Where Do I Get My Music?

I get my music (currently) from a website called allofmp3.com . CD’s tend to be around $1.50 which is dramatically cheaper than iTunes. Even though the collection is not as good as iTunes, it is rather extensive, generally meeting my musical needs.

 However, it turns out this Russian based company is heavily affecting the politics of the region.

It suprised me today to come across a little blurb about the site in the new edition of my favorite magazine: ForeignPolicy. It turns out that allofmp3.com is the largest illegal distributor of music in the world that earns a profit. Not only that, but its affecting Russia’s chance at getting into the WTO. The US would like Russia to disband the company before entering the WTO, and given Russia’s attempt to compete with the world economy, there’s a good chance that will happen.

Anyways, intellectual property is yet again stirring up controversy, nothing too new.

Kidnapping of Journalists

Today an American reporter along with his New Zelander assistant were kidnapped and randsomed for the release of Muslims detained by the U.S.

Obviously, because the U.S. does not negotiate with terrorists, much less unknown terrorist groups (the Holy Jihad Brigade doesn’t even have a website), it won’t do anything publicly about it. But upon reading this article I came across something that struck me as brownie points for the U.S. reputation.

Mahmoud Abbas was reported to have said that the release of the the captured reporters has become a national priority. In addition, protests were held in order to encourage their release.

Palestinians are helping the U.S. out in a very sticky situation. Regardless of what results from this little fiasco we can infer that Hammas does not have complete disregard for America because of their support for Israel. This gesture made me feel more confident about the way the U.S. handled their support for Israel in the current war.

Group Songs

If you like fun music that will make you happy no matter what mood you are in, than “We’re From Barcelona” by I’m From Barcelona will treat you well.

 The choir reminds me of one of the greatest songs ever: We are the World 

 Skip to the Fourth minute to truly grasp what I’m talking about.

Justin Timberlake’s New Album

I hate N’sync and Justin Timberlake’ solo career.

 But the beats off his new album are slap diggity. Timberlake enlisted a hell of a team of producers . Expect big things from his upcoming album. I never thought I’d see the day…

Paper or Plastic?

 According to Newsweek, America is starting to go “green.” In the past several months it has become trendy to make the enviromentally savvy decision. So what’s the next step?  

Well let’s start with something familiar to us: Paper or Plastic? This is the question that plagues all grocery shoppers just when they think they’re done with making decisions at the store (Is it worth getting the half priced Safeway brand version of this product?). In fact it used to throw me into turmoil when I’d checkout at WholeFoods. However, recently it has not been a problem for me because I know which is the “green” decision for me.

Paper: Paper bags use about twice as much energy as plastic and are harder to reuse. The paper comes from either paper farms or (god forbid) recycled paper. Although these paper farms require the use of land, particularly Tropical Forest’s land is of concern, they are supported by the “green” community because their philosophy is “reaping only what we sow“. Paper provides a more sturdy bag but is not resistant to liquids.

Plastic: Plastic is made from petroleum and other by-products of the oil industry. It is fairly effective as a bag for carrying weight, but lacks support when left to sit on the ground. Often plastic bags will roll over with it’s contents onto the floor. They are a bit cheaper to produce but are raising some eyebrows among concerned environmentalists about their liter productivity. They also do not biodegrade easily.

 Apparantly Australia is on the front lines of this Paper or Plastic War  . They have passed a bill to reduce the amount of plastic bags used. By 2008, they hope to have no plastic bags left in the entire country.

“The amount of petroleum used to make one plastic bag would drive a car about 115 metres. The 6.9 billion plastic check-out bags we [Australians] use every year is enough to drive a car 800 million kilometres or nearly 20,000 times around the world.”

Today, as I was checking out my large coagulation of food, I responded “Paper” simply because it didn’t make sense for me to use even more petrol. I suppose I use paper lavishly but that’s because there’s a plethora of trees and not so much of a reserve of oil.

Phenom

These are some Phenomenal “Electronica” songs great for any pre-party hangout.

Bonde do Role - Melo do Tobaco 

This Brazilian trio joined Diplo along with CSS this summer all over the country making an appearance at the Pitchfork Music Festival where the lead singer experienced what all concert-goers wonder if people experience. Upon an attempt to crowd surf, she fell to the ground subsequently dislocating her arm. Despite this minor setback, BDR completed their tour showcasing their recently released EP in hope to spark some excitement for their upcomming LP. Rolling Stones also listed them as Top Ten Bands to Watch.

Hot Chip – And I was a Boy from School

Hot Chip’s recent CD is one of my favorite CD’s right now. His ability to mix ambient style of electronica with a pop tune really makes for a good listen.

MSTRKRFT –  Paris

 Mstrkrft is what remains from the group Death From Above 1979. They have some great synth beats just to get pumped up with.

The Knife – Neverland

The Knife’s long awaited US debut of Silent Shout finally came this summer. I had been trying to get my hands on this album for almost a year. They are dominating the Swedish music Charts and rightfully so. Their previous album Deep Cuts is also quite fantastic.

Barbara Morgenstern – The Grass is Always Greener

Off of Barbara’s new album. This German musician has pumped out several solid electronic albums to be reckoned with. The title track above is one of her more solid songs off the album.

Cansei Ser Sexy (CSS) - This Month Day 10

These chick group is blasting their way across the country with one of the leading DJ’s out there: Diplo. They played earlier this month in SF. More sexy savvy stuff.

 Lily Allen – LDN

OK so this isnt Phenomenal Electronica but I really enjoy this UK popstar’s attitudinal yet melodic vocals. Her accent is incredibly appealing as well. Here’s to UK music? I had to spend $20 to order this from Amazon.co.uk  . Hopefully it picks up around here (in the US) come october when she releases her album for her American myspace fanbase (me included).

Sufjan Stevens

I have 2 extra tickets to Sufjan Stevens on October 10 at Zellerbauch. $40 a pop

Raiders vs. Niners

23-7. I know its pre-season but Aaron Brooks looked good. There were three specific times that I remember in the first half where I thought to myself, “oh no, he’s sacked.” Yet all three times, Brooks was able to maneuver his way out of a crowd and not only avoid the sack but gain yardage. I remember the first snap Walter took this game and he got put into a very similar situation yet he was taken down.

 

This is precisely why Brooks will be QB and why he will actually do quite well (I believe) in his new home nation. The Raider Nation won’t be constantly losing momentum due to their poor offensive line work allowing pass rush to take over because Brooks is a threat still on his feet: 31 yards rushing on 4 att in the first half.

My First Music Post

I still am not quite sure how I want to approach a blog with my musical interest but I think it will go something like this.

The most listened to song on hype.non-standard.net and for good reason. Its somewhat self explanitory (btw if someone could help me with the url stuff I cant seem to figure out how to put a link into text. Thanks)

Cobra Starship – Snakes on a Plane  

I don’t even like Panic! at the Disco but their remix from the same box office hit is quite “bumpin”

 Panic! At The Disco – The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide is Press Coverage (Tommie Sunshine Brooklyn Fire Remix) -

Of the seemingly infintessimal amount of “Crazy” remixes, I have found this one to be the most fun. Defineately worth a look. 

Gnarls Barkley vs. The Trammps

 This is one of my new favorite DJ’s. He has some of the best mixes I have ever heard. Unfortuneately his CD has been sold out for forever.

My!Gay!Husband! – Hustlin vs. Godzilla

Mew has finally released their highly anticipated prog. rock album And the Glass Handed Kites. I really enjoyed this album so far, its definately worth a look. I can never stop reccomending Girl Talk and his new album Night Ripper (myspace.com/girltalkmusic). His fascinating beat matching skills are matched with songs everybody knows.

Gingers

Ok this is an abreviated form of my actual post which got deleted when clicked “save”. Go figure. I apologize in advance for any improper spellings and grammar, I’m going to try and sum up the jist of things as fast as possible because its now very late.

The post was along the lines of something like this:

My life has been dominated by gingers lately. Mostly because Tom Robbins has featured these lovely genetic strains in the 2 most recent books of his of which I have read. In Still Life with Woodpecker he features a pair of redheaded lovers who are come to the conclusion through various adventures and misadventures that redheads were banished from the planet Argon and were exterminated upon their arrival by a superior fair haired race. These “redbeards” are attempting to make a comeback through a genetic strain known to the common person as Ginger. His fascination with the carrot top crew continues in an essay Robbins writes an essay appropriately titled:”Redheads”. Robbins is what some people call obsessed with the female ginger. He sees their fire crotch as a birthright to be bitchy and sexually authorotative. His passion for their fire is quickly put out by his worries about their future.

I have to agree with his hypothesis that the general image of redheads has changed dramatically from the sexual desire he so eloquently describes to a more PG version. He refers to Pipi Longstalkings and her effect on the redhead image which has plagued the minds of millions of children.

For me its Arnold Perlstein from the Magic School Bus. Yes I’m talking about that carrot top kid who was always worried about getting into trouble and apparantly obsessed with rocks (http://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/home.htm). I will leave you with the same hope Robbins gives his readers about the future of the redhead image:

“Redheaded women! Those blood oranges! Those cherry bombs! Those celestial schrews and queens of copper! May they never cease to stain our white-bread lives with supernatural catsup.”