There's A Web Sheriff In Town

So after posting the now-inactive link to "Old Enough", one of the better songs on the new album from The Raconteurs I received the below letter via email this morning.

Let's consider this for a second: the rights holders, XL&WB records in this case, want to STOP word of mouth on this record. Word of mouth of course, being the single most important thing any product, not just musical, can hope to generate. What's even more insane is that, presuming that this Sheriff doesn't render his services for free, they're incurring expense to do so!! Literally, spending money to kill off potential for new money to come through the door.

The hardest yet most vital thing to do for any musician is to get your music heard. Sure, "Salute Your Solution" is available on the band's website, but what if people who want to spread the word about other songs? The record has been out for 2 weeks already. Further, I thought the whole idea of the rush to release this record (Jack's, not the labels, from what I read in the press) was done to bypass traditional 'set-up' tactics? In today's environment where there is so much music available and nobody is listening to radio, what significance does the "single" really have anyways?

I could go on and on here, but this neither the first nor last cease-and-desist letter to be sent on behalf of major music labels. I just find it crazy how they continue to use their resources. Given all the promotional possibilities of the web, why limit themselves to :30 clips on artist sites, iTunes or wherever? These simply do not work.

Anyways, this is not what this blog is meant to be about but I just wanted to expose something that's truly extraordinary. I'm skeptical of the claim that this is also the "artists wishes" and won't let it hamper the way I feel about the band, though I could see how this would piss off some fans. I was honestly going to post about another track today, one that I'm actually liking even more, but in light of all this you're going to have to find a way to listen to "These Stones Will Shout". An incredible, energetic tune with some of the best changes I've heard in a long while. If you're still interested at this point, do check it out...



WITHOUT PREJUDICE

Hi FM,

On behalf of XL Recordings and Warner Bros Records, we would kindly ask you not to post copies of "Consolers Of The Lonely" on your site (or any individual tracks from The Ranconteurs' newly released album - release date 25th March).

We do appreciate that you are fans of / are promoting The Ranconteurs, but XL and Warners would greatly appreciate your co-operation in removing your links to the pirate files in question. If you’d like a good quality, non-pirated, preview clip, a widget of the promo video for “Salute Your Solution” is available for you to embed at http://www.theraconteurs.com/widget.html .

Many thanks for respecting the artist's and label's wishes.

As you will appreciate, this e-mail is written on a without prejudice basis and, as such, all of our clients' accumulated, worldwide rights and remedies remain strictly reserved : please excuse this required formality.

Regards,

WEB SHERIFF
Protecting Your Rights on the Internet
Tel 44-(0)208-3238013
Fax 44-(0)208-3238080
websheriff@websheriff.com
www.websheriff.com

The Raconteurs

Reason #1 why you should buy the new Raconteurs album, CONSOLERS OF THE LONELY: track4, "Old Enough".

Masterful. Jack and his southern-boy side band are all over the place, throwing all the ingredients of 70's rock and country in the punchbowl and serving up something that's got plenty of bite.

Keep's getting better with every listen. There's some great new music out there people.....

Apple Now the Biggest Music Retailer in US

Pretty interesting story released today that illustrates the increasing demise of the CD in the US. At the end of 2007 when Tower Records and all other traditional record stores had closed their doors, Walmart was the top purveyor of recorded music. However in a report just released by the NPD group, iTunes has now surpassed them in total sales during Jan & Feb of this year, which of course consist of digital content only.

Incredible.

R.E.M. - New Album Drop Today

Have to say I've always enjoyed R.E.M.
If you think about what makes an artist truly classic, the consistent output of great material is among the chief criteria, and they've always had at least a couple great songs on every album they've made. Beyond that they simply deserve props for the longevity and for keeping themselves together for over 20 years.

I'd been noticing a lot of press on the new album, ACCELERATE, and as I started listening it appears they've haven't lost steam. The 1st single "Supernatural Superserious" is wicked combination of pop and rock, something they've always excelled at. Radio stations would have loved this kind of song back in the 90's, but now I'm not sure where you'll hear it if you're not online.
A strong recommend here. Enjoy.

The Weight

Looking very forward to the release of SHINE A LIGHT this weekend and was viewing Martin Scorsese's earlier music documentary THE LAST WALTZ, widely acknowledged as the best live music doc ever made. We'll see what challenge this new flick poses this weekend, but if you've never seen this incredible chronicling of The Band's final show in 1978 I urge you to seek this out and discover this insanely good film.

Rolling Stones - Shine A Light

Stream the soundtrack to this flick, opening next Friday, at IMEEM.

Well It's All-Right!

Got around to picking up the Traveling Wilburys Collection, which came out last year.
Do you know this record debuted at #1 on the UK album charts last September, with no promotion or tour, 17 years after the band ever recorded anything?
Revisiting the material, it's really no surprise. Apart from "Handle Me With Care" which I've always had a soft spot for, I'd forgotten how special this band was. I mean, come on, Dylan, Harrison, Orbison and Petty, all in one group??!!

Spinning through the album I came upon "End Of The Line" and have been playing constantly over the last 2 days. You've gotta be shitting me with this tune! And the videol!! Imagine being in this traincar, rolling along the country side with these legends. And how about the soft tribute to Roy, who had passed away before the video was shot? The photo, the upright guitar on the rocking chair, UNREAL!! And to top it off, a glimpse of Bob Dylan smiling towards the end, something he hasn't seemed to have done since he unplugged in the 60's.
An absolutely priceless song, and there's many more. I can't recommend this album enough.

Jack Johnson Does It Again

I've really enjoyed Jack Johnson's previous 3 albums, I mean how can you not appreciate the mellow vibes and good-time sensibility. Last week I picked up the new album, SLEEP THROUGH THE STATIC, started to explore but wasn't really blown away at first. Until last weekend, when I heard "Go On".
Somehow he finds a way to deliver 1 or 2 songs on each album that are truly exceptional, hitting you hard both musically and lyrically and giving you that incredibly powerful feel. So simple, so good...I've been playing this over and over and over....

Fake Empire

This just in: The National is my new favorite band. I noticed their album BOXER on most Best of 2007 album lists last year and I finally caught up. Thanks to AM for the showcasing on this one... :)
A fantastic record.

Death Of The Anthem

Sitting at my 19th Bruce Springsteen show last nite and once again walking out amazed at the fireball show, I also couldn't help but notice the power that his classic songs still retain. Hits like "Promised Land", "Dancing in the Dark", and "Born to Run" literally had the entire 12,000 people in the venue on their feet shouting every word. I wondered, will we ever see this again? How many artists recently have written songs that everyone knows? Do marketing channels even exist anymore to attain universal recognition?

Really don't think so. That doesn't mean there's no great bands out there with solid material, but widespread appeal has seemed to have lost possibility. Think of some of your favorite songs within the last year - how many of your friends know them as well?

Shake!

"If you want to really roll, got to do the thing with soul..."

Feel like flying? I urge you to get your hand on the Live At Monterrey Pop DVD and forward to the Otis Redding segment. What a locomotive performance, very few people since can even touch this guy.

Warpaint

After almost 7 years, a new Black Crowes record hits the streets today. I remember darting out of work to hit Moby Disc in Santa Monica, CA to pick up LIONS, and plan to do the same thing at lunch today. Reviews on this album have been incredible and its days like this that bring back the excitement of being a music fan, waiting for your favorite band to put something new out, and counting down the days like a kid around Christmas.

Not many bands left that can build this kind of anticipation with their fans but when it comes to the undisputed best American rock-n-roll band out there, get ready to make your haze blow away.

The Hells Angels Tried To Kill Mick

This is wild.

Lost Stones Classic

Way back in the Rolling Stones catalog when they were really about interpreting the American blues sound, they did some incredible shit which was of course a early sign of their greatness.

Do you know "Hey Mona"? It will knock you out in one play. Enjoy.

U2-3D

Wow. Made it to see this yesterday in NYC and was completely blown away.
I own loads of concert DVDs and cherish them all, but nothing comes close to this experience inside the theater with this incredible technology. You spend the entire film feeling like you're right inside this stadium crowd and then on the stage with the band. But the best part is what's at the core - the classic U2 songs. The power and energy of them, just incredible. I still haven't gotten over "With Or Without You" at the end, experiencing the performance in this setting was extremely moving and reinforced why this is quite possibly one of the greatest songs ever written.

If this has made it to a theater near you, do not miss the chance to see this.

The World's Greatest Music Collection

For Sale: more than 3 MILLION records comprising the 'undisputed largest collection of recorded music in the world'.

I think a hang with this dude would be pretty interesting. Questions that come to mind include what he selects to play when he pulls chicks back to the vault, and how many Grateful Dead bootlegs might be included.

Guitar Hero Injuries

Came across this site - totally hilarious yet I can see how this happens.

You gamers out there be careful.

Isis

"A man in the corner approached me for a match
I knew right away he was not ordinary...."

How does he come up with this shit? Next time you find yourself digging through the Dylan canon pick don't miss this wild journey of a song, track 2 on DESIRE. You'll flip.

The Friday Deep-Cut

Bored with your music collection? The new stuff these days doesn't seem to grab you? If so, a brand new world awaits you. Get yourself to your store of choice and pick up the 2nd album from DIRE STRAITS. You know "Sultans Of Swing" from their debut album, but the material on the follow-up Communique is even better. After the killer opener "Once Upon A Time In The West" you'll come to a few tunes you'll play non-stop, this I guarantee. Standing out among these is the incredible "Portobello Belle". A quick glance online shows this song is actually a huge fan favorite. Although no official video was ever released, check out this dude's compilation below and enjoy.

A bona-fide, effing gem.

Old U2

What's your favorite era of U2? Achtung Baby seems to real turning point in their career, when they followed up one of the most classic albums ever made (with a film project thrown in between) and catapulted themselves into the stratosphere. Before that however they were a slick, pop-punk-ish quartet that stormed onto the musical scene with a series of aggressive yet anthemic tunes that audiences all over the world couldn't resist. I'm constantly going back and forth between these periods and although I LOVE the 90s-forward material I always enjoy the renewal from digging out their earlier stuff.

Old hits seem come and revisit you just when you may have forgotten about them. I've been playing October over the last few days after hearing "Gloria" while, I shit you not, riding a conveyor-belt transport through the inside of a ski mountain in Alta, Utah.
Great effing record. This week at least, I'm going with Old U2.
In Te Domine.