Music News & Notes

Sadly, The Beatles Now Available Digitally

I am torn whether to even post this, but it is the world we live in, and hopefully some one can be 'turned on' to the band's music with this new format. I say, if you want to hear the music the way it is supposed to be heard, BUY VINYL!

The legenday group's entire catalog can be purchased in Apple's iTunes Store. Each album comes with iTunes LP, which features additional content including lyrics, photos, and album art. A digital version of the Fab Four's entire body of work is also available for download for $149, and that comes with exclusive access to a video of the band's first U.S. concert, "Live at the Washington Coliseum, 1964." Single albums are priced at $12.99, double albums at $19.99. Singles will cost $1.29 each.

However, as bad as this may seem, there are several artists who take the album concept seriously and do not want them chopped up into singles.  Some of them include AC/DC, Def Leppard, Garth Brooks, Kid Rock, Bob Seger and Tool.  Kudos to them all!  But there is money to be made and I would imagine these holdouts will give in at some point in time.

A couple major acts bucked the digital trend for a while, Led Zeppelin and Radiohead, however Zeppelin finally relented in 2007, and Radiohead held out until 2008.

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British Sea Power To Release Fifth Album in January

British Sea Power have recently announced the details to their latest album. The fifth album from the six-piece group, 'Valhalla Rising,' will be released on Jan. 10 (a day later in the US - Rough Trade)

The LP will consist of 13 tracks and boast cover art featuring a nifty horse and triangle motif. Lead single "Living Is So Easy" is set to hit digital stores on Nov. 29. The track contains some typically eclectic lyrical themes along with hints of a new, synth-flavoured direction for the band. The group themselves describe the tune as offering "electronic keyboards, plus some Louis Vuitton and clay pigeons. It's a mixture of Serge Gainsbourg and Ralf and Florian-era Kraftwerk with a sprinkle of Stock, Aitken and Waterman. It's our most electronic song to date. This is the high life."





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Motion City Soundtrack Re-Release Album On Vinyl

Minneapolis pop punk outfit Motion City Soundtrack are set to release their classic album 'Commit This To Memory' on special edition vinyl.  The 2005 album was the band's sophomore full-length, and was produced by Blink 182 and +44's own Mark Hoppus. The 12" release is now available on a limited edition pink vinyl at Bluecollardistro.com, limited edition white vinyl at the official Epitaph Records webstore and on limited edition clear vinyl at Hot Topic stores in the US.







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A Skylit Drive reveal album title and artwork

Californian post-hardcore band A Skylit Drive have revealed some of the details of their upcoming album. The album, 'Identity On Fire,' and will be released in February 2011 (Fearless Records).

The band recorded the album with producer Cameron Webb (30 Seconds To Mars, Silverstein).










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The Boxer Rebellion To Release New Album

London-based alt-rockers The Boxer Rebellion are scheduled to release their third studio album on February 8, 2011. Created in conjunction with legendary producer Ethan Johns (Kings of Leon, Ryan Adams, Ray LaMontagne), 'The Cold Still' is an exercise in master class performances and dark, sophisticated songwriting from a band that embodies the very definition of "independent."










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Madball To Release empire On Special Red Vinyl

New York City hardcore legends MADBALL will be releasing Empire in a special red vinyl format on November 22nd, 2010. MADBALL unleashed Empire on CD on October 12th, 2010. Empire is available for purchase on disc and pre-order on vinyl now through the GOOD FIGHT MUSIC webstore, and a new limited edition Reaper Records 7” supporting Empire (only 2,000 copies being made), is available now!

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Macabre announce new album

Chicago metal band Macabre have announced a title and release date for their new album to celebrarate the 25th Anniversary of all original members. The record, 'Grim Scary Tales,' is set to be released on January 31st, 2011 (Hammerheart Records). The cover art will be an original concept by Scott Jackson from Monsterman Graphics & Rock N Roll Comics.