| CMU Daily - on the inside 7 May 2003 |
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In today's CMU Daily:
• Apple reach million downloads point already
• Mixed reaction from paramount over J Lo video
• Led Zep exclusives packaged for DVD release
• Review: Shed Seven - Why Can't I Be You? (Taste Media)
• More Dixie Chick activity in country radio land
• Charlotte Church will be able to spend her fortune next year
• Chrysalis indicate they will acquire rather than be acquired
• Lennox on new album imagery
• Live Review: Ex-Girl At Cargo
• You pronounce it Chk Chk Chk
• AOL top man sells half his stake
• Radiohead advertise spoof talent contest
• 50 Cent faces lawsuit over cancelled gig
• Aled Jones duets with himself
• Walmart ban lad mags
• Strokes part with Godrich
• Review: Andy Stochansky - Five Star Motel
• Dirty Vegas back in the studio
• Compulsory TaTu story
• Justin becomes a sports reporter
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CMU POP QUIZ
Another MadPlayer (http://www.madplayer.com) up for grabs this week - once
again collect the answers to each day's question and find out how to win on
Friday. Last lot of ad related questions!
Q2: The song - Stylophonic's Way Of Life - whose ad?
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APPLE REACH MILLION DOWNLOADS POINT ALREADY
Apple Mac's new music download service has sold a million tracks in just over a week - a milestone record label execs predicted would take a month to pass - and putting the service way ahead of the other legit download services.
Apple boss Steve Jobs was jubilant at the news: "In less than one week we've broken every record and become the largest online music company in the world. Apple has created the first complete solution for the digital music age."
Josh Berrioff of research firm Forrester Research told reporters that Apple's service marked "the beginning of a torrent of innovation" predicting other download services would follow Apple's pay-per-track system rather than charging a monthly subscription fee. He reckons Apple's success is down to the fact they have managed to attract music fans who use illegal download services who are looking for a more technically reliable way of downloading their favourite tracks.
Doug Morris of Universal Music was also complimentary of Apple's achievement: "Our internal measure of success was having the iTunes Music Store sell one million songs in the first month. To do this in one week is an over-the-top success."
The success of iTunes is a particular achievement given the service is only available in the US for Mac users. A Windows version should be launched later this year.
Perhaps more important for Apple shareholders is the news that in the same week the company received 110,000 orders for the new iPod. In many ways the iTunes service has been set up to drive sales of Apple's music technology rather than make huges sums of money in itself.
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MIXED REACTION FROM PARAMOUNT OVER J LO VIDEO
Mixed reaction from Paramount Pictures about Jennifer Lopez's homage to 'Flashdance' in the video to new single 'I'm Glad'. One bit of the film company who made the original movie is so impressed with her performance they are considering approaching her to appear in a long-considered remake. However another bit of the Paramount empire is considering suing J Lo's record label for copyright infringement because the dance moves in the video are so similar to those in the classic movie.
Epic Records confirmed they are talking to Paramount about the video after the studio raised concerns about the recreation of sequences from the movie, though they say they expect an amicable agreement to be reached. No comment from the label or J Lo on talks of her appearing in a remake.
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LED ZEP EXCLUSIVES PACKAGED FOR DVD RELEASE
More than eight hours of concert films and exclusive recordings from Led Zepplin are set to appear for the first time on a new double DVD and triple CD set that has been compiled from hours of archive material by Jimmy Page. The package will officially launch next week with Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones all expected to attend the launch event.
Talking to Radio 4's Today programme Robert Plant said of the new release: "It fills me with awe and surprise and so much memory that I had actually put to sleep. The impact and the power of what on a good night four people could create - it's something very special."
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REVIEW: Shed Seven - Why Can't I Be You? (Taste Media)
Ummm, how can CMU put this? You mustn't think any less of us, you really mustn't, but this is actually quite good. Seriously. Okay, so maybe not quite enough to get us hammering on the doors of London's Monarch, where the Sheds play a week-long residency real soon, but y'know: quite good. Like 'Disco Down' was pretty fine, like debut album 'Change Giver' was under-rated, and like 'Truth Be Told' was at least passable. Not a gem, but quite good, actually. Sure, it being available for a mere seven days is a questionable gimmick, and the titular 'you' could well be replaced with the word 'popular', and it's hardly a career saver, but if you can't say something nice... So, please don't send us letter bombs or rotten tomatoes or anything, but at least listen to 'Why Can't I Be You?' before writing it off completely. Yeah? DR
Release date: 12 May
Press contact: Impressive [CP, RP, NP] LD Publicity [CR, RR, NR]
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MORE DIXIE CHICK ACTIVITY IN COUNTRY RADIO LAND
More from the land of the free. Colorado Springs country station KKCS has suspended two DJs after they played tracks by the Dixie Chicks who have been banned from the playlist since those anti-Bush remarks. Station Manager Jerry Grant told Associated Press in the US: "we pulled their music two months ago, and it's been a difficult decision because how can you ignore the hottest group in country music," but he added that the DJs in questions had to be taken off the air for breaking station rules. However with more people calling in to support the suspended presenters than to complain about the inclusion of the Chicks on the schedule it is likely the DJs will return to the air in a few days time.
Elsewhere in the world of country radio, problems for Clear Channel owned radio station WFLZ Tampa whose morning show announced they were staging an anti-Dixie Chicks rally outside a gig being staged by the country threesome at a local venue last night. The problem was Clear Channel's live music division was a co-promoter of the gig and as such other shows on the station had been given Dixie Chicks promotions to run! Word is only a handful of radio listeners turned out to boycott the event, no news on the response of station management.
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CHARLOTTE CHURCH WILL BE ABLE TO SPEND HER FORTUNE NEXT YEAR
Charlotte Church will be able to access her amassed fortunes next year when she turns 18, despite being told the trust fund into which £16 million of royalties and fees have been paid couldn't be accessed until her 21st birthday. In another row between Church and her parents the teenage superstar's lawyers have confirmed Church's trust fund will become her responsibility when she turns 18 and if she wants to tap into it that is her decision.
Talking about the trust fund Church has told The Face magazine: "My parents brainwashed me - 'No, you can't do it when you're 18, it's 21! 21! 21!' But they were wrong. And I'm not going to wait. There's no point leaving millions. I want to spend a lot of it while I'm alive".
Talking of her relationship with her parents, and especially her mother, she added: "We argue and sometimes we just don't talk. Then one of us caves in after about a week - usually me. I miss her too much. I have to keep two separate sides of my life and it's sad."
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CHRYSALIS INDICATE THEY WILL ACQUIRE RATHER THAN BE ACQUIRED
Chrysalis Radio have indicated they will be looking to acquire other stations when relaxed communications legislation become law, rather than looking to be acquired by a bigger international radio group. Announcing a £8.38 million pre-tax profit for the first half of 2003 Chrysalis chairman told investors: "These results underscore my belief that the Chrysalis Group is in a strong position to capitalise on opportunities that may be brought about by the forthcoming Communications Act." Industry insiders expect the group to expand its Heart, Galaxy and LBC formats around the UK once media ownership rules change.
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LENNOX ON NEW ALBUM IMAGERY
Annie Lennox has described the picture that will appear on her forthcoming new album as showing "a mature woman facing up to failed expectations of life". Talking about the packaging of new album 'Bare' she told reporters: "I don't want to represent myself visually in some kind of cliched, airbrushed, saccharine kind of way. I want to reveal myself as I am. I am not a young artist in her early twenties, I am a mature woman facing up to failed expectations of life and facing up to core issues. I have never been known to toe the safety line in terms of how I represent myself. As an artist I need to be authentic, to take risks to break the mould when necessary."
Talking about the music on the album, out 9 Jun, she added: "Bare contains songs that are deeply personal and emotional. In a sense, I have exposed myself through the work to reveal aspects of an inner world which are fragile and broken through experience, but not entirely smashed."
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LIVE REVIEW: eX-Girl at Cargo on 5 May
Aw man, how to put this into words. Upon leaving Cargo and the space cabaret that is eX-Girl, CMU feels like a UFO-sighting redneck who nobody will ever believe. How about this: by the second bar of the a capella intro to the first song, 'Waving Scientist @ Frog King', this is already the best show this hack has *ever* seen, making previous contenders the Flaming Lips seem flipping lame. Is it the dementedly sexy costumes (think air hostesses dressed in day-glo Quality Street wrappers)? The kitsch synchronised MunchkinLand dancing? The giant frog backdrop? Sort of, but it's more the fact that eX-Girl can pull all of that off and still play spot-on renditions of their album tracks. The filthy bass, spiky guitar, tribal Bow Wow Wow drums, quirky synths and vocals that range from cutesy girliness through valkyrie shrieks to full on three-part operatic harmonies are all perfect, and their prog-punk magnificence has never sounded better to these ears. Look, it's impossible to put down on paper because, much like having your ears syringed (the most amazing sensation available on the NHS), it sounds crap until you witness the splendour firsthand. Hell, even their merchandise stand is unique (note to self: next time, bring money for a tie). eX-Girl will be back in the summer. You will be there. DR
Press contact: Italian Job PR
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YOU PRONOUNCE IT CHK CHK CHK
Only from Warp would you get a new eight-piece act called '!!!' which we've been told to pronounce Chk Chk Chk - whatever that means. Musically we're told !!! blend funk and punk - you'll be able to find out exactly what that means with debut EP 'Me And Giuliani Down By The School Yard (A True Story) / Intensifieder - Sunracapellectrohshit Mix 03' which is released on 2 Jun or when they outfit play the Barfly in Camden on 11 Jun. More details at http://www.warprecords.com
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AOL TOP MAN SELLS HALF HIS STAKE
AOL Time Warner Vice Chairman Ted Turner, who stands down from his post next week, has sold off half of his stake in the group. According to the Wall Street Journal most of the stock was sold to the Goldman Sachs investment bank, though 10 million shares were transferred to a charitable trust who also promptly sold them! The sale cuts Turner's stake in AOL to about 45 million shares which is about 1% in the company.
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RADIOHEAD ADVERTISE SPOOF TALENT CONTEST
Word is Radiohead have posted spoof recruitment posters around LA which appear to invite wannabe talent to a Pop Idol style talent competition. But the words used on the poster all come from 'We Suck Young Blood', a song off new album 'Hail To The Thief' which Thom Yorke has said is all about the Hollywood lifestyle. When you call the contact number - which translates to 1 866-tot-hief - the phone just rings and rings.
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50 CENT FACES LAWSUIT OVER CANCELLED GIG
A number of cancelled shows and radio appearances, plus a gig that turned out to be a scam, are causing a little resentment among 50 Cent's fan base - but more importantly the for the best selling rapper's people is a lawsuit being pursued by hip-hop promoter Solomon Hatcher. He is seeking $5 million after 50 Cent backed out of a gig due to take place on 11 May in Boise, Idaho. Although the rapper returned his upfront fee after the cancellation the promoter claims his costs on the cancelled gig far exceed that amount.
Hatcher's lawyer told reporters: "My client began lining up vendors and advertisers and selling tickets months ago. That's all lost now. More importantly his name is associated with this event. And when the event is shut down because the artist doesn't want to perform, it damages my client's name indefinitely. I don't know that someone would take him seriously next time he wants to promote a big concert."
The aforementioned scam show was due to take place on 9 May at Sound Factory in New York. The show's promoters were fooled by a man pretending to be the rapper's booking agent, who ran off with a $12,000 deposit. Promoters didn't realise until flyers and posters had been printed and distributed.
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ALED JONES DUETS WITH HIMSELF
Aled Jones has recorded a duet with his 14-year old self for his upcoming new album. The track, originally featured on one of his early teenage albums, will re-feature with vocals from the original and a new recording put on top. The quirky duet is what persuaded the Songs of Praise and Classic FM presenter to record another album. He told Aussie music website Undercover: "I recorded the track for Songs of Praise. I was going to sing the piece as an adult so I went to the studio and recorded it. But the producer had a version of it by me singing it as a boy. He played them at exactly the same time on a computer and they were identical. The phrasing, the ends of words and I knew then it was time to get off my backside and start recording again really".
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WALMART BAN LAD MAGS
America's biggest supermarket chain Wal-Mart is banning Maxim, FHM and Stuff, from their shelves because "the words are too racy and the pictures too bawdy". The group has said the decision is in response to the requests of their customers and associates who said "they were uncomfortable with these products". The move follows a campaign by some Christian organisations to have the titles banned from family stores. Dennis Publishing USA, which owns Maxim and Stuff, didn't seem too bothered yesterday saying Wal-Mart sell less than 3% of total news-stand sales.
Asda, the Wal-Mart owned UK supermarket chain, have said they won't follow suit: "We will continue to sell them. They are our top selling men's magazines. Wal-Mart based their decision on customer feedback but, as far as we are concerned, our customers are happy with the content. Clearly we do not merchandise them next to children's magazines and they are sold in plastic wrappers. But they are very popular with our customers".
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STROKES PART WITH GODRICH
According to Billboard The Strokes and Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich - who had been working on new material in a New York studio - have parted company, though the band's management are keen to stress it is all very amicable. "All parties involved had a lovely experience and Nigel and the band really did get on famously," manager Ryan Gentles told reporters. "It just wasn't meant to be in the studio, I suppose." The group will now continue work on a second album with Gordon Raphael who produced the 2001 debut 'Is This It'.
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REVIEW: Andy Stochansky - Five Star Motel (BMG / Gravity)
He's got a slightly more exotic-sounding name than David Gray, but Stocky (as his mates probably call him) essentially ploughs a similar field of well-produced, pleasantly inoffensive, singer-songwriter guitar pop-rock. There are some likable touches here and there (some nice backwards guitar on 'Wedding Song', the occasional mellotron flourish, and some grunge-pop guitars on 'Wonderful' that make him sound a bit like Busted's dad), not to mention a voice reminiscent of both Thom Yorke and Bono, but 'FSM' is all a bit too Virgin Radio for me. And it's certainly not as dynamic or exciting as, say, Travis, which is hardly a great compliment. Agreeable, polished, passable MOR/AOR, I suppose, but unlikely to set anyone's ears alight, unless you, erm, set fire to the CD and try to attach it to the side of someone's face as an earring, Jim Rose style, or something.
Ho hum. Is the new Girls Aloud single out yet? MS
Release date: 19 May
Press contact: BMG IH [all]
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DIRTY VEGAS BACK IN THE STUDIO
Talking about returning to the studio, the Grammy award winning Dirty Vegas are about to start work on a second album, and they're talking about a rockier and edgier sound with "more of a live feel". Word is the sound of the new album has been developed since the dance trio took their debut album on the road.
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COMPULSORY TATU STORY
Time for some more TaTu news? The girls yesterday invited fans to join them this morning on the south side of Westminster bridge dressed up in school uniform to be filmed for an up coming video. No word yet on how many people showed up or what the video will involve.
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JUSTIN BECOMES A SPORTS REPORTER
Just in case the solo career and Nsync comeback album turn sour Justin Timberlake is embarking on a second career - he is joining US sports cable network Turner Sports as a special correspondent - a job which will include the task of covering the British Open Golf tournament, the National Basketball Association season, the NASCAR car racing season, the PGA golf Championship and college football.
"We are excited at what this unique marriage between the world of sports and entertainment can bring to our high-profile sports properties," a spokesperson for Turner Sports told reporters yesterday. "Justin's interest and enthusiasm not only in the NBA, but in all sports should help provide our broadcasts with a new, fresh approach."