Zune Sucks

Today marked the much-anticipated release of Microsoft's attempt at the iPod killer. It's called the Zune, and you should not buy one.

"But Steve!," you say, "it has this cool soft rubber coating and I can send songs to my friends wirelessly!" My response? Wirelessly is not a word, and it still sucks. You can send songs to your friends if they have a Zune, but it takes a while and you can then only play the song 3 times. Lame. Also, their marketing tag line for the Zune is "Welcome to the Social." When was the last time you attended a social? Was there ice cream?

Seriously though, the real issue with the Zune is that Microsoft has agreed to pay the major record labels a portion of the profit from each unit sold. This is because they are assuming that most Zunes will be loaded with stolen music. While this may in fact be true, it's not right of them to assume it, and their paying of the labels sets a very dangerous precedent. And the consumers will pay the price. Literally.

Paste Magazine

I'm not sure why I haven't posted about Paste before. It's a great music magazine that manages to be everything I always wished Rolling Stone could be. The material they cover is quality and the writing is excellent. Brian was reading it a year ago and when they went monthly in August, subscription was a must. Every issue comes with a CD sampler of their recommended listening. Pick up a copy and you will not be disappointed. Beck is on the cover this month.

New Beck

I've been meaning to post about the new Beck album for a while now. It seems like it's been kinda under the radar, but it's great. He recorded it with Nigel Godrich, who produced Sea Change and Mutations (and OK Computer and Kid A, while we're talking about it). And if you actually buy it you get a DVD with videos for each of the 15 songs. Awe-some.

New Shuffle

Yesterday Apple released its new iPod shuffle. As you can see, it's even smaller than the old shuffle. Pretty soon we really will be using the iPod invisa from the SNL sketch.

Note: I used to have a link to that sketch but it was taken down by youtube.

RIP Maynard

Jazz legend Maynard Ferguson passed away yesterday. He was 78. As a trumpet player I grew up worshiping at the alter of Maynard, the king of the screaming high notes and pelvic thrusts. If you think you don't know who he is, watch Rocky again and listen closely. Fisher, Bellomy and I once had the pleasure of driving Maynard, and it was one of the highlights of our high school experiences. He will be missed but his music will always be with us.

James Morrison

This guy has been in my CD player for the last week and I wanted to share. He's James Morrison, a British singer-songwriter who is about to blow up. Yes, he shares a name with a certain rock legend, but this kid is the real deal. He's got a voice that sounds closer to Stevie Wonder than any white kid I've ever heard. It's that soul sound that artists like John Mayer, Teddy Geiger, and Joss Stone are going for, but Morrison actually has the goods. In a Joe Cocker kind of way. It helps that his songs are great and well produced. Check out his album whenever you get a chance.

All Better

I have returned from the 10th Annual All Good and I must say that it was quite the experience. Drew and I met people from all over the country and had a great time. Pictures are up in the gallery.

Mates of State

My new favorite band is called Mates of State. This is one of the best heads up I've ever gotten from Farasey, and their latest disc was my album of the long weekend. They're a married pop duo of keyboards and drums that write great songs and sing crazy harmonies. Other than that they're hard to describe. Except to say it's awe-some.

Oh Axl

Not that it will come as a big shock to anyone, but apparently this morning Axl Rose was involved in a confrontation in Stockholm, Sweeden during which he allegedly bit a security guard in the leg. You might assume that the only time you'd hear about a 44 year-old man resorting to such tatics would be on COPS, but we're talking about Axl here. It's almost as if he's intentionally trying to stall any possibility of resurrecting his career. Oh Axl, there might be 2 fans out there who are still excited about Chinese Democracy. Are you trying to alienate them too?

New Guster

Guster's new album, Ganging Up on the Sun, was released yesterday. Erin and I have been enjoying it for the last few weeks. Do I feel guilty? Not really. I pre-ordered it through their website for delivery to my door. I just decided to use the internet to get a jump on my listening. I love technology. Anyway, give it a listen if you like good music.

Roo Wrap-up

What an amazing weekend. Strangers became friends, friends became better friends, and Radiohead blew everyone's minds. It was hot and humid but completely worth it. Pictures are up in the gallery.

Radiohead

01 There There
02 2+2=5
03 15 Step
04 Arpeggi
05 Exit Music
06 Kid A
07 Dollars And Cents
08 Videotape
09 No Surprises
10 Paranoid Android
11 The Gloaming
12 The National Anthem
13 Climbing Up The Walls
14 Nude
15 Street Spirit
16 The Bends
17 Myxomatosis
18 How To Disappear Completely

Encore 1:
19 You And Whose Army?
20 Pyramid Song
21 Like Spinning Plates
22 Fake Plastic Trees
23 Bodysnatchers
24 Lucky
25 Idioteque
26 Karma Police

Encore 2:
27 House Of Cards
28 Everything In Its Right Place

Will write more after sleeping...

Big Weekend

Erin and I leave tonight for the sold out Bonnaroo Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. We will camp for 3 days and see numerous musicians including Radiohead, Beck, Common, Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Folds, Bela Fleck, G. Love & Special Sauce, Medeski Martin & Wood, Blues Traveler, Tom Petty, Phil Lesh, Nickel Creek, Blackalicious, moe, Bright Eyes, Rusted Root, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, Donavon Frankenreiter, Dr. John, Buddy Guy, Oysterhead, M Doughty, Seu Jorge and many more. I will post pictures next week.

Need Him, Feed Him

It would be kinda weird if Paul McCartney died right before his birthday on Sunday, wouldn't it? After making such a big deal about it?

Smilin' Will

Joey's band has a website. Their name is Smilin' Will. While I haven't heard them yet, George Pierson McDavis says they might be the best band in the world. And you can't argue with that.

Note: None of the band members are named Will.

Pandora Project

Pandora is the result of the Music Genome Project. They've been working on an analysis of all music since the year 2000. They listened to songs from over 10,000 artists and carefully recorded everything they could. Pandora takes that info plays music for you based on artists you like. It's a great way to find out about music you've never heard. If you like music or just have ears, you should check it out.

Village Cop

The cop from the Village People has been arrested. Oh, irony. Insert random internal affairs joke here.

New Ben Harper

I've been listening to the new Ben Harper album, Both Sides of the Gun, all weekend. It comes out tomorrow and I suggest that you check it out if you're a fan of good music. I've been anxious to hear it since Diamonds on the Inside was so good. This one is very different but lives up to expectations. There are two discs. One is slower mellow stuff and the other is faster and funkier. Both are great.

Bonnaroo

Erin and I bought our tickets Saturday morning for the Bonnaroo Festival. I've wanted to go since it started but haven't for various reasons. We're pretty excited. If you haven't heard yet, here are some of the acts that will be playing:

Radiohead
Beck
Death Cab
Ben Folds
Bela Fleck
G. Love & Special Sauce
Medeski Martin & Wood
Blues Traveler
Tom Petty
Phil Lesh
Nickel Creek
moe
Bright Eyes
Rusted Root
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Donavon Frankenreiter
Dr John
Buddy Guy
Oysterhead
M Doughty
Seu Jorge

And many more. Yes, that's right. Radiohead is playing their first festival since Coachella in 2004. Rock on.

LEGO Harpsichord

Behold the greatness of a working harpsichord constructed entirely of LEGO blocks. I thought I made some pretty sweet things in my younger (and college) days with LEGOs, but that was nothing compared to this. Hats off.