And One Last Shocking News Item
 

Why would anyone want an artist-to-consumer model as the norm? Artists often are not good judges of the quality of their own work, and music in particular needs refining in production and post-production. And musicians, I would think, would typically prefer to be making music (or taking drugs or nailing groupies) rather than dealing with the nuts and bolts of music production and distribution.

RIAA's New Chief
 

I must have more faith in the free-market system than do you. If things are this bad, I have to believe that they won't JUST go after downloaders - they'll also work on their own business model to make it more palatable to consumers. There's no percentage, for them, in stopping downloading only to piss off their buyers by leaving them with the same system that disillusioned them to begin with.

Watch for very user-friendly single-song download services by membership, and a lower barrier to entry for the smaller music people. I think the new technology is only going to make life easier and more fun for the indies, as they sign up to be part of bigger online distribution groups.

RIAA's New Chief
 

I have very little faith in the music industry to do that. I think they hired this guy to help them get penalties increased for anyone who does stuff they don't like. Ideally, they will want stiff trade sanctions (e.g., no food for them!!! and prohibitively high tariffs on anything they export!!!) against any country in which any person has illegally duplicated any CD and sold the copies on the black market.

RIAA's New Chief
 

The RIAA has been leading the crackdown against independent manufacturers and underground music. Any enhanced lobby power will only serve UMG and hurt artists and indie labels.

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

This can't be your argument going forward, though. I'm sure a much more cost effective version of the music's version of Westlaw (hell, maybe Westlaw itself will do it) will evolve once file sharing and song releases from indie musicians mesh. I bet that however it evolves (legally or illegally), the new internet middle man will be cheaper and more efficient than what we have now.

As far as the larger stealing/not stealing argument goes, I think I'm the only one on this site that doesn't do it.

TM

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

Well, maybe you're the only one of this site who actually knows how to do it that doesn't do it. (I may possibly be the only one who on this site who doesn't know how to do it.)


d(Fashionably lo-tech)tb

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

No, you're not.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow is a Dunkin Donuts
 

Speaking of bad face-lifts...I saw an interview with Bing Crosby's wife last night as she was talking about Bing and Bob Hope. She has GOT to have the worst face lift ever! She's got the one where she looks totally surprised and it's pulled so tight she can't blink or smile. Sad.

In other news - your favorite guy BenFleck is wearing too much makeup.The L'Oreal guy Gotta love the creepy comment.

July 29 — Has Ben Affleck been dipping into the freebies at L’Oreal? The “Gigli” star and new face of L’Oreal cosmetics overseas hit the red carpet Sunday with fiancée Jennifer Lopez, and people in the crowd were buzzing that Affleck’s face seemed to be slathered in make-up. “IT LOOKED to me like he was wearing more foundation than Jennifer,” one onlooker tells The Scoop.
“It was an afternoon event, and in the sunlight especially, his face looked really orange. It was creepy. We kept expecting him to look into the camera and say, ‘Because I’m worth it.’”
When asked about his client’s make-up routine, a rep for Affleck said, “No, I don’t have a comment on the allegation that he was wearing a lot of makeup.”

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

No doubt. Once the music industry gets past this crisis stage, I think we'll see real progress in more consumer-friendly music distribution. But, right now, they're in panic stage - the betas of the next generation of P2P are out there, and they're damn near untraceable. If they don't shut it down now, their chance will be gone.

(And, yeah, in spite of my professed views, I DL. Mostly, I've DL'ed stuff I can't find anywhere anymore, or selected works suggested to me by others as a way to sample different types that I don't normally buy - but, still, I do it.)

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

I've never downloaded an MP3 or visited one of those file-sharing sites, although that's more out of apathy than anything else.

(I do think it's stealing, plain and simple. One can write thousands of words in an attempt to justify it, but that's a rationalization, not an excuse.)

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

Well, I had too old a computer to use napster until after it was shut down. So, I guess i'm in the TM/E-O/dtb group. Bilmore most assuredly is not.:D

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

Not Me. As we speak, I'm busy using my reel-to-reel to record my Mitch Miller 8-track collection.

RIAA's New Chief
 

ack!!! Ack!!!! ACK!!!!

In other words, I agree with Bilmore.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow is a Dunkin Donuts
 

Does anybody else think Wade (of "For Love or Money") bears a striking resemblance to Ben Affleck?

In other reality show news, I'm going to get to meet Chip (of Reichen and Chip) at a Yale networking event next month! I'll issue a full report here. Go Chip!

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

I never argued that producers should be canned. Of course, one needs a producer to create a good record. Producers are not the middle management people to whom I referred. I think there's a lot of fat to be cut in the industry if you adopt a model whereby the artist works with a producer and they cut the record electronically. I just read an article a little while ago from a large producer saying that he can pretty much do most of what a large studio can do with much smaller, cheaper electronic production machinery in his home, and technology progresses exponentially. Why not put the studio out of business? Each party who gets taken out of the equation leaves more for the remaining people.

If you get rid of the compact disc/tape/reord/whatever hard copy medium and switch to pure downloadable material you get rid of the stores, which gets rid of the distributors' fees, which gets rid of the plants, which gets rid of the union labor, which gets rid of the guy who sell the jewel cases, all of which eventually gets rid of a lot of middle management at all the companies involved. The process is streamlined - the consumer wins. Now the cost to society and the people eliminatedis another issue, but that's another debate.

I registered no gripe with radio - radio is so bad that its not worth talking about.

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

'scuse me, Mr. Holier than the Rest of You Shmucks. I've never pirated a file either. Not once.


Sidd(I did used to shoplift comic books, but that was ages ago)Finch

Band Names
 

Apropos of the now-dead poll, I wanted to say that the coolest band name ever is "Godspeed You! Black Emperor" because it is perfect in every way. I cannot call it the cleverest name, however, because that would imply I have some fucking idea what it means. But I love it just the same. And I have never heard this band's music, either.

That is all.

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

Uh, is there a difference between sharing an occasional song or CD with a friend or relative and using Kaaza/Napster (I hear version 2 is coming out soon)/peer to peer downloads? If no, give me an eyepatch, a parrot, and lots of eyeliner cuz I'm a pirate. If there's a difference, er, I'll give that song back as soon as I can figure out what the hell I did with it.

RIAA's New Chief
 

I really do not think that this is what the RIAA is going for.

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

Not really "holier than thou," schmuck. It's more a product of only spending time on the computer at work. If I used my computer at home, I'm sure I would have downloaded lots of shit.

I'm not talking necessity, man. Shit, when I was in college and had zero cash, I had the best method of ganking shit from the local supermarket.

Thurgreed(my mere presence would distract the help while my blonde, innocent-looking gf stole everything in the store)Marshall

Fountains of Wayne
 

Caught the "Stacy's Mom" video on mtv.com last night. Very cute. Am I correct in thinking it is an homage to (1) "Fast Times," specifically Phoebe Cates; (2) "Hot for Teacher," specifically the pole dancing; and (3) "Lolita"? Did I miss anything?

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

Yo momma?

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

I wanna be included in the holier than thou schmuck list!

Despite the earlier joke about downloading "Billy, Don't Be a Hero" I have never downloaded anything, except for some public domain stuff to figure out how it all works. When I want to spread the word about something, I hit Amazon and mail out a half dozen copies, usually in CD form since it is universal. I've done that about three times this year. How's that for a holier than thou schmuck!

And the statute of limitations has run out on the few mix tapes I once made.

But it's pretty clear that the music industry gravy train is about to over a broken down old bridge. Net result: lot's of litigation, no money to develop new talent, industry suffers severe dislocation. It's an old story. And it couldn't happen to a nice bunch of creeps. Hopefully, in 10 years, the smoke will clear and the artists will have found other outlets. It may be that much of the future cash is in live performances rather than cd sales, and that may support a very different looking music industry, one that rewards groups who can build small groups of rabid fans. It may also be that the clear channels of the world get squeezed to support those mass market mega bands. Or maybe rock bands, like symphonies, should form nonprofits and beg for T & Sympathy.

Fountains of Wayne
 

The graduate.

Things I Have Been Wondering About
 

Ap...uh, as I was catching up, I saw this post, and it reminded me that I had a few questions. In no particular order......

1. What does "WWLD" mean? When I see your posts, mon amigo, I mentally say "What Would Leon (Trotsky, Panetta, Spinks, whoever) Do?" but I don't know if this is correctamundo. Please clarify. Thanks.

2. Ditto with the new Mr. Bob Somebody poster, the one with the multiple sock puppet avatar. Is there a joke in that name? I suppose I should/could google it, but I hadn't thought of that until just now.

3. On the cool band name poll from last week, The Poster Formerly Known As DebtSlave and Ollie both mentioned the Butthole Surfers before I could. Oh well. Pearl Jam cracked me up the first time I heard the name. As did They Might Be Giants. (um, this isn't really a question, is it? whoops, or quelle dommage, as chevy or Chico Debarge might say)

4. Wouldn't pairing TM and PJ as roommates make an interesting reality show?

Fountains of Wayne
 

Yes -- 100s of sophomoric MILF sites.

And that the song itself suxass.

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

I think I taped stuff for a friend off the radio in, like, 1986. Possibly as recently as 1988. But I don't know how to use MP3s. I have received CDs from friends that were probably made from illegal MP3s or illegally made from existing CDs. Is that like receiving stolen property?

In any event, it's more a lack of knowledge/interest than anything else.

TSG's Legal Document of the Year
 

Here here. I'd be happy to loan you my fagot too.

Things I Have Been Wondering About
 

You know this, I asked you this last week.
But for the purposes of educating the others...Mr. Dobolina was part of a Monkees song...Zilch.
Mr. Dobolina Mr. Bob Dobolina
Mr. Dobolina Mr. Bob Dobolina
Zilch
China Clipper calling Alameda
China Clipper calling Alameda
Zilch
It isn't my opinion that the people are intending
It isn't my opinion that the people are intending
Zilch
Never mind the furthermore the plea is self defense
Never mind the furthermore the plea is self defense

Blah blah blah
Well, not really a song - more like rap.

Fountains of Wayne
 

Jesus would not be a hater. YMMV.

Things I Have Been Wondering About
 

Davy Jones was a rapper?

Things I Have Been Wondering About
 

I, too, have been wondering about question 1. The only thing I could come up with was (given the avatar) is What Would (the) Lord Do. However, that's probably not it, as I am rarely right about these things.

As to question 4, I had not previously considered that, but now that you mention it, yes.

Did anyone see the article in yesterday's NYT (I think -- it was in the business section of either the NYT or the WSJ, but I'm pretty sure it was the NYT) about some reality show where there is one guy who thinks he is competing against a bunch of others for some pot of money, when in fact, everyone (except for him, of course) is really an actor? Apparently it is hilarious. The du[d][p]e cannot be reached for comment. The network planned to air it during the summer, but it's so funny (supposedly) that they're putting it on in the fall.

Things I Have Been Wondering About
 

I think that you are mixing me up with someone else, NTTAWWT.*

Nonetheless, thanks for the answer to one of my pressing questions. You are all right, despite the whole Edgar Martinez fixation.

*Does this mean that my secret identity is still, uh, secret? Cool. Cause otherwise I'd have to do what Superman did in the movie "Superman 2" and fly so fast against the rotation of the earth as to travel backwards in time. That was cool, but the trick where Supe turned a lump of coal into a diamond with his super strength to make an engagement ring for Lois Lane was more impressive to a young AoN.

Things I Have Been Wondering About
 

You know, between this and the mudwrestling with Paigow, we're putting PJ through quite a bit here. Maybe we could have him bunk with E/O instead?

Things I Have Been Wondering About
 

Ah, it's been done. Word on the street placed the event sometime in Spring of 2000, I think. I'll have to check my records.

Fountains of Wayne
 

by the "would not be" are you implying that Jesus doesn't exist any more or never existed? or are you trying to tell WWLD how to sharpen his act to seem more lord-like? If the former, you should be prepared for religious slurs based upon your attack upon Christians, unless people have learned from the last outbreak.

as to the F.O.W., their songs do not suck, but are instead catchy pop. they are not, however, worthy of the praise they've received here. they are more like a band whose first CD really catches you for awhile, but 2 years later its buried, along with the second less appealing effort.

Things I Have Been Wondering About
 

Yes. Please. Though I don't think E/O deserves it either.

Fountains of Wayne
 

I was merely trying to answer W.W.L.D.'s acronymous question, recognizing of course the possibility that L stands for "Lester." The avatar leaves open both possibilities.

Things I Have Been Wondering About
 

Yes, without question. At least in that song. He was China Clipper.

Edited to add link to Monkees page if anyone cares. And please, he goes by David Jones now. Much like Donald Osmond.

Monkees.net

Fountains of Wayne
 

I always figured it was for Less, as in LessinSF

I supposed it could stand for Leagleaze. But really, who is going to stop and say, what would Leagl do. That's just silly.