Star-Ledger Oct 31, 08 1:48 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Just in time for Halloween, Bruce Springsteen has released a song chronicling the life of the infamous Jersey Devil, the Star-Ledger reports. It's a free download on his website. In the accompanying video, Springsteen plays the part of the cloven-hoofed denizen of the Jersey Pine Barrens. “Sixteen witches cast 16 spells,” the Boss growls. “Make me a guitar out of skin and human skull."
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opinion
Portfolio Oct 20, 08 6:38 PM CDT
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Soon iPods will seem as outdated as Walkmans—the only question is whether iTunes goes out the door with them, Kevin Maney writes in Portfolio . Consider how old-fashioned the iPod already is: You pay for downloads, fill up a hard drive with them, and cart them around, "like keeping a cow so you can eat your favorite cheese." Now consider the alternative.
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MySpace Music enlists advertisers to enable free downloads
Wired Sep 15, 08 3:24 PM CDT
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The soon-to-launch MySpace Music service will consist mostly of sponsored streaming and downloads, Wired reports. MySpace will likely not start up its own pay-download service, along the lines of iTunes, instead maintaining its partnership with Amazon’s online store. Critics worry MySpace’s rather thin roster of major-label partnerships will limit the stream of free content for users.
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French first lady puts her new music online for free
Wall Street Journal Jul 10, 08 10:07 AM CDT
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If Coldplay and Radiohead can do it, then so can the first lady of France, reports the Wall Street Journal. Carla Bruni is inviting her fans to listen to up to 2 hours of her new album for free on her website. The album, which has sparked extreme interest among her husband's constituents, ranges from bluegrass to Bob Dylan-inspired.
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Feds looking into blogger's posting of material from long-awaited Chinese Democracy
Rolling Stone Jun 26, 08 11:04 AM CDT
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When Kevin Skwerl leaked nine new tracks from long-awaited Guns N’ Roses album Chinese Democracy last week, he expected some fallout. A visit from two “Mulder and Scully” types courtesy of the FBI was not quite what he had in mind, reports Rolling Stone . “It‘s a little creepy they know where I work, "says Skwerl, who posted tracks received from "an anonymous online source" on his blog.
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OPINION
Digital giveaway translates into hard cash for Nine Inch Nails frontman
Valleywag Jun 10, 08 8:00 PM CDT
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The music industry could learn a few things from Trent Reznor, whose decision to go independent and give away music digitally might earn him more money than sticking with a label—not to mention creative freedom, Jackson West writes on Valleywag. Labels are now starting to realize they need to move beyond traditional album sales, too.
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Uber-retailer plans to trim selection of artists, titles
Wall Street Journal Jun 9, 08 11:49 AM CDT
(Newser)
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As the country's leading brick-and-mortar CD seller, Wal-Mart occupies a special place in the music industry, earning perks like exclusive releases of CDs by bands like Journey and, soon, AC/DC. But with sales of physical CDs in freefall, even Wal-Mart is considering cutting the number of titles and artists its stores stock, reports the Wall Street Journal.
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'Unacceptable quality compromises' key move to improved downloads, CDs
USA Today Jun 4, 08 7:23 AM CDT
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Musicians dissatisfied with the sound of digital media are releasing albums as higher-quality downloads, on high-definition DVDs and even on vinyl, USA Today reports. Last year, Amazon and iTunes agreed to boost the quality of their MP3s, but some groups are using even better versions to eliminate what Neil Young calls "unacceptable quality compromises" made for CDs and the like.
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Judge says he gave faulty instructions
Associated Press May 16, 08 10:55 AM CDT
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The judge who presided over America's first music file-sharing trial might call for a do-over, the AP reports. A Minnesota mom was penalized $222,000 for illegal dowloads last fall, but the judge has since discovered that he may have issued faulty jury instructions. That's because a 1993 ruling said a copyright is broken only when copies are disseminated—and it doesn't appear proof of that was presented.
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Young goes digital
with complete archive, new material on interactive discs
Associated Press May 7, 08 11:52 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Fans of Neil Young will soon be able to buy his entire music archive on Blu-ray discs, the AP reports. The first 10-disc set, out this fall, will cover the prolific rocker’s career from 1963 to 1972 and will include some previously unreleased songs, videos, and handwritten manuscripts. Buyers will also be able to download more content to the discs on their own.
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Says frontman Trent Reznor, 'This one's on me'
Billboard May 5, 08 3:13 PM CDT
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Nine Inch Nails released its new album free of charge today, Billboard reports. In premiering The Slip online, frontman Trent Reznor wrote, “Thank you for your continued and loyal support over the years—this one’s on me.” The 10-track album will see CD and vinyl release in July, but in the meantime you can download the latest from the industrial legend gratis.
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Industry takes on huge world of downloads
Wall Street Journal Apr 7, 08 2:45 AM CDT
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Major record labels are suing two Chinese websites that allegedly allow illegal music downloads in a case that could have a huge impact on the way the Chinese obtain music. The groundbreaking multi-million dollar case over copyright infringement could pave the way for even larger claims, the Wall Street Journal reports. Spokesmen for the two websites insist they’re not responsible for content they don’t host.
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iTunes rise to the top a major milestone for the Internet
Los Angeles Times Apr 4, 08 12:38 PM CDT
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Apple has become America's No. 1 music retailer, the Los Angeles Times reports. The company said yesterday that its iTunes store had overtaken Wal-Mart for the first time. Analysts say its ascent to the top spot after just 5 years is a major milestone for the industry and the Internet.
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With her 18th No. 1, she moves into 2nd place behind Beatles
Los Angeles Times Apr 2, 08 7:46 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Mariah Carey unseated Elvis for the No. 2 spot in chart-topping songs this week. Her single "Touch My Body" became her 18th No. 1 and pushed Elvis into third place, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Beatles' all-time record of 20 remains, but Carey could eclipse the Fab Four by the end of summer.
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