, then The Living Road in 2003 and finally her self-titled effort in 2009. Born on September 27, 1972, in Big Indian, New York, Lhasa was said to be the embodiment of grace, beauty and humor, while infecting the masses with her exceptional characteristics. Long time confidante Jules Beckman commented, “We have always heard something ancestral coming through her. She has always spoken from the threshold between the worlds, outside of time. She has always sung of human tragedy and triumph, estrangement and seeking with a witness’s wisdom. She has placed her life at the feet of the Unseen.” R.I.P. Lhasa de Sela.
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Bits & Pieces
Gregory Slay of Remy Zero Fame Dies at 40
01.04.10Cystic Fibrosis has claimed the life of former Remy Zero drummer Gregory Slay, who has sadly passed away on New Year’s Day. The 40-year-old beat keeper had suffered from the disease throughout his entire life, while still managing to enjoy achievement with the Birmingham born band that found quick success scoring an opening spot on Radiohead’s The Bends tour. Following the band’s end in 2003, Slay continued to explore personal projects such as Sleepwell, the theme song for Nip/Tuck, which has since been Emmy nominated, and recent exploits with Alabama native Eliot Morris. Gregory Slay will be missed by his mourning peers… R.I.P.
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Bits & Pieces
Jack White To Produce Wanda Jackson LP
11.16.09It seems impossible to avoid hearing about Jack White these days. Snubbing Slash’s invitation to duet, releasing wildly exclusive vinyl through Third Man, helming three bands and now producing Wanda Jackson’s new LP. The 72-year-old sassy septuagenarian belle has worked with some pretty cool collaborators over the years. Her 2003 album Heart Trouble had Elvis Costello and The Cramps pitching in, as well as having a thing with Elvis Presley for a while. Jackson has some idea of what White is capable of, but she seems eager to push herself (and I’d wager her producer) to create something exciting. Jackson mentions the work that Jack White and Loretta Lynn did together on Lynn’s Van Lear Rose (2004): “They had a super album, but he didn’t have her do anything different. She just did her little Loretta Lynn songs. But he told me he’s gonna stretch me some, so we’ll see.” I’m keeping my eye on this, because if there is one thing that is guaranteed to be exciting, it’s watching a rockabilly/country/rock living legend like Wanda Jackson rise to a challenge.
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Bits & Pieces
The Simpsons Mastermind Matt Groening to Supervise UK ATP
10.13.09The Simpsons creator Matt Groening has been officially revealed as one of the curators of next year’s All Tomorrow’s Parties (ATP). Between May 7th and 9th the famous animator will head the first ATP event at Butlins in Minhead. Groening was at the wheel of the Long Beach ATP in the US in 2003 featuring performers !!!, Cat Power, The Shins and Sonic Youth. Pavement have already confirmed that they will be in charge for the second ATP weekender between May 14th and 16th 2010. Tickets for Groening’s weekender go on sale October 16th, even though there are no confirmed acts.
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CD Reviews
The Raveonettes – In and Out of Control
10.11.09My introduction to The Raveonettes came during an extended drive through New England. An over-enthusiastic driver notched three speeding tickets in the first three days of the tour. We played Cops on Our Tail from 2003’s Whip It On far too often, and The Raveonettes and I became acquainted. Since then I’ve been blown away by Chain Gang of Love (2003), and satisfied by Pretty in Black (2005). Lust Lust Lust was great to me, and demonstrated how a band can continue to put out solid offerings without getting repetitive or stale. Now The Raveonettes have added another entry to their discography, with the recently released In and Out of Control. (more…)
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Bits & Pieces
New Album Coming from Kraftwerk
10.07.09Kraftwerk’s The Catalogue, an eight-disk box set, due out November 17th via EMI, is not enough for the German electronic group. They are currently working on the follow up LP to 2003’s release of the Tour de France Soundtracks. This will mark the first album without co-founder Florian Schneider, who parted ways with the group in early 2009. Ralf Hutter, speaking for the rest of the band said, “It’s still very early. It’s still in its embryonic stage.” So, the album is growing, and maybe in a couple of Christmases there will be a nine disk box set to hide under the tree.
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Bits & Pieces
TLC Reunites For The First Time In Six Years
08.25.0990s R&B hip hoppers TLC will come together for the annual Justin Timberlake and Friends Concert at the Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center on October 17th. This marks the first time remaining members Rozonda ‘’Chilli’’ Thomas and Tionne ‘’T-Boz’’ Watkins will perform together since the tragic death of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes due to a car accident in 2002. Although the pair performed together one last time in 2003 for New York radio giants Z100, this will be the first full on stage performance since Lopes’ passing. TLC made major charting waves in the 90s with such hits as Waterfalls, Creep and No Scrubs, climbing their way to the top of a successful ladder. Proceeds from the J.T. rigged event will go to the Shriners Hospital for Children, with the evening boasting performances from Timberlake himself as well as Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift and Ciara.
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Bits & Pieces
Blur’s Alex James Makes Cheese For Prince Charles?
07.17.09Everyone needs some good cheese in their lives and by god Alex James of Blur is gonna be the one to give it to them. After striking a deal with Prince Charles, James has been asked by the estate managers at Highgrove House to process a half a million litres of organic milk into what will ostensibly become royal cheese. The affordable cheese will be distributed through the Duchy of Cornwall with James describing the fromage saying, “It will be the poshest cheese in the world but it’s only going to cost £3. I think everyone should be able to afford royal cheese.” The Prince of Wales’ spokesman said “Duchy Originals is delighted to be working with Alex James, one of Britain’s most exciting and passionate new cheese makers, to produce a cheese using the milk from the herd of Ayrshire cows on the Duchy Home Farm.” This whole stinky project may seem a little unorthodox but actually very logical; following Blur’s 2003 hiatus Alex James not only closely focused on farming but has also garnered awards for his great cheese. WTF?
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Bits & Pieces
Jack White Appears in Mutant Swinger From Mars
07.01.09As if superman Jack White wasn’t already cooler than you, he pops back up with yet another project that is sure to keep the cultish idolization a comin’. Playing the wisecracking Mikey for a B-grade scrapper entitled Mutant Swinger From Mars, White, albeit briefly, appears in the film as a younger version of his dashing self. The film, which wrapped in 1998, had been showcased with an ‘in-process’ preview in 2003 but is officially being released at this year’s Comic-Con in San Diego California, slated to run from July 23rd through to the 26th. Based on the trailer, the film is reminiscent of an air of Tim Burton’s 1996 Mars Attacks!, however seemingly accomplishes the low budget fameless look better than Burton’s, as it genuinely had very little money, and other than Jack, sports no one that would make you say, “Hey isn’t that…?”. Some rumors have even begun circulating that a new intro has been shot for the now greatly anticipated premiere; however the rumors have thus far remained just that. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again… Jack White for President!
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Bits & Pieces
Elliott Smith’s Car Is Up For Sale
06.25.09If any of you have been trolling the Austin area craigslist for a ‘new’ used car than you may have come across an ad for a 1999 Volkswagen Passat with a sticker price of $4000. Good news is it’s a steal of a deal; bad news is it may not stick around long enough for you to scoop it up. The car belonged to renowned singer/songwriter Elliott Smith, who unfortunately passed away in 2003 following a battle with addiction and depression. Smith’s sister has decided to put the car up for sale and donate the proceeds to the SIMS Foundation, a non-profit organization that aids local Austin musicians with services for mental health and addiction recovery. So if you’re in search of a new ride and you need your wheels to be filled with the character of a thousand stories and memories, than Smith’s Passat may be the whip for you… And the money goes where it rightfully belongs.
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CD Reviews
Anti-Flag – The People Or The Gun
06.13.09
I once heard #2 utter the words, “If we don’t all do something who will?”, and although the reference was no doubt in relation to a dwindling political state and an unlawful rise of evil in the ranks of the powers that be, it also seemingly stands true with regards to Anti-Flag’s latest buzz blade of a release, The People Or The Gun; showcasing the Pittsburgh foursome amidst a mature mouth watering proclamation of the word of punk. (more…)
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Bits & Pieces
Falsetto Fellow Jeff Hanson Dies at 31
06.07.09Jeff Hanson of original M.I.J. fame and as of 2003, solo recognition, has passed away at his new apartment in St. Paul, Minnesota on June 5th 2009. With unclear details as to the exact cause of death, reports seem to place blame on a fall or another accident of like minded nature. Since 2003 the falsetto voiced Hanson had released three albums under Kill Rock Stars Records, the most recent being the revered Madam Owl which made it to shelves August of 2008. With an amazing track record of initially picking up a guitar at the age of four, and eventually sparking his first band (M.I.J.) at age thirteen, Hanson will be remembered as a notable contributor to the quilt of music. Hanson’s record label released a statement Saturday evening including the words, “Jeff Hanson was an amazing artist, a riotously funny person, and a good friend. Everyone at Kill Rock Stars feels that we were privileged to put out his records. We will miss him tremendously. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”
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CD Reviews
Rancid – Let The Dominoes Fall
06.06.09 -
Bits & Pieces
Phil Spector Is Headed To The Clink
04.14.09On February 3rd, 2003 Phil Spector’s limo driver placed a call to police reporting a dead body at the 68-year-old NYC producer’s Pyrenees Castle, in Alhambra, California. Spector had met the young Lana Clarkson at the House of Blues and after sharing a drink with Spector at his home, Clarkson was found shot in the mouth with the murder weapon left by her side. (more…)
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Bits & Pieces
Music In The Sun – Part 2 of 3
04.02.09Part 2 of our Music In The Sun series is all about the UK, a mecca for summer music festivals. If you thought last week’s US line-ups were killer, have a glance at the first-rate list below… Limp Bizkit, Neil Young, Blur and Faith No More will all take part in this summer’s kaleidoscope of entertainment.
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