| CMU Daily - on the inside Monday 5th February |
|
In today's CMU Daily:
- Chart landmarks, 800th album chart topper, all Brit top ten
- Rap fans concerned about the genre's videos
- Kylie confirms split from Martinez
- Whitney Houston divorce papers revealed
- Chief Funk Brother dies
- Founding Spinner dies
- Glitter release decision due this week
- Lawsuits mount for Backstreet Boys creator
- Starr to present Oasis Brit
- White Stripes close to signing with Warner in US
- New Arctic Monkeys
- Linkin Park udpate
- New The Eagles
- New McFly video
- Album review: The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
- Byrne on Imelda Marcos project
- Van Halen reunion confirmed
- The Police reunion update
- Live Review: Little Barrie At St. Moritz
- Impala welcome EC deadline for SonyBMG ruling
- Reckless Records closes down
- EMI continue US restructure with Caroline
- Live Nation to open up its website to competitors
- The Orchard do deal with Pandora
- Album Review: The Hours - Narcissus Road
- Total Rock World Album Chart
- This week's student radio chart
- Subshot playlist
- O'Meara reckons CBB should be axed
- OMD on being first
- The Fed apologises to fast food employees everywhere
- Carey says Eminem is obsessed
--------------------------------------------------
TOP BIT>>
I feel the need to plug some CMU Recommended club nights. So here we go.
First up, it is the February edition of Kill All Hippies, CMU's favourite-est rock night, this Friday (9 Feb) at the Carling Islington Academy. This month is features live sets from five (yes, five) great new bands - Xerox Teens, Rat:Att:Agg, Das Wanderlust, Ox Eagle Lion Man and The More Assured plus, on the decks, will be KAH resident Gavin Nugent plus guests Teens Of Thailand. It'll be a storming night, running from 8.30pm through to 4am the next morning. And Carling will be £1.80 a pint all night! Tix are £6 if you buy or guest list in advance, info at http://www.leylinepromotions.com.
And then our other favourite London monthly - the Xfm Remix Night, and an especially good one this month. First up Transmission, the band that features former Verve bassist and ongoing Damon Albarn collaborator Simon Tong, former Killing Joke members Youth and Paul Ferguson, and Dreadzone's Tim Bran, and who released their first long player, 'Beyond Light', via Malicious Damage last summer. Given the all round busy-ness of these guys, this is likely to be you're only chance to catch them live before the summer - so get in there. Next you'll get Manchester boys Keith, who have been doing the live circuit for a while now, and who are getting even better with time. Again, well worth checking out. And as if that wasn't enough, DJing will be Mr Go Home Productions as a way of celebrating the long awaited release of his previously reported completely official mash up album 'Mashed' (the release of which has been brought forward to next Monday - get it in your diaries). All this plus, of course, Remix host Eddy TM, making for one hell of an evening. It all takes place on 16 Feb at Cargo in East London.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is enough plugging for now.
--------------------------------------------------
CLASSIFIEDS>>
PACHA MAGAZINE
Pacha magazine returns to the Miami Winter Music conference for a second year. Pacha will again distribute 25,000 free copies of the magazine in the build up and duration of the various dance music conferences taking place during March (WMC, Miami Music Week), targeting the most influential and savvy electronic music consumers in the World. Pacha will be the most visible publication in south Beach's hippest hotels, bars and shops. The magazine, produced by Graphite Media, also features an exclusive free CD from CR2 Records. The advertising deadline is Friday 9th February ...Advertising rates start from £396...call Gary at Programmedia now to discuss your requirements
Programmedia.co.uk : Advertising in the best independent music magazines including Pacha, Disorder, Fact, Fusion, Stool Pigeon, Base:ad, Blowback, Beat, Swell and many music festival programmes. Check http://www.programmedia.co.uk for latest.
Programmedia Landline: +44 (0)1494 866337
Email: [email protected]
--------------------------------------------------
CMU RECOMMENDS>>
KILL ALL HIPPIES FEBRUARY
This month features live sets from five great new bands - Xerox Teens, Rat:Att:Agg, Das Wanderlust, Ox Eagle Lion Man and The More Assured plus, on the decks, will be KAH resident Gavin Nugent plus guests Teens Of Thailand. It'll be a storming night, running from 8.30pm through to 4am the next morning. And Carling will be £1.80 a pint all night! Tix are £6 if you buy or guest list in advance, info at http://www.leylinepromotions.com.
BASICS: Friday 9 Feb, Carling Islington Academy, London, 8.30pm - 4am, tix £6 in advance. Press info from Leyline.
More recommends: http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk/cmurecommends
--------------------------------------------------
READER NOMINATED MYSPACE OF THE DAY: Dancing On The Doctor
From the currently miniscule label, Things To Make And Do Records, Dancing On The Doctor is a one-man band destined for greater things. Ollie Powell, the creator behind this musical magic, shut out the world for one week earlier last year to create the pulsing rhythms and finely layered melodies of his self-titled record. Performing live with only a guitar, keyboard and loop pedal, he mixes the mathematical with the minimal to produce a Four Tet-meets-Mogwai hybrid, swirling and sweeping, rising and falling, racing and slowing. You could continue along this pretentious hyperbole for as long as you wished, but as they say, the truth is in the listening, and with gigs coming up in around the North East, the best way to experience Dancing On The Doctor is live and unplugged. Apart from on MySpace, obviously.
www.myspace.com/dancingonthedoctor
Nominated by Ellie Shaw from EMAP (who admits she is a friend of the band's manager, but notes that that " doesn't strictly count as a promoter...". It's a good job we're slack). You too can nominate your MSOTD - providing you don't work with the band your nominating. Send 100-150 words on why we should check out a band's MySpace to [email protected]
--------------------------------------------------
CHART LANDMARKS, 800TH ALBUM CHART TOPPER, ALL BRIT TOP TEN
So, the chart is the big story again this morning, with the news that Norah Jones' third album, 'Not Too Late', has become the 800th number one album since the charts began in 1956. So well done her. Alas, for a time last week some thought the debut long player from the very buzzy Klaxons, 'Myths Of The Near Future', might win that honour, but in the end they had to make do with second place (though it was very close).
That bit of chart history followed another probably more significant landmark that occurred last week - the fact that for the first time ever all of the top ten albums were from UK talent - with long players from The View, The Good The Bad And The Queen, Amy Winehouse, James Morrison, The Fratellies, Snow Patrol, Razorlight, Keane, Lily Allen and Paolo Nutini filling the top ten. So well done them. And well done you. Well done everybody.
Here's what BPI boss Peter Jamieson had to say about last week's Brit filled top ten, ahead of the 800th number one this weekend: "It is completely unprecedented to have this many home grown acts featuring so highly in the charts. It is a tremendous tribute to the quality of British talent and the companies who spot and develop and invest in it. British music is currently going through a truly amazing creative period".
Now you've brought up the chart, I suppose we should run through this week's stats. Singles first, and that Mika bloke is still at number one with 'Grace Kelly'. New entries go Akon and Snoop Dogg 'I Wanna Love You' at 9, Kasabian 'Me Plus One' at 22, Gwen Stefani and Akon (again) with 'The Sweet Escape' at 23, Lady Sovereign 'Love Me Or Hate Me' at 26, Sophie Ellis Bextor 'Catch You' at 28, Take That 'Shine' at 30, Nas and Will.I.Am 'Hip Hop Is Dead' at 35, Nelly Furtado 'Say It Right' at 37, Beyonce 'Listen' at 39 and Bowling For Soup 'High School Never Ends' at 40.
Albums wise, and aside from Ms Jones and those Klaxons at numbers one and two respectively, the new entries go Jamie T with 'Panic Prevention' at 4, Just Jack with 'Overtones' at 6, Madonna with the 'Confessions Tour' live album at 7, Shins with 'Wincing The Night Away' at 16, Josh Groban with 'Awake' at 17, a Doris Day best of at 20 and Little Man Tate 'About What You Know' at 27.
Given all the landmarks and stuff, I guess some album chart trivia is called for. So, here you go. The first ever number one album on 28 Jul 1956, as published in the Record Mirror, was Frank Sinatra's 'Songs For Swinging Lovers'. With the exception of Frank, Elvis and Bill Haley & His Comets, all the other number ones in 1956 were musical soundtracks, and in fact soundtracks dominated for much of the fifties and early sixties. So much so the soundtrack to 'South Pacific' still holds the record for most weeks at number one. And let's face it, it's a record that's not that likely to be broken - not only was it at the top spot for a total of 115 weeks, during the late fifties and early sixties, at one stage it was number one for 70 consecutive weeks - including the whole of 1959. Thank God the Beatles came along, or it would probably still be number one now.
--------------------------------------------------
RAP FANS CONCERNED ABOUT THE GENRE'S VIDEOS
This is interesting. A new survey coordinated by one Dr Cathy Cohen at the University Of Chicago has found that young black people in America reckon rap music misrepresents their community.
The survey, by the Black Youth Project, involved 1590 black, white and hispanic people aged 15-25 across the US. 72% of the black youths surveyed said they felt that rap videos contained too many sexual references, while 66% of young black women said they felt they (that is, black women) were portrayed in a demeaning way in pop promos associated with the genre. 57% of young black men agreed, though only 44% said they thought black men were also badly portrayed. Interestingly, of the white women interviewed only 55% said they thought rap videos were sexist, while only 53% of hispanic women had a problem with rap videos on that issue,
Commenting on the survey, Cohen told reporters: "This study shows us that young people are actually discerning viewers who have thoughtful insights about cultural representation. Instead of condemning young black people for watching rap videos, we might encourage music and television companies to provide a broader range of images for young black people, who say that what they're seeing now is overly sexual and demeans women. This audience deserves to be paid attention to as consumers".
Perhaps unsurprisingly (or at least confirming the stereotypes), more than twice the number of black people interviewed said they listened to rap music on a daily basis than the number of white people - 58% for black music fans compared to 45% for hispanic and 23% for white. Just 3% of black interviewees said they never listened to rap. Somewhat reassuringly for those of us who think hip hop has often been at its strongest when it has been politically motivated, 41% of the black music fans interviewed said they wished rap videos had more political content.
--------------------------------------------------
KYLIE CONFIRMS SPLIT FROM MARTINEZ
As you no doubt saw this weekend, Kylie Minogue has announced she has broken up with French actor Olivier Martinez, who, of course, supported the singer as she recovered from cancer treatment in 2005 and 2006. In a joint statement, the couple said their decision to separate was mutual and that they remained "very close friends".
There had been rumours last year, of course, that the couple might wed, though at the time Kylie denied the rumours, telling reporters: "I understand the excitement at the prospect of a wedding, but we're simply happy together and getting on with life."
A spokesman for Kylie denied rumours that the singer would now ead back to Australia after the split. The singer is expected in London this week for the opening of an exhibition charting her career, through costumes, album covers and photos, at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
--------------------------------------------------
WHITNEY HOUSTON DIVORCE PAPERS REVEALED
More splitting couples, and an update on the Bobby Brown / Whitney Houston divorce. The Celeb.TV website has obtained a copy of the divorce papers Houston submitted back in October, and apparently they request a 'fast-track' divorce, saying that there are "no issues of division of community property". They also reveal that Houston is asking for custody of the couple's 13 year old daughter, but suggests Brown should get visitation rights. So, there you go.
--------------------------------------------------
CHIEF FUNK BROTHER DIES
Motown legend and three time Grammy winner Joe Hunter has died, aged 79. He was diabetic, though the exact cause of his death is as yet unknown.
Hunter was the first musician hired by Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr, playing piano for the label's in house session band the Funk Brothers, and appearing on a string of Motown classics from the likes of Smokey Robinson, Martha And The Vandellas and Marvin Gaye. His distinct piano playing style became very much part of the Motown sound, and he also performed band leader duties for the Funk Brothers for a time.
Despite his role in a chapter of real music history, he performed less and less after parting company with Motown, and by the time Allan Slutsky set out to find all the original Funk Brothers in the eighties he found Hunter playing for tips at the Marriot Hotel in Troy, Michigan.
However, he enjoyed new success later in life after the release of a documentary film about the in house band, 'Standing In The Shadows Of Motown', which won the reformed Funk Brothers two Grammys for the film's soundtrack album, and a subsequent Lifetime Achievement Grammy. A reunion tour followed, though that ended after legal disputes between band members brought the reunion to a premature end.
--------------------------------------------------
FOUNDING SPINNER DIES
Billy Henderson, vocalist with The Spinners (or The Detroit Spinners, we should say, in case you were thinking of the Liverpool folk group of the same name) has died at the age of 67. He too suffered from diabetes, and we now for certain that his death was caused by a complication related to the disease.
The Spinners also came out of fifties Detroit, originally signed to Tri-Phi Records, but later to Motown after the latter's buy out of Tri-Phi. Much of their commercial success, however, came when they signed to Atlantic Records in the seventies and, despite some eighties hits and the fact they continue to perform live to this day, that was still their most successful era.
Henderson continued to perform with the group until 2004, when he was sacked from the group after launching legal action against the group's corporate entity and business manager in a dispute over financial records.
--------------------------------------------------
GLITTER RELEASE DECISION DUE THIS WEEK
The decision as to whether or not Gary Glitter will get an early release will be made on 7 Feb. As previously reported, Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, is currently serving a three year sentence in a Vietnamese prison after being found guilty of molesting two young girls, aged 11 and 12. But prison officials have put the singer forward for an early release amnesty that is hand out as part of the country's New Year celebrations later this month. Judges will now decide whether an early release should be allowed at a sitting on 7 Feb. Those judges are only allowed to reduce Gadd's sentence by 18 months, meaning he would be released in May, although the country's president could allow an earlier release. Either way, that release won't be the end of Gadd's woes. He will be deported back to the UK after release, and he could face new charges here. Not to mention a considerable media backlash to his presence in the UK.
--------------------------------------------------
LAWSUITS MOUNT FOR BACKSTREET BOYS CREATOR
More pop courts news, of the civil kind now, and the Bank Of America has launched two separate lawsuits against US boy band impresario Lou Pearlman - the man who created the Backstreet Boys and Nsync - as a result of which the artist manager now faces lawsuits that total $130 million, or at least that's what the Associated Press are reporting. That figure does not include the $33 million judges recently ordered him to pay on previous lawsuits.
The new lawsuits from the Bank Of America are over allegedly defaulted loan and mortgage payments, and the bank has reportedly filed for possession of Pearlman's Church Street Station complex in Orlando as part of the litigation, although a spokesman for Pearlman denied those reports on Friday.
Pearlman, who is no stranger to litigation (having had high profile legal disputes with both the Backstreet Boys and Nsync), has blamed the latest string of lawsuits on people trying to cash in on his success, telling reporters back in November: "I know a lot of people come at me, as a deep-pockets theory. The more successful you get the more lawsuits you get, unfortunately".
--------------------------------------------------
STARR TO PRESENT OASIS BRIT
Ringo Starr will reportedly present Oasis with their Outstanding Achievement Award at the Brits later this month. Word has it the original plan was for Johnny Depp to present the award, but he has had to pull out, so Ringo has been asked instead (frankly, and no disrespect to Mr Depp, but Starr does seem a much more sensible choice, especially given his family connection with the band's current line up). As previously reported, Oasis are due to close this year's Brits bash on 14 Feb, after picking up their lifetime achievement gong - though Noel Gallagher has said to expect nothing special! Can't wait.
--------------------------------------------------
WHITE STRIPES CLOSE TO SIGNING WITH WARNER IN US
One more update on the negotiations going on between the White Stripes and those major record labels. As previously reported, White Stripes manager Ian Montone has been shopping around for a new record contract following the band's release from V2 US. Warner and Universal's Interscope had been favourites to nab the duo, with the latter reportedly having the upper hand (thanks to the existing friendship between Jack White and Interscope founder Jimmy Iovine). However, the latest word is that Warner are now very close to inking a one album deal with the Whites - a deal reportedly worth $3-4 million.
--------------------------------------------------
NEW ARCTIC MONKEYS
Those Arctic Monkeys have confirmed that their next album will come out on 23 Apr, that it will be called 'Favourite Worst Nightmare', and that it will feature all the following tracks.
Brianstorm
Teddy Picker
D Is For Dangerous
Balaclava
Fluorescent Adolescent
Only Ones Who Know
Do Me A Favour
This House Is a Circus
If You Were There, Beware
The Bad Thing
Old Yellow Bricks
505
The first track listed there will be released as a single on 16 Apr.
--------------------------------------------------
LINKIN PARK UDPATE
You know how on Friday we said the new Linkin Park album would be released on 30 Apr? Well, that's not true - or, that is to say, no release date has as yet been set, though a Spring release is promised. So there you go. Tippex it out of your diaries for the time being then. We'll let you know once a release date is confirmed.
--------------------------------------------------
NEW THE EAGLES
Also in the release schedule for a pre-Summer release is the new studio album from The Eagles. We know this because frontman Don Henley has told Billboard to expect something "sometime in the next 60-90 days. We want to get it out before the summer. We've had a few interruptions. We've had a few distractions. We've had several".
On the experience of recording the new album, which has been in production since 2003, he continued: "Some days it feels good. Some days it's challenging. It's exhilarating. It's worrisome. It's joyous. It's all of these things. It's a big mixed emotions kind of thing. It always has been. It's no different from what it ever is. It's just that there are more distractions now with families and charities and lawsuits".
--------------------------------------------------
NEW MCFLY VIDEO
Now, I wouldn't want anyone to think that our love for all things McFly had now reached the obsession level where we run a story just because the band have put a new pop promo video online. That would be ridiculous. http://tinyurl.com/2fdbqd by the way.
--------------------------------------------------
ALBUM REVIEW: The Shins - Wincing The Night Away (Transgressive Records/Sub Pop)
Despite being critically acclaimed as much as any band over the last decade, the two previous Shins' albums 'Oh! Inverted World' and 'Chutes Too Narrow' achieved modest sales, even though they were amongst the most immaculately developed indie-rock albums you could possibly imagine. However, the band received a much deserved leg up when their music was used in the film '<<Garden> <State>>', and writer/director Zach Braff even incorporated the band into a particularly embarrassing conversation between him and Natalie Portman. With the band's profile now raised, they seem to have aimed more for the mainstream with 'Wincing The Night Away'. The production is more polished and some of the band's rougher edges have been smoothed, though on the whole this works, although the use of hip-hop beats on 'Sea Legs' sounds ill-considered and out of place. On the whole however, the Shins keep the template that served them well in the past; 60s influenced guitar pop with the right amount of experimentation, with insightful and smart lyrics. The first single from this album is 'Phantom Limb', which is vintage Shins; led by chiming guitars and a soaring chorus with falsetto vocals. Other highlights are the opening track 'Sleeping Lessons', which starts off subdued before springing into life midway through, 'Turn On Me', which owes a huge debt to the Ronettes, and 'Girl Sailor'. Initial reaction to 'Wincing The Night Away' has been mixed, and whilst it's true that a couple of tracks fail to blossom, the majority of this album sits well with the band's back catalogue, and remains just as essential. KW
Release date: 29 Jan
Press contact: Pomona [CP,RP] Transgressive IH [NP, CR, RR, NR]
--------------------------------------------------
BYRNE ON IMELDA MARCOS PROJECT
David Byrne has piloted his latest project, a rock opera on the life of Imelda Marcos, at New York's Carnegie Hall as part of a four night residency there. Called 'Here Lies Love', apparently the words Marcos has requested for her tombstone, Byrne discussed the project with his sell out audience after showing them what he had so far.
Talking to a New York radio station about the project, and the motivation to do it, Byrne said: "When I saw that she [Imelda] used to go to Studio 54 and she had a disco built in her New York townhouse and converted the roof of the Manila palace into a disco, I thought, here's a person in power who kind of comes with their own soundtrack".
--------------------------------------------------
VAN HALEN REUNION CONFIRMED
The David Lee Roth / Van Halen reunion is confirmed. And here's what Eddie Van Halen has to say about it: "I am very excited to get back to the core of what made Van Halen". The band's original bassist, Michael Anthony, will not, however, participate in the reunion - he was replaced last year by Eddie's teenage son Wolfgang. There's no dates as yet, but it's a summer tour, so I am guessing it will be in the summer. Whether it will branch out of the US, I do not know.
--------------------------------------------------
THE POLICE REUNION UPDATE
More on The Police reunion. As previously reported, the band have confirmed they will reunite for a performance a next weekend's Grammys, but they are yet to confirm or deny rumours that a reunion tour will follow. Word has it £150 million is currently on the table from Stones promoter Michael Cohl if Sting et al agree to tour the US and Europe. The Sun quote a source as saying: "The three of them have had their squabbles and differences over the years. But they are all older and wiser now and they have decided to put the past behind them. The money has, of course, helped them to see sense".
--------------------------------------------------
LIVE REVIEW: Little Barrie at St. Moritz on 30 Jan
Little Barrie are a band on the up at the moment, so this, the launch of their new album 'Stand Your Ground', was a good chance to see just why that is. After inexplicably choosing to stand next to the ridiculously loud PA whilst waiting for the set to start, it was a wonder we could actually hear anything by the time the band brushed past us on the way to the stage. On a slight side note, the St Moritz is a tiny club, so necessity dictates that the band reach the stage by walking through the audience, but I reckon more bands should take it upon themselves to do it, regardless of the venue they're at. There's something so rock and roll about a band walking past you with their instruments in hand, ready to rock. Unless they play the piano of course. That would be silly. Anyway, Little Barrie played a great set. Their music is a mix of rock and roll, tinged with funk, blues and rockabilly, and the band really blasted it out. Barrie Cadogan wields his guitar like he was born to it, and it's not surprising he's been in demand of late, contributing sessions for Morrissey and touring with Primal Scream. Coupled with his strong vocals, he's one of those people about whom you wonder what the hell they'd be doing if he wasn't fronting a rock band; he just fits the part so well. They've also been through a bit of upheaval drummer-wise, losing Wayne Fullwood after the recording of the first album, and actually recording 'Stand Your Ground' with Russell Simins of the Blues Explosion. The new drummer Billy Skinner was energetic, relentless, and teetering on the edge of chaos at times, but the music was all the better for it; the slight looseness really suiting the band's overall sound and energy. All in all, a great gig from a band who, as long as they have Cadogan at the helm and keep playing with such conviction, should continue their ascent to success. TH
--------------------------------------------------
IMPALA WELCOME EC DEADLINE FOR SONYBMG RULING
Our very favourite pan-European independent record label body, IMPALA, has welcomed that announcement last week that the European Commission has started reassessing the case for the merger that created major record company SonyBMG. As previously reported, officials at the Commission have been forced to reassess the merger of Sony and Bertelsmann's recorded music businesses, which they originally approved in 2004, after the European Courts last year ruled that they should not have originally given approval based on the evidence available to them at the time.
That ruling was made last July following legal action against the original decision by IMPALA. Bosses at the trade body had subsequently become increasingly impatient that the Commission had not set a timescale for its re-review of Sony and BMG's merger proposals, lodging a complaint over "excessive delays" last year. Commission chiefs have now said the re-review is underway, with a provisional deadline set for reaching a conclusion on 1 Mar.
Welcoming that commitment, IMPALA Chairman and Beggars Group President Martin Mills said on Friday: "We have been contributing to the Commission's investigation and will continue to do so, to ensure that the problems identified by the court are properly resolved. This is essential for artists and music fans alike".
The trade body's President, Patrick Zelnik, also CEO of Naive Music, added: "The majors and the Commission must work together with the independents to find a solution to the structural and competitive problems facing the whole industry. The challenge is to empower the independent sector and respond to the industry's crisis through market access, innovation and diversity".
--------------------------------------------------
RECKLESS RECORDS CLOSES DOWN
Music Week reports that London indie record store Reckless Records has closed down after going into liquidation last week, which is bad news all round for London record buyers. Reckless, with its hub on Soho's Berwick Street, had been a favourite of music fans in the capital for 23 years.
--------------------------------------------------
EMI CONTINUE US RESTRUCTURE WITH CAROLINE
Following the previously reported restructure of its flagship US labels into one Capitol Music Group, EMI Music this weekend announced it was also reorganising its US distribution arm Caroline. The revamped division will have three distinct units, focusing on repertoire, artist development and independent distribution respectively.
The first of those units will release and support music from EMI Music UK, and the recently created EMI Music International, in North America, operating three labels: Astralwerks which will continue to focus on dance, electronica and alternative music, a relaunched Caroline Records which will focus on rock, metal and punk, and Internationally Known, which will concentrate on the major's global pop acts.
The artist development unit will support all three of these labels in the area of development and promotion, as well as offering the same services to independent labels who are signed up to the division's independent distribution unit. Astralwerk's current promotions team will move into the new artist development unit, where they will work alongside Caroline's existing urban promotions team, which goes by the name of Imperial, and a new team focusing on rock releases.
Caroline's existing Senior VP and GM, William Hein, will continue to oversee the new Caroline organisation, reporting to EMI Music North America COO Ivan Gavin. Glenn Mendlinger will take over the top job at Astralwerks from current boss Errol Kolosine, who will leave the major. Jeff Rougvie will oversee the other two labels.
--------------------------------------------------
LIVE NATION TO OPEN UP ITS WEBSITE TO COMPETITORS
The US branch of Live Nation has announced plans to expand its American web operations so to give competing venues more exposure. Live Nation's US ticketing site already lists events at venues owned by its competitors, but under the latest plans the live entertainments conglom will allow those competing venues to have their own pages within the site creating, what Live Nation exec Scott Fedewa labeled at the Music 2.0 conference in LA last week, a "MySpace for venues". Users of the site will be able to buy tickets for events promoted via Live Nation's ticketing partner, Ticketmaster, or via other ticketing agents selected by participating venues.
The aim of the venture is presumably to transform their website into the one stop destination for live music in the US so that, while they may promote their competitors in order to achieve that status, in the long run Live Nation enjoys a direct relationship with as big an audience of live music fans as possible. Whether other venue operators utilize the short term advantages of Live Nation's offer being aware of the long term implications remains to be seen. Fedewa promised more information about the expanded online service at the Concert Industry Consortium which kicks off in LA this week.
--------------------------------------------------
THE ORCHARD DO DEAL WITH PANDORA
Independent digital aggregator has announced a licensing agreement with Pandora Media, who are preparing to launch a free to access 'tailored to your music tastes' internet radio station over here later this year, having operated in the US since 2005.
Confirming the deal, The Orchard boss Greg Scholl told CMU: "Our relationship with Pandora Media in the UK creates a great new promotion channel for Orchard artists and labels".
Pandora Euro chief Paul Brown added: "Our Orchard agreement really jump-starts Pandora's UK service. The Orchard's large and diverse catalogue ensures more great independent music in the service, which is hugely important to the core discovery aspect of the Pandora listening experience".
--------------------------------------------------
ALBUM REVIEW: The Hours - Narcissus Road (Universal/A&M)
Cometh The Hours, cometh The Man. Quite literally, in fact: everything about The Hours screams of a record company desperately willing them to be absolutely huge. You can see why, when their sound takes in the choppy guitars of Franz Ferdinand, the stadium piano balladry of Embrace / Keane / Coldplay, and the cocksure swagger of Kasabian, Oasis and Madchester. With their populist aesthetic (their license-to-print-money songs are essentially heartfelt anthems that alternate between the spiky/aggressive and the tender/moving, or sometimes manage to be both at once), high profile connections (Jarvis, Shaun Ryder, Joe Strummer, Elastica) and rock and roll back-story (apparently The Hours took some drugs once, or something) it's easy to see how the duo are exactly the sort of record company wet dream that would get loads of money thrown at them (which they clearly have...how many new bands do you know that have artwork by Damien Hirst?). And yet, and yet...they don't suck. Which is the main thing. In fact, 'Narcissus Road' is implausibly good, even if the duo's braggadocio is a little bit overbearing at times, something not helped by awkwardly sitting lyrics such as "Twinkle twinkle little star/Who the fuck do you think you are?", which must've seemed like a really cool idea at the time. If you fancy a flutter, stick some money on 'Narcissus Road' winning the Technics Mercury Music Prize Album Of The Year 2007 (or whatever it's actually called by the time the ceremony takes place - Chris seems to remember Nationwide sponsor it these days). Far be it from us to act all smug but we did tell you how The Hours were destined for greatness last year, when first copies of their debut single started surfacing. With this fine album, they have delivered unashamedly on that initial promise. MS
Released date: 5 Feb
Press contact: Polydor IH [all]
--------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ROCK WORLD ALBUM CHART
As counted down on Total Rock over the weekend - http://www.totalrock.com (no new entries this week).
1. Evanescence - The Open Door (SonyBMG)
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium (Warner Bros)
3. My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade (Warner Bros)
4. Nickelback - All The Right Reasons (Roadrunner)
5. Incubus - Light Grenades (SonyBMG)
6. Queen - Greatest Hits 1,2,3 (EMI)
7. Muse - Black Holes & Revelations (Warner Bros.)
8. Stone Sour - Come What(ever) May (Warner/Roadrunner)
9. 30 Seconds To Mars - A Beautiful Life (EMI/Virgin)
10. Razorlight - Razorlight (Universal/Mercury)
11. Foo Fighters - Skin & Bones (Roswell)
12. Guns n Roses - Greatest Hits (Universal/Geffen)
13. Hinder - Extreme Behavior (Republic)
14. Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist (Warner/Maverick)
15. Billy Talent - Billy Talent II (Warner/Atlantic)
16. Aerosmith - Devil's Got A New Disguise (SonyBMG/Columbia)
17. Killswitch Engage - As Daylight Dies (Warner/Roadrunner)
18. Rise Against - The Sufferer & The Witness (Universal/Geffen)
19. Audioslave - Revelations (SonyBMG/Epic)
20. Blue October - Foiled (Universal/Island)
--------------------------------------------------
THIS WEEK'S STUDENT RADIO CHART
The most played tracks on student radio last week. Info on all things Student Radio Chart from Al-B - [email protected]
1. [8] Bloc Party - The Prayer
2. [1] Mika - Grace Kelly
3. [5] Klaxons - Golden Skans
4. [3] The View - Same Jeans
5. [7] Amy Winehouse - You Know I'm No Good
6. [4] Just Jack - Starz in their Eyes
7. [23] Guillemots - Annie, Lets Not Wait
8. [21] The Long Blondes - Giddy Stratospheres
9. [12] Switches - Drama Queen
10. [6] Razorlight - Before I Fall to Pieces
11. [15] Little Barrie - Love You
12. [NE] Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby
13. [22] Noisettes - Sister Rosetta (Capture the Spirit)
14. [9] Snow Patrol - Open Your Eyes
15. [25] Willy Mason - Save Myself
16. [RE] Jarvis - Don't Let Him Waste Your Time
17. [2] Jamie T - Calm Down Dearest
18. [10] The Automatic - Raoul
19. [17] The Shins - Phantom Limb
20. [NE] The Good The Bad And The Queen - Kingdom of Doom
21. [NE] Damien Rice - Rootless Tree
22. [NE] Cold War Kids - Hang Me Out to Dry
23. [NE] New Young Pony Club - The Bomb
24. [13] My Chemical Romance - Famous Last Words
25. [11] The Little Ones - Oh MJ
26. [NE] Little Man Tate - Sexy in Latin
27. [19] Mumm-Ra - What Would Steve Do?
28. [14] Fall Out Boy - This Aint a Scene, Its an Arms Race
29. [16] Get Cape, Wear Cape. Fly - War of the Worlds
30. [30] Lcd Soundsystem - North American Scum
--------------------------------------------------
SUBSHOT PLAYLIST
The videos appearing on the SUBtv network of screens in students' union bars this week. New entries marked with a *.
A-List
Bloc Party - The Prayer (V2/Wichita)
Cold War Kids - Hang Me Up To Dry (V2)*
Damien Rice - Rootless Tree (Warner/14th Floor)*
The Fray - How To Save A Life (SonyBMG/RCA)*
Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby (B-Unique)
Kasabian - Me Plus One (SonyBMG/Columbia)
Klaxons - Golden Skans (Universal/Polydor)
Mason vs Princess Superstar -Perfect (Exceeder) (Data)
Plan B - No Good (679)
Snow Patrol - Open Your Eyes (Universal/Polydor)
Tupac Shakur - Pac's Life (Universal/Polydor)
The View - Same Jeans (SonyBMG/Columbia)
B-List
The Bronx - Shitty Future (Wichita)
Charlotte Hatherley -I Want You To Know (Little Sister)*
Duke Special - Freewheel (V2)
The Enemy - It's Not OK (Warner)*
Example - You Can't Rap (The Beats)*
Grinderman - No Pussy Blues (EMI/Mute)*
Idlewild - No Emotion (Sanctuary/Sequel)*
Junior Jack feat. Shena -Dare Me (Stupidisco) (Defected)*
Liam Frost - She Painted Pictures (Lavolta)
Olympus Mons - Follow You Down (Unsigned)*
Tokyo Police Club - Cheer It On (Memphis Industries)*
Unklejam - Love Ya! (EMI/Virgin)
--------------------------------------------------
O'MEARA RECKONS CBB SHOULD BE AXED
Former S Clubber Jo O'Meara, who is still battling the post Celeb Big Brother racism accusation fallout, has said she thinks the celebrity version of the reality show should be axed. Speaking to Sky News about the media backlash to her, Danielle Lloyd and Jade Goody after they made arguably racist remarks against fellow housemate Shilpa Shetty, she said: "I feel if this is what a TV show does to people, then it shouldn't be a TV show. The whole thing has been so unfair and so cruel. I've not been portrayed as the person I really am".
--------------------------------------------------
OMD ON BEING FIRST
So then, who exactly did lead the way in eighties synthpop? Human League? Depeche Mode? Gary Numan's Tubeway Army? Fuck off, it was OMD. Or at least that's what OMD's Andy McCluskey reckons. Speaking to The Scotsman about the duo's previously reported reunion, McCluskey went over some old ground: "[Human League's] Phil Oakey has issues because he knows we started before the League and it pisses him off. 'Electricity' came out in May 1979, before Tubeway Army. Later, I heard Numan bought a copy of it, told his management he liked it, then they phoned us up and asked us to support him on his Cars tour. Suddenly, everyone said we were copying him! The politics were ridiculous. But Depeche Mode definitely started because of 'Electricity' - Vince Clarke heard it in a club". So, is that clear everybody?
--------------------------------------------------
THE FED APOLOGISES TO FAST FOOD EMPLOYEES EVERYWHERE
Kevin Federline (he counts as music news right?) has apologised if anyone working in a fast food restaurant was offended by the previously reported Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co ad which aired during this weekend's Super Bowl, and which featured the soon to be former Mr Britney Spears dreaming of being in a flash hip hop video while working in a burger joint.
The president of the US's National Restaurant Association said the ad was offensive to America's 12.8 million restaurant workers. Responding, the Fed told the Associated Press: "The commercial is completely intended for me, making fun of myself and my own situation. It has nothing to do with anybody in the fast-food industry at all. So, you know, if we've offended anybody, I'm really sorry about that."
--------------------------------------------------
CAREY SAYS EMINEM IS OBSESSED
Mariah Carey claims that Eminem is "obsessed" with her, and that comments the rapper has made about her prove it to be so. As previously reported, Slim Shady claims he dated the singer back in 2001, something she continues to deny. She told Playboy: "Something is clearly askew with him and I'm not quite sure what it is. I just heard something else he recently said about me. I'm curious as to why he's so obsessed with me. I never got an apology letter, by the way. Then again, I wasn't exactly searching my mailbox for it".