I am currently hanging out at a friend's house, and she has Rhapsody, and here's what I have to say about that: in addition to being much, much faster than I would expect anything associated with RealPlayer to be , they have this great radio station function where you put in five (to ten, but five seems to work) artists you like and it produces a random-play radio station based on them. So, for instance, I put in a radio station with Motley Crue, the Pixies, PJ Harvey, and some other folks, and they give you pretty much exactly what you want--some great Motley songs, some louder indie songs, and a random selection of other stuff. (A previous station of the Fiery Furnaces, Annie, Kelly Clarkson, and Julez Santana produced more questionable results, but I attribute that more to the Clarkson having an inconsistent catalog than anything else.)

At any rate, I know I've been neglecting you all, but hell, it's the summer, and I should have some actual written content throughout the week, lord willing.
posted by Mike B. at 1:35 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Currently I'm going through a bunch of indie promo invoices from the last month or so, and on the bottom of one I see the following notice, a notice which, I might add, was not there the last time I went through these invoices.

It reads:

Notice:Nothing of value was given to a radio station or radio station employee in exchange for airplay.

Well, pshew, that's a relief.

It's a bit reminiscent of those "this software is being provided for evaluation purposes only" notices you'd find back when (um) our friends (um) used to download warez. Except I wasn't sitting in a cubicle until 8 at night doing hand-entry for warez. Thank god--most of those file_id.diz writers couldn't grammatate for shit.

posted by Mike B. at 6:18 PM 0 comments

The aforementioned Hard-Fi review is now up at Flagpole, along with four (4!) Hillary-penned reviews. I think mine would have been better if I wasn't quite so horrified.

I listened to the Moldy Peaches CD this morning for the first time in at least a year. It's still one of the best.

posted by Mike B. at 10:51 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Like I said. Yeah, Mick, I'm sure Keith is shaking in his boots, but I don't think from fear.

posted by Mike B. at 6:03 PM 0 comments

Monday, August 08, 2005

It's always nice when you want to comment on an article you wrote that hasn't come out yet, but then you check and it has come out.

So: here is my Electric 6 review. Some of it is kinda nebulous, but the first paragraph is strong, although I say something that I realize may be controversial. I have lots more to say about it, but for now, if you are doubting me, let me just remind you about shit like this.

ADDENDUM: Also, Dick Valentine on Rock Star: INXS, a show which I've been remiss in not commenting upon, to say nothing of RU The Girl.

posted by Mike B. at 10:45 AM 0 comments