PlayRewind

NIN Removes the Middleman?

As most of you know Trent Reznor's new Nine Inch Nails album "Year Zero" has done rather well, one of the main reason for this has been his viral marketing campaign for the album and his attitude towards the record labels. Reznor never one to keep his opinion to himself, has been very outspoken about how unhappy he is with his record label. In the past day he has taken this one step further and if he keeps his work, he could seriously change the way in which the record labels exist and how music is produced.

Reznor told The Hetald Sun"I've have one record left that I owe a major label, then I will never be seen in a situation like this again, "If I could do what I want right now, I would put out my next album, you could download it from my site at as high a bit-rate as you want, pay $4 through PayPal."

He also goes on to discuss an option for those people who like a physical piece of merchandise. "Come see the show and buy a T-shirt if you like it. I would put out a nicely packaged merchandise piece, if you want to own a physical thing." Whih sounds wuiet nice and is certainly a preferable option than spending 20 odd euro on an album and a further 20 on a t-shirt.

The most groundbreaking piece of information contained in the article, the one quote that will if Reznor carries true seriously change music forever. "And it would come out the day that it's done in the studio, not this 'Let's wait three months" bulls---.'"

Finally an artist who knows that the fans don’t enjoy waiting years between albums only to read that its finally finished but wont be instores for a few more months, while the record label builds anticipation.

Look at it this way, at 4 dollars a download if Reznor sells 250,000 albums the day he uploads it then he’d make a million big ones over night.

Anyone can make promises, but few actually carry true on theirs. So please Trent, stay true to your word and make music buying just that little bit more enticing for not only your fans but all music fans.

The Pumpkins Return

The wait is nearly over. In a little under two months the Smashing Pumpkins will unveil Zeitgeist, they’re first album in nearly a decade.

Today we got a first glimpse at the album cover, which you can see to the left of this article.

The band are playing a number of European dates in support of the album, though as of today they have yet to confirm an Irish date.

Sum 41 Kill the US President

The forthcoming Sum 41 album has been garnering a lot of controversy months before its release. The initial single  "March Of The Dogs." which debuted on iTunes in recent weeks concerns the death of the president of the USA.

The lyrics "Ladies and gentlemen of the underclass/The president of the United States of America is dead...And now the president's dead/Because they blew off his head/No more neck to be red/I guess to heaven he fled," have caused outrage in certain circles.

The band have been quick to defend themselves, front man posted the following on the bands myspace page, "Lyrically it's one of the more political songs that are on the album...I wanted to let you all know that this will NOT be a political record. The line is a metaphor for how Bush is so ineffectual and incompetent as a president...It's the worst way I could think of to describe how bad he is as a leader."

The album goes on sale in America on July 24.

R. Kelly Cashing in on Tragedy?

R. Kelly has penned a tribute to all those who suffered due to the Virginia Tech shootings. The track "Rise Up," will be released through digital services on May 15th.

You can hear a sample of the track on Kelly’s website. Initial thoughts of cynical money grubbing were somewhat placated by Kelly’s promise that all monies raised will be donated to charity. All profits are being donated to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, which is currently helping those affected by the tragedy.

Kelly was “inspired” to ink the track as he watched the tragedy unfold on television. Rumours that it will appear on his new album “Double Up”, which is due for release in America on May 29 are as yet unconfirmed.

Total Blur?

 Alex James has again raised hopes Blur are to reform fully, insisti ng the full crew (including Graham Coxon) will be in the studio this summer.
The bassist says they want to give it one last try together - and if the reunion doesn't work out they will call it quits.
Alex, the self-confessed "second drunkest member of the drunkest band in Britain" is publishing his autobiography, 'Bit Of A Blur', later this year.