August 31, 2005
New Music on iTunes
(Filed under: Discover New Music)This week on iTunes new stuff includes:
- Kanye West's new album Late Registration, which includes the #1 single on iTunes, "Gold Digger".
- Death Cab for Cutie's Plans, which I hyped more than a month ago.
- The 10:1 EP by Rogue Wave. "Interruptions" is the big song, but I love "10:1"—it has a nice, high-speed vibe. "Wait for It" has a nice creepy vibe, too. I originally checked out Rogue Wave because they did a fun cover of U2's "Seconds".
- You can also finally get the new Audio Adrenaline: Until My Heart Caves In. Lead singer Mark Stuart's voice is showing some serious signs of aging, but a few songs really stand out (mainly the ones that prominently feature guitarist Tyler Burkum on vocals), including "Starting Over," "King" and the title track.
Posted by kevin at 1:15 PM | TrackBack
OK Go's "A Million Ways" Dance Video
(Filed under: Video)
The goofy dance video for "A Million Ways" by the band OK Go was never really meant to be released publicly, but now it's everywhere. NPR talked with the band's singer, Damian Kulash, and the choreographer, his sister Trish Sie. The video was filmed in their backyard and intended to be used as a video piece for the closing of their concerts. They also passed out DVDs to fans and it eventually found its way to the Internet.
NPR has the video and you can also check out their latest album, Oh No, which conveniently came out this week.
Posted by kevin at 1:03 PM | TrackBack
August 23, 2005
New Music on iTunes
(Filed under: Discover New Music)If you haven't noticed the pattern, new music is generally released on Tuesdays. This week iTunes has a couple interesting tracks worth checking out:
"Here is Our King" - David Crowder Band
"Do You Want To" - Franz Ferdinand
"King" - Audio Adrenaline - This one actually came out a month or so ago, but who's counting? You can also pre-order the new Audio Adrenaline album, Until My Heart Caves In, which comes out next week. Pre-ordering on iTunes will give you two extra songs ("Last Star Shining" and a live version of "Leaving 99") and a behind the scenes video.
Posted by kevin at 3:05 PM | TrackBack
August 17, 2005
The Flood of Greatest Hits Collections
(Filed under: Industry)Interesting story on the greatest hits collections that seem to flood the market, even if an artist has few hits, few years in the business, or few albums. Hilary Duff released has released two albums, the first in 2003, has no hits, and now has her own best of.
Mainly greatest hits collections are a chance for record companies to make more money. Often it's about putting the best songs on one CD, even if they're not all hits. It makes it more likely the casual shopper will pick up a disc, and more likely crowded store shelves will have room for one CD, as opposed to two or three CDs from a single artist.
Posted by kevin at 9:20 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 16, 2005
Free Robbie Seay
(Filed under: Free Music)The Robbie Seay Band from Houston's Ecclesia Church is this week's Discovery Download on iTunes. Snag a free copy of the quiet acoustic worship number, "Better Days", from their Better Days album that came out today.
Posted by kevin at 9:38 AM | TrackBack
August 10, 2005
Sixpence's Leigh Nash Goes Solo
(Filed under: In the Studio)
Former Sixpence None the Richer lead singer Leigh Nash is going solo. She's currently working on a new album to be released in 2006, and you can hear several samples at her myspace site.
"It's really wonderful to be able to put your whole self into something," she says. "As a band, creating new material is really a group effort; there is a certain lack of control one has as an artist. Now, I am able to take my experiences from the band and from life to make an album that is completely me, inside and out."
(link via Chris Well)
Posted by kevin at 7:07 AM | TrackBack
August 9, 2005
Kirk Franklin is Looking For You
(Filed under: Discover New Music)
Gospel front man extraordinaire Kirk Franklin has a new single out, "Looking For You." It's got a heavy dance vibe and will be part of his upcoming Hero album, due out October 4.
You can also check out his new blog, which features a whopping one entry per month. It's a part of his new web site, where you can listen to the new single in its entirety (though it's interrupted by an annoying computerized voice announcing that it's a "KirkFranklin.us exclusive").
And you have to wonder if Toby Mac paid him to wear that shirt.
Posted by kevin at 7:54 AM | TrackBack
August 8, 2005
The U2 Concert Experience
(Filed under: Technology)Wired magazine explores U2's City of Blinding Lights, a look at the technological wonder that is the traveling U2 Vertigo Tour.
Posted by kevin at 9:50 AM | TrackBack
August 2, 2005
New Justin McRoberts: Grace Must Wound
(Filed under: In the Studio)
Indie artist Justin McRoberts is finishing up recording on his latest album, titled Grace Must Wound. McRoberts is hoping for an October release. Until then, you can listen to the new song, "The Our Father" on McRoberts' myspace site. You can also check out his myspace studio blog.
In other Justin McRoberts news, you can now get his 2002 album Trust and his 2003 album Intersections (which contains his cover of U2's "One" that I'm always raving about) on iTunes.
Posted by kevin at 7:22 AM | TrackBack
