posted by david on Mon 31 Jul 2000 @ 03:42 AM

And so the cry was heard far and wide: they're back! Yes, the Go-Betweens, the legendary Australian pop band, are about to release a new album. "The Friends of Rachel Worth" is their first album in 12 years and will feature ten songs from the pens of Robert Forster and Grant McLennan. They're the only original members returning for this one but many would argue that they're the only ones that matter (hey, they wrote the songs etc). The pre-release hype has been reasonably positive so far (Melody Maker: "a masterpiece") so I guess it could be worth checking out. Oh, and unlike their previous album titles, there's only one 'l' this time.

Reviews: Rolling Stone - Billboard

posted by david on Thu 27 Jul 2000 @ 03:44 AM

In the US, the judge presiding over the RIAA vs Napster case has ordered that all trading of RIAA-distributed songs is to cease more-or-less immediately. In effect, this means Napster is being shutdown. Although this is a temporary measure, the judge has ordered this because she finds it likely that the RIAA will win. I'm in two minds about Napster: on one hand, they're not the ones actually hosting the copyrighted material but on the other hand, blind freddy can see that the principal purpose of Napster is to "distribute" that material. The really dumb thing about this is that online trading of mp3 files cannot be stopped - Gnutella is just one of a number of alternatives. In effect, the RIAA will win nothing by winning this case as they cannot beat the technology. The old rule applies: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, but sadly the fine minds at the RIAA haven't figured that one out yet. Find news coverage of the shutdown at CNN, ZDNet, Salon and probably most of the other news services. Of course, the Napster website also has stuff to say about it. update: Napster won their appeal and can now look forward to hearing the matter decided in a full trial thingy.

posted by david on Thu 27 Jul 2000 @ 03:43 AM

While it may not be the most anticipated album of the year, I'm sure many music lovers will be looking out for the new Emmylou Harris album "Red Dirt Girl" when it's released later this year. The diehard fans will be excited that she's written most of the songs on this one (she writes well but not often). Those who were floored by "Wrecking Ball" will be wondering whether she can repeat the success of that album. And me? Well, Bruce Springsteen will be making an appearance with wife Patti Scialfa, so I guess I'll just have to buy it...

posted by david on Sat 8 Jul 2000 @ 03:47 AM

This week saw the announcement of the title of the new Radiohead album, the followup to the universally acclaimed "OK Computer". "Kid A" will be released at the beginning of October. Also due this year is the new album from U2 although a title and release date have not yet been announced. The band are again working with producers Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, and Bono has said that this one will be their best yet. Radiohead's "Ok Computer" was very good (but not as amazing as everyone said) and U2's "Pop" was a bit of washout, so it will be interesting to see how their new albums pan out.

posted by david on Thu 6 Jul 2000 @ 03:51 AM

One of the golden rules of album cover design is that any photos of the musicians must feature sullen looks. Smiling in any way is a definite no-no. In the liner notes of her new album, 'Faith And Courage', Sinead O'Connor shows her usual concern for rock conventions by smiling. Broadly. Maybe I should be surprised, but this is Sinead we're talking about, she's always been full of surprises and as it turns out, that photo is only the first surprise here.

Reviews: Billboard - Rolling Stone - BBC Online

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