It honestly seems like the Feds could break our door down at any minute and haul us off to jail for downloading free music. Plus, thanks to well-paid lawyers and filthy rich record executives, you also have to worry about getting sued for some pathetic Britney Spears single that you downloaded from Napster back in college! While the iPod and increasing number of companies offering legal music downloads (for a fee, of course) appear to show that consumers still want their MP3s, the truth is that you should be leery of the words “free” and “MP3″ appearing together on a website.
Well, free downloads brought down Napster and they’re illegal – why even risk it?
Actually, that’s not true. Napster fell from grace and had to start charging for downloads because people were swapping entire CDs on the site. Now in all honesty, the system was abused, which is what caused the lawsuits in the first place. Plus, and I know this is getting technical, Napster allowed “swapping” of MP3 files, not downloading.
So file swapping, which costs nothing, and free MP3 music downloads are different…do explain!
With file swapping, two people were exchanging songs that had to first be purchased (at some point) at a store. When the song or CD was purchased, the record company got their cut, the musicians made their money, and a whole lot of record store clerks and warehouse people had jobs, as well. Swapping cut everyone out of that loop so that all lost money – lots of it – except Napster, which made a killing off of advertising. But free MP3 music downloads are offered by artists, and sanctioned by music companies, as a way of attracting new fans. One is stealing, while the other is marketing.
There has to be a catch…nothing is free!
Well, as I said, free MP3 music downloads are about promoting an artist, and getting them some exposure that would not be possible otherwise. But there are some things to watch out for when
WARNING: This pop gem will be filed neatly in your ‘Guilty Pleasure’ file. Sky Ferreira is a 18-year-old kid who has written songs for some girl called Britney Spears and used to hang around with some geezer called Michael Jackson. Grrrr we so wanted to hate the little brat!
One is electropop and is a brilliantly robotic (which sometimes sounds like the record has got stuck) short and instantly likeable pop tune. You will dance the robot in your bedrooms…but then you’ll need a bath after feeling a bit dirty for doing so. Pop music CAN be pretty damn good sometimes. But have Electric Banana gone completely nuts? Will we look back on this selection of ‘Single of the Week’ with shame? One would hope not.
Rated 4 out of 5
HURTS – Wonderful Life
Manchester band Hurts are reviving British synth-pop, a genre that’s been long-gone since the terrible days of shoulder pads! Sure, Hurts don’t come dressed like your Aunt Edna like their musical heroes, but rather a slick, full-suited look mixed with a hint of (gulp) Bros!
Having raped the 1980s completely, they should surely be given a 1 star out of 5 review and be told to “do one”? Wrong. Sure, the snobby critics will give it a tough ride, but with a video directly out of Robert Palmer school of 1980s sexism combined with classic sultry electro, we just couldn’t bring ourselves to give it a mighty rollicking.
Rated 4 out of 5
BRANDON FLOWERS – Crossfire
Killers’ frontman Brandon Flowers dips his toe into the solo waters with his first single. Taken from his upcoming album Flamingo, Crossfire is Flowers “playing it safe” with the signature Killer sound – soaring vocals, 80’s rock influences and heavy bass.
The track starts off with the aformentioned nice heavy bass-line, but then sadly launches into an early 90s Bon Jovi track tribute during the chorus. However, for Killers’ fans and people who like to hear their music in big stadiums, then I suppose this ticks all the right boxes. It just needs something extra to make sure Flowers’ solo career is going to flower.
Rated 3 out of 5
BIFFY CLYRO – God and Satan
Dave Grohl, the former Nirvana drummer has always exhibited a fine ear for enormous pop hooks, and with the Foo Fighters has enjoyed considerable chart success. Here he continues to….hang on a flippin’ minute, this is Biffy Clyro! Our apologies.
Oh how we jest with you! This is soft acoustic plucking and strumming that is a far departure from Biffy’s original raw stuff and has added strings that will have the band’s old fans holding their poor heads in their hands. Bless them. Quite nice with rubbish lyrics, but just don’t use the term “commercial sell-out b*stards” in front of Simon Neil – as he will rip your throat out. Probably.
Rated 3 out of 5
FREELANCE WHALES – Hannah
Full marks for the name, the New York-based five-piece Freelance Whales had enjoyed a smooth ride into the critics hearts…until their debut album came out and was (quite rightly) harpooned by some journos.
This is all Postal Service/Owl City soft synths and toy box electronica mix with plucked guitar and banjo to keep the songs ticking over with nary a misplaced note. This type of thing was done a lot better by the Postal Service (who still remain critically underrated) back in 2003 – who proved you can make a decent record with a laptop.
Rated 3 out of 5
THE PRETTY RECKLESS – Miss Nothing
Taylor Momsen is a visually exciting 17-year-old actress who portrays the character Jenny Humphrey on television series Gossip Girl. She also does a passable impression of everyone’s favourite female nutjob Courtney Love here.
This one’s loaded with Hole’s rock chick angst and another killer chorus. She may be able to leave the day job if she release stuff like this. Although, the whole angst thing is hard to believe going from a rich and visually exciting teenager. If you can ignore this and are fond of the musical output of Avril Lavigne etc, then you might like it.
3 out of 5
AGGRO SANTOS – Saint or Sinner
From Balham, South London, Aggro Santos’ debut single Candy ft Kimberly Wyatt went straight in at #5 in the UK charts, and remained in the top 5 for 5 weeks, selling in excess of 200,000 records. This offering will only enhance his commercial clout.
The female vocals make this almost passable – but it still sounds like the kind of thing that ruffians who drink Stella in nightclubs and enjoy punching people in the face would enjoy. So, if you are a sinner and like clubbing, then you’ll love a bit of Aggro.
Rated 2 out of 5
TAIO CRUZ – Dynamite
Taio Cruz has written songs for Cheryl Cole, JLS, The Wanted, The Saturdays and McFly. He is still at large and is a major threat to the respectability of British popular music. If you see this man within one mile of a recording studio or any form of musical instrument, then please contact the music police immediately.
The text on the front of the CD really should say ‘Taio Cruz ft. Autotune’, as autotune is smothered all over Dynamite like a rubbish bomb disposal expert. Horrible. Sounds like Usher. Dynamite? More like a wet fire cracker.
Rated 1 out of 5
Andrew Parker is the editor of the Midlands online music magazine Electric Banana, who have the latest single reviews updated weekly. The site also has the latest album reviews and Mildands gig guide.
I own the album Flamingo since today so I thought it would be nice to give you the cance to listen to the songs, too. There was the whole album on Youtube but I don’t own the copyright so they already closed half of the videos and maybe soon there will be nothing left. So enjoy!!!
Okay, let us go! Come on now! Get that abs and back working! What that are feel amazing? Okay, stop! Does anyone recognize this story? I know I do. It is the pretty much the same as thing on every exercise and fitness show I have ever seen. There is always some man or woman in good shape, screaming at you with a grin on their face. Do you know why they are grinning? Well, one reason is that they are making oodles of cash. However, do you know the other reason they are grinning? I will tell you why because it is easy for them. Come on! They have done that same routine a million times before. Therefore, while you are struggling with it, they are barely breaking a sweat. This can be annoying. That is why I avoid exercise shows. What I prefer is a tad more personal. I like to get my own equipment, learn proper form, and exercise alone. Oh, but I do have to have my booming exercise music. It gets me fired up.
When you think of exercise, what comes to mind? For me it is weight training. I can really get into this fitness. There is just something about benching more than you actually weigh. It feels good and reminds you that you are strong. However, when I go all out with my weight training, I require some hardcore exercise music. Now when I say exercise music, I am not talking about that girly garbage they played on “Flash dance.” I am talking about some rip-roaring rock. I want stuff like Rob Zombie screaming about being more human than human. I want “Disturbed” raging at the top of their lungs. I need some heavy-duty exercise music that is going to push me harder and harder. I need a reason to shove that 250-pound bar off my chest. I want motivation. I want to be in the zone. Can you hear what I am saying?
Therefore, it has clearly been established that there are different sorts of exercise music. There is stuff for people and then there is that Britney Spears trash. No, this is just joking! It is not trash to some folks. However, it is just not quite enough to get me psyched and ready for some serious lifting. If you would like a variety of popular exercise music, you can always check out the broad selection on the web. Try Amazon.com and you cannot be disappoint.
