Back when the band was going back and forth between guitarist Joe Perry’s cryptic musings that the group was seeking a new singer and Tyler’s protestations that the group was still together (as well as other highlights like the surprise concert duet), I said Aerosmith needs to just make up their minds–stay together or break up for good. No more of this Brett Farve back and forth. It’s not that I dislike the work Aerosmith is putting out, but I lose respect for bands that continually toy with the media. At least with Tyler going to rehab again (this time for an addiction to pain killers), we might finally get some music out of Aerosmith instead of more drama.

It’s a slower, melancholy version of the song and I really dig it.

[link via YouTube]

Does my generation, on the whole, understand the importance of or respect the idea of a record label? There are definitely many who do, but in the wake of the fashionability of free downloads and independent releases (as in, not on independent labels but on no label at all), I can’t help but wonder if the concept of how a record label can be beneficial is fading. Just from my conversations with fellow music enthusiasts, not to mention reading such sentiments in articles and on message boards, I have gathered that major record labels are often viewed as a source of mistrust and greediness – instead of a young, talented, independent artist aiming to be someday signed to a major record label, that seems to be the last thing they want to do! Amidst all of those straining for attention on the various social music media sites (which Last.fm most certainly is, MySpace Music to a slightly lesser extent nowadays though it appears to still be ‘required’ for every artist ever to have a profile there), there is some genuine talent that gets buried under the heaps and heaps, and most often their profile is marked, under where the label would go, with ‘Unsigned’.

Why are they ‘Unsigned’? There have been quite a few incidents where I’ve received an e-mail submission from a band to listen to their music and been (often unexpectedly, since there really is so much out there to wade through to get to the real goods) entirely astounded by how much I enjoyed their music and honestly shocked that they hadn’t been snatched up by some indie label. Of course, there are those unsigned artists who prefer doing things their own way – they may view a label as somehow restrictive and pigeon-holing, or maybe they just know enough about music marketing that they can handle their own press releases and promotion (or enlist friends and other band members to help) and like to maintain that sort of control. However, unless and artist wishes to remain in obscurity, there are limits to how far personal promotion and organization of music can go, and many benefits to be gained from being part of an independent label or, perhaps better yet (as we shall see) a collective.

Continue reading at A Future in Noise…

Remember when Annie Lennox sang that Lord of the Rings song?

Not only have this year’s Oscar producers decided to limit the number of nominees for Best Song in order to speed up the telecast, but now Adam Shankman and Bill Mechanic have informed artists that they won’t be performing their songs at the awards show. Instead, the songs will be played alongside footage from the film in question, supposedly in order to better establish the song’s context.

But isn’t that the point, that the songs don’t have to be in context to be enjoyed? Yes, Original Song isn’t the part of the Oscar program that has me glued to the screen, but the beauty of the Best Song nominees — of any song — is that it can be endlessly reinterpreted. You heard it the first time while you were watching the hero rush to stop his beloved at the altar; when the giant tree/building/statue was falling; at the rousing chorus or after the explosive credits. The awards ceremony is your chance to experience the song again, with a better focus.

That said, none of this year’s songs really stand out, as they weren’t written/performed by big names like Annie Lennox or Bruce Springsteen, so I’m sure that even less people are familiar with the nominees. I myself haven’t heard any of them. Still, it’s similar to the Emmys debacle a few months ago: you can’t cut one creative artist’s portion of the show. It simply isn’t fair. It takes a village to make a film, so honor all of them.

[Via Deadline]

[Image source: comcast.net Music]

Apparently Chicago hipster music mecca Pitchfork Media wanted an eponymous Tumblr web address, but it was already taken. So someone from Pitchfork got in touch with Tumblr’s Director of Operations, some strong-arming occurred, and 10 minutes later they had the domain name. Because Tumblr kicked off its original owner, moving the posts to the url “pitchfork1.”

Now the owner is accusing Tumblr of selling him out to “the man.” Weird times we live in, when an indie music website is “the man.”

[pic via Oh Word]

The wind is whipping across the avenues, Starbucks has officially run out of holiday cups, and Valentines day is just around the corner. But somewhere under the rocky ground, in the shivering twigs of the bald, grumpy trees, there sleeps a promise. So relax already. http://www.playlist.com/playlist/18950945547

Swing Life Away – Rise Against
Faded from the Winter – Iron & Wine
Fat Bottomed Girls – Queen
White Winter Hymnal – Fleet Foxes
If You Wait for Me – Tracy Chapman
Here Comes the Sun – Belle & Sebastian
Possum – Phish
Bird on a Wire – Leonard Cohen
Deep Red Bells – Neko Case
Between the Bars – Elliott Smith
We’ll Be a Dream -We the Kings (Feat. Demi Lovato)
Fast As You Can – Fiona Apple
You Picked Me – A Fine Frenzy
White Sky -Vampire Weekend
Yellow – Jem

Lollapalooza: AUGUST 6 – 8, CHICAGO. Although this year’s lineup has not been officially announced, yesterday speculation on Billboard, Rolling Stone, and other music news sources swirled that headliners would include Lady Gaga, Green Day, The Strokes, Arcade Fire, and the newly reformed Soundgarden. Having gone to Lollapalooza twice, it’s a really well-fun, fun festival. I recommend it.

Pitchfork: JULY 16 – 18, CHICAGO. The top news here is that the festival will feature the reunited, legendary Pavement. Other top acts scheduled include Raekwon, Modest Mouse, and LCD Sound System. This is the ultimate indie kid festival.

Bonnaroo: JUNE 10 – 13, TENNESSEE. Headliners confirmed include The Flaming Lips (playing their version of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon!), Jay-Z, Weezer, Kings of Leon, and Gwar. Despite the awesome scheduled lineup, I have heard that the 3-day camping experience is not necessarily comfortable due to the heat and lack of accommodations. However, if you’re more the hippy than hipster, this should be perfect.

Coachella: APRIL 16 -18, CALIFORNIA.This is definitely the best lineup, featuring Jay-Z, Pavement, Gorillaz, Muse, MGMT, Vampire Weekend, Grizzly Bear, and perhaps even Thom Yorke. Wow. I think I just had a moment of transcendence imaging all of that. So, if school/work/scheduling allows, please go check this out (and then please post all about it so I can live vicariously through you).

Of course there are others (All Points West, Sasquatch, etc.) but these are the main ones you should know for now. Let me know which one(s) you choose!

I first heard Morningwood in 2005 when I stumbled on their video for “Nth Degree,” a power pop song that you should definitely check out. However, I was interested to see them listed this week as a VH1 band that “You Oughta Know.” For some reason, I thought that over the past five years the New York group had gained widespread fame (though perhaps being a VH1 band is a sign of that fame), and so I am appalled to think that some of you may still not know Morningwood. The band’s music has been featured in commercials, video games, the Sex & The City movie, and their sing “Best of Me” is the theme song for VH1’s show Daisy of Love.

Best of all, you can download “Best of Me” for free here.

One of Ology’s partner blogs, Hard Candy, alerted me that Kate Nash has offered up a free single to download–”I Love You More”–available on her website through next Monday. The track is edgy and punk rock, a clear departure from the 2007 piano-driven sound featured in “Foundations,” the pop song which launched Nash to fame. The singer who used to be very Lily Allen is now very Karen O; once the vocal scream noises start in the song it’s hard not to immediately think of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Personally, I love Kate Nash and I love that she is expanding into riskier territory, though of course I adore her charming pop melodies. Her full sophomore album will be released April 19th, produced by former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler. I’m psyched.

Download “I Just Love You More” from Kate Nash’s official site.

Listen to more Kate Nash on her Myspace page.

Here is what the We Are The World official video/organization says:

Recorded on February 1st, 2010, in the same studio as the original 25 years earlier (Henson Recording Studios, formerly A&M Recording Studios) “We Are The World 25 For Haiti”, in which Jones and Richie serve as executive producers and producers, was created in collaboration with executive producers Wyclef Jean, Randy Phillips and Peter Tortorici; producers Humberto Gattica and RedOne; and co-producers Rickey Minor, Mervyn Warren and Patti Austin to benefit the Haitian earthquake relief efforts and the rebuilding of Haiti.

Academy Award-winning writer-director Paul Haggis (Crash, Million Dollar Baby), whose own personal efforts as well as those of Artists for Peace and Justice have already saved countless lives in Haiti, filmed the private recording session to create the accompanying video and behind-the-scenes production, and serves as Film Director and as an Executive Producer with Jones, Richie, Jean, Phillips and Tortorici.

The 25th Anniversary recording features over 80 artists and performers. The recording of We Are The World 25 For Haiti embodied the same enthusiasm, sense of purpose and generosity as the original recording 25 years ago. Every one of the artists who participated, regardless of genre or generation, walked into the room with their hearts and souls completely open to coming together to help the people of Haiti.