Microsoft Realizes the Negative Impacts Its Theft of Your Money May Have On Customer Morale, Supports Your DRM Files For At Least Three More Years

By Heidi Vanderslice on

Remember this? In April, Microsoft announced that all DRM digital downloads purchased from its now-defunct MSN Music store would no longer retain their license keys, which meant that customers essentially lost ownership of the music they had actually paid for. Why? Because Microsoft just didn't feel like it. Even though consumers did the right thing and actually plunked down the cash for these songs, they still got fucked.

Guess what. People were pissed off. So pissed off, in fact, that Microsoft decided this week it would continue to support DRM files purchased from MSN Music... for now, anyway. According to Microsoft, via Ars Technica:

After careful consideration, Microsoft has decided to continue to support the authorization of new computers and devices, and delivery of new license keys for MSN Music customers through at least the end of 2011. This means you will continue to be able to listen to your purchased music and transfer your music to new PCs and devices beyond the previously announced August 31, 2008 date.

However, the damage is done, because many people are going to think twice about buying DRM music for the Zune now. Blatantly fucking over your customers will make them mad, and hastily reversing a stupid decision in response to backlash makes you look even more asinine. High five, Microsoft. I think it's time for you to stop complaining about those PC/Mac Guy commercials, because you've officially become That Guy.

What the Shiv does “Thigmotactic” mean? Ask Negativland – it’s the name of their new record.

By The Friz on 06-20-2008

San Fran sound-collage collective Negativland are releasing their most brand new, ass-shakin' disc Thigmotactic July 15 on their own label, Seeland Records. Though the disc is touted as the band’s first “song-based release,” I personally fail to see how past efforts like No Business (with its “Favorite Things” send up) are any less so. AND ANOTHER THING. If Negativland are the culture-jamming bad-asses like they claim, why release an album at all? While some b-boys are super-disco breakin,' and others are certainly fakin' (looking at you C. Finn), Negativland is most definitely COMMODITY-MAKIN'.

Or maybe that's the point?

Either way, we better get some Negativland Converse/Nike commercials out of this, cause I ain't bailing them out of jail this time...

Decemberists Drummer Announces Solo Album Release

By Annapocalypse on 06-20-2008

If you’re the drummer of The Decemberists and former drummer for Stephen Malkmus and Elliott Smith, there’s really only one way you can top yourself: release a solo album. Yes, that’s right; John Moen is releasing a solo album under the name Perhapst. The self-titled effort is due August 19 on In Music We Trust.

According to the press release, the album is “filled with quirky, catchy, hook-laden indie-pop, experimental folk-rock, and even some twang for flavor, all delivered with a smirk and a smile.” So, you know, that’s always good. Performing on the album with Moen (who will be tending to vocals/guitar duties) is Chris Funk on guitar (The Decemberists), Eric Louvre on bass (The Dharma Bums), and Jonathan Drews on drums (Sunset Valley).

Perhaps this release from Moen could start a “Decemberists Presents” series, akin to the “Broken Social Scene Presents” series? I can almost see it now: “The Decemberists Present: Colin Meloy – Not Just Another Bespectacled Boy.”

Juana Molina and Feist Tour Together Like Two Peas in an I-Pod

By Emceegreg on 06-20-2008

Remember the days when women couldn't vote, work at Subway, run for president, or win surfing championships? Thanks to women like Hil-Dawg and the girls in the film Blue Crush, it seems likely that we'll someday have a female, surf contest-winning president.

What does that mean for women in music? Well, fuck Lilith Fair. We don't need you or your "Girlapalooza" anymore. Strong, talented women like Juana Molina and Feist can perform and not be looked at as sexual objects. Yes, times have changed.

Juana Molina tourdates:

# Juana Molina

Sigur Rós Announce North American Tour, Hope to Get Picked By Hanna-Barbera for Animated TV Series

By Mr P on 06-19-2008

Sigur Rós are a fictional group of small, sky blue creatures who live in a village somewhere in the woods. The members look essentially alike -- male, very short (just "three apples tall"), blue skin, white trousers with a hole for their short tails, white hat in the style of a Phrygian cap, and sometimes some additional accessory that identifies their personality (Jónsi, for example, is always carrying around a bow).

Hot off the anticipation for their latest full-length, Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (out next week on EMI/XL), Sigur Rós have tacked a healthy batch of North American dates onto their already sizable European tour, with a few Japan dates for good measure. Buy your tickets tomorrow for the North American tour, and see what all the fuss is about.

Full tourdates:

Patti Smith documentary out this September, Me to note in a roundabout way that I (sort of) think Patti Smith is (sort of) the coolest, Me to figuratively mumble this, Wear backwards cap and drag my foot a little like a nervous elementary school kid that breathes heavily through their mouth, You to have to understand all that isn’t said, Patti Smith to inevitably accept my macaroni necklace

By AJ Pacitti on 06-19-2008

Alas, readership! Us common folk will have the opportunity to re-consume the High Art of Patti Smith via a documentary to be released in September, Patti Smith: Dream of Life on Palm Pictures.

Directed by photographer Steven Sebring, who apparently first met Smith in 1996 when photographing her for Spin, the work snagged the Cinematography Award this year at Sundance. The project represents an 11-year effort.

Wild horses can’t keep you away? The film is scheduled to show at the Film Forum in NYC August 16 through 19. I’ll be there with a macaroni necklace for all thousands of you, Oh My So Critical Fanbase. So find me... I’ll be by the door wearing a red carnation on my left lapel. We can all sit together and make macaroni necklaces for Patti Smith. And send them to her. It’d be just so thoughtful.

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