As Sure As The Sky Is Blue and Water Is Wet, Ghostface Will Release a New Album in December
By Mike McHugh on 11-17-2008
For the past two Decembers, The Wu-Tang Clan’s high-pitched utility man Ghostface Killah has released new records, starting with the immaculate Fishscale (TMT Review) in 2006 and 2007’s dope-to-the-bone The Big Doe Rehab (TMT Review). HOLD UP, wait a damn minute here! We only gave Fishscale three blue orbs? Damn, Gumshoe, you are cold blooded! Once my hangover wears off and I strap on some reading pants, I’ma gonna peruse this thousand-word treatise on why Fishscale apparently ain’t the masterpiece it really is. But thanks for giving me a goal for the day, Gumshoe! I wasn’t even planning to put on any pants!
Apologies for the digression. Anyway, Ghostface’s predilection for December drops has been as dependable as a Ford truck, and with his new record GhostDeni the Great set for release] December 16, Ghost just got upgraded to Chevy. Though technically a compilation of classic tracks from the past few years, GhostDeni contains a couple of new songs, like “Ghostface Christmas” and “Slept on Tony.” Along with the new tracks, GhostDeni features a smattering of remixes, including new versions of "Be Easy" featuring Ice Cube and "Kilo" with Raekwon and Pusha T. The new record will be available as either a single CD or along with a DVD documentary about Ghost’s Hip Hop Live tour.
Why do birds suddenly appear whenever digital download/vinyl bundle packages are near? Insound reports actual good news in the record industry, opportunity to buy totebags!
By Liz Louche on 11-17-2008
In what must surely be a herald to the approaching golden age of American life and stuff -- projected by Nostradamus and a large portion of liberal pundits to occur sometime between November 4, 2008 and January 20, 2009 -- there is actually good news coming from the usual total downersville known as the record industry. And it comes in the form of one of the most love stories of our time: that of MP3 album downloads and vinyl sales, together and better than ever.
Over the past year, vinyl LP sales have been on the rise, and online retailer Insound in particular has benefited. Insound co-founder Matt Wishnow recently told Billboard, "The percentage increase over the last 12-18 months in vinyl sales has been dramatic -- close to 100%. Our gross margins and pricing model for vinyl are the exact same as that for CDs. However, there is one major difference and that is the elasticity of that margin. We don't discount vinyl often because consumers believe that vinyl is worth the suggested price."
It's nice to see a music retailer doing well, and of course it's awesome to see sales figures helping out the careers of our friends Fleet Foxes and Iron & Wine. But wait, there's more! Everybody likes hearing good news, but when this good news benefits you yourself, then it's AWESOME NEWS! And that's what's up next: awesome news. See, when Insound started offering simultaneous MP3 download/vinyl purchase bundles, not too many indie labels were down. But now, online shoppers can expect to find almost 500 titles available from the likes of Sub Pop and Matador, which are providing loads of titles from the two aforementioned bands, as well as The Shins, Mogwai, Wolf Parade, Band of Horses, Flight of the Conchords, and The Postal Service.
It gets better: in 2009, you'll be able to get MP3 downloads with more than just vinyl. Yes! You'll be able to get digital download bundles alongside such exciting and possibly earth-friendly physical products such as tote bags! t-shirts! super dreamy band posters! and more, all within roughly $20.
These packages are possible through what Billboard calls more "lenient royalty deals." According to Wishnow, many of Insound's indie label partners work with artists who "control their own publishing or who have progressive publishers." This allows the online retailer to pay mechanical royalties only once for the download/physical bundles, and helps you, the Flight of the Conchords obsessive, to purchase every single imaginable tie-in and format of music -- all for one low, low price.
_Jeremy Enigk’s_ Tour Is Beginning _today_, And It’s Going to be _paradigm-shifting_!
By Mango Starr on 11-17-2008
Yes, it's true! _Jeremy Enigk_'s tour begins _today_! Hitting up cities like _Pocatello_ and _Lawrence_, this tour should be _paradigm-shifting_. But despite how _paradigm-shifting_ it'll be, it's expected to be _titillating _ too, because _he might play songs from his forthcoming album OK Bear_.
_Jeremy Enigk's_ latest album is _ The Missing Link_, which was released or is set to be released _last year_ via _567 Records_. The funny part? Well, did you know that _this tour will feature Enigk on acoustic guitar, with Kaanan Tupper helping out_?? HAHA!
Anyway, here are the tourdates for _Jeremy Enigk_, which again, starts _today_ and hits up cities like _Pocatello_ and _Lawrence_. Just don't be surprised if _this tour will feature Enigk on acoustic guitar, with Kaanan Tupper helping out_, like I said in the second paragraph!
New Antony and the Johnsons Album Coming To Bring Beautiful Gender-Bending Tunes To All!
By Scott Lauer on 11-17-2008
(This preview has been approved for all audiences.)
In 2005, Antony and the Johnsons released I Am A Bird Now (TMT Review), one of the most crushing epics to come out of the new millennium.
And now, in 2009, Antony and the Johnsons are bringing you their full-length follow-up, The Crying Light.
Following the Mercury Prize-winning Bird, Antony is set to please audiences once again. Critics agree: Antony and the Johnsons have something special going here. The Los Angeles Times reports, “Before the rapt audiences eyes (and within our delighted ears), Antony had become an unnamed creature in a freshly born world”; while the UK Guardian muses, “This latest reinvention means his own legend is assured.”
Antony and his beloved Johnsons are expected to dive deeper than ever before, exploring relationships with the natural world, featuring arrangements by avant-classical composer Nico Muhly. Listeners will laugh, cry, and be moved (presumably) to songs like “Her Eyes Are Underneath the Ground,” bringing us a world of winking leaves where the sun “dances crystals in my eyes.” Share in Antony’s joy in “Kiss My Name.” And be shocked and awed by the album centerpiece “Another World,” where Antony will lead audiences into the despair of a vanishing landscape.
Hear the album that has critics rejoicing:
“Antony has moved on to a transformed sound still more beautiful. Joining him in the shadows was breathtaking.” – Evening Standard
“This isn't a heart breaking; it's a heart waking...” - The Oregonian
Coming to ears near you, January 20, 2009.
A Secretly Canadian production.
