Category: Music

What Is The Song Of The Summer Of 2002?
Who will let the dogs out this year? In the race to steal the summer’s airwaves, there’s always one break-out single that finds its way into every nightclub, car, shop and ballpark in town.
So far this year, it’s shaping up to be a battle between Eminem’s “Without Me” and Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” off “Nellyville.”
Eminem seems to be king of the hill for the moment, though the overall race is too close to call.
Of course, there’s the chance that neither could win.
Elvis Presley’s “A Little Less Conversation,” the G-rated dance remix of a 1968 tune, grabbed the top of the charts in London and got big radio play in North America last week.
Watch out, Elvis is in the building.

Record sales really are stuck in a downward groove
In record sales, last year’s down is starting to look up. Mid-year totals point to a far sharper decline than the 3% dip in 2001, the first no-growth year since Nielsen SoundScan began tabulating sales in 1991.
As of June 23, retailers had sold 299.2 million albums, compared with 331.4 million during the same period in 2001, a 9.7% drop. The total for albums and singles: 305.7 million, a 12% drop. The picture darkens against figures from 2000. This year’s haul trails by 18% against the 372.6 million copies tallied by June 25, 2000.
“What we saw at the end of 2001 isn’t as alarming as what we’re seeing now,” says Geoff Mayfield, Billboard ‘s director of charts. “Last year’s decline had more to do with the cassette dying out than anything else. Except for Easter, there hasn’t been a week where business was up over the same week in 2001, and that’s far more disturbing than the decline of one configuration.”
Despite predictable sales spikes, starting with this week’s expected opening figure of 500,000-plus for rapper Nelly’s Nellyville, a recovery by year’s end, even to a break-even point with 2001, “is a long shot,” Mayfield says. “The easiest thing to blame is CD burning, but we may be fighting more than one demon.”
Mayfield compares the current nose-dive to the early ’80s, when a dreary economy, rapid extinction of the eight-track and a dearth of fresh sounds contributed to a pop music crisis.
Evidence that the lack of compelling music is a culprit today can be found in the proliferation of oldies on non-oldies radio stations. “I’m getting the sense that programmers think the old stuff is better than the new stuff,” says Airplay Monitor editor Sean Ross. “During the top-40 doldrums of ’92, you had records by Nir vana, Snoop Dogg and others selling without airplay. There was a feeling that something was going on. There’s not that feeling this year.”
More indications of a slump:
* Fewer runaway hits. Eminem’s The Eminem Show is the 2002 leader with 3.3 million copies, trailed by Alan Jackson’s Drive with 2.2 million and three discs at 2 million each: the ninth volume of Now That’s What I Call Music!, O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Celine Dion’s A New Day Has Come. Only 20 albums this year have registered sales of 1 million or more, compared with 34 at this time last year.
* Softer sales at the top. Billboard’s top 10, typically stacked with brand names that serve as retail magnets, shows a weakening punch. In early May, when Big Tymer’s Hood Rich entered the chart at No. 1, the top 10 accounted for sales of 1 million albums. The comparable week in 2001 yielded a top-10 tally of 1.8 million.
The industry’s growing conservatism and reluctance to gamble on innovative artists or pour dollars into promotion make recovery unlikely anytime soon.
“There’s definitely been a scaling back and a tendency among labels to believe they can save their way to prosperity, which isn’t likely to happen,” Ross says.

George Michael on Dangerous Ground with New Song
British singer George Michael releases his latest single on Monday and admits the political satire is his most controversial career move to date.
“Shoot the Dog,” in which the singer presents his views on the state of world affairs, is openly critical of the “special” relationship between President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
“I know this is dangerous territory,” he told the Mirror newspaper on the eve of the song’s release. “But I really feel this is such a serious time for us all that being silent is not an option.”
The song, which was originally written before the September 11 attacks on the United States but shelved until now, is an attempt by Michael to get people thinking about what is really happening in the world.
He said his inspiration came from watching late-night news shows on television.
“I noticed a lot of stuff about the growing fear of a war between the secular world and the fundamentalist world,” he told the tabloid.
“The more I learned, the more fearful I became. And I simple wanted to write a song that said to everybody, ‘people lets be aware of this situation and understand that there are some very pissed off people out there’.”
“Shoot the Dog” also takes a critical pop at Bush and Blair, labelling the British prime minister “a poodle.”
The cartoon video sees Bush on the White House lawn petting a smiling poodle-shaped Blair and also depicts the two leaders dancing the tango, Blair in a flowing dress.
The song’s release is bound to spark controversy and by the singer’s own admission could “make my experience with a certain policeman in Los Angeles look like a tea party.”
It was in 1998 that Michael was arrested in an LA toilet after exposing himself to a police officer.
That incident provided a much needed boost to his flagging pop career, but the singer is less than confident that his new song will have the same effect.
“I’ve been advised that radio stations which rely on government licenses might ban it,” he said. “It could get slated, it could land me right in the shit. But I hope it just gets people debating.”

They Must Need The Money!
Pete Townshend and Roger Daltery, the remaining members of The Who, have decided to carry on with their tour despite the death on Thursday of bass player John Entwistle.
The replacement used to tour with Paul Young.

You Can Dance If You Want To
Men Without Hats is currently looking for 2 new members to do some live shows starting probably not before next year (2003). Male or female. Age is not a factor. You must not be a slob and have a good appearance.
Are you qualified?

Weezer Collaborate With Kermit The Frog, Miss Piggy
Weezer have teamed up with Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo the Great, Pepe the King Prawn and the rest of the Muppets in their video for “Keep Fishin’,” the band’s second single from Maladroit.
In the clip, Weezer are guests on “The Muppet Show,” and, Muppets being Muppets, hilarity ensues. The “Keep Fishin’ ” video features a Muppet chorus singing backup, running commentary from Statler and Waldorf, a trip to Beaker and Bunsen’s lab, and some “quality time” spent backstage with Miss Piggy, according to a spokesperson for the Jim Henson Company.
“Keep Fishin’ ” was directed by veteran Weezer auteur Marcos Siega, the man behind the “Dope Nose,” “Hash Pipe” and “Island in the Sun (Version 1)” videos. Weezer, Siega and the Henson Company staff shot the clip June 18-19 at a Manhattan Beach, California, soundstage.
For Weezer, working with Henson Studios was a chance to live out a childhood fantasy. “Being a guest on ‘The Muppet Show’ was a childhood dream we all shared, so we were ecstatic when the Muppets agreed to be in our video for ‘Keep Fishin’,’ ” Weezer said in an official statement. “The Muppets can really rock!”
The Muppets themselves praised the band. “Weezer fit right in,” Kermit the Frog said in a statement. “They’re rock stars, they’re used to being around animals, bears and egotistical pigs.” Weezer now join the ranks of such musicians as Elton John, Alice Cooper, Debbie Harry and John Denver, who’ve all been guests on “The Muppet Show.”

Papa Roach Comes In At Number Two Behind Eminem
Papa Roach’s second major-label effort, Lovehatetragedy, has debuted at Number Two on the Billboard 200 album sales chart, with more than 135,000 copies sold, according to sources. The showing was just good enough to nudge Korn’s Untouchables down to Number Three, but not nearly enough to challenge Eminem ( news – web sites)’s juggernaut The Eminem Show from the top spot. More than 380,000 copies of Eminem’s latest were sold during the week.
While the first-week success of Lovehatetragedy bodes well for Papa Roach, only time will tell if they will be able to duplicate the triple-platinum sales of its predecessor, Infest, which was propelled by the hit single, “Last Resort.”
Several other rock releases saw solid debuts this week. Coming in at Number Nine is Our Lady Peace’s Gravity, while Degradation Trip, the latest from former Alice In Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell, entered at Number 33. Meanwhile, the Warped Tour 2002 Tour Compilation, featuring Sum 41, NoFX, and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, debuted at Number 55 and Paul Oakenfold’s Bunkka came in at Number 65.

Shania Twain Back In The Studio
Uber- babe Shania Twain is once again working on her upcoming album with her producer husband Mutt Lange in their Swiss studio.
“Shania’s album is currently in the works and is tentatively scheduled for release later this fall with a single released to radio prior to the album,” the singer’s record label said. “No official dates have been set at this time.”
If it all pans out and Twain’s first studio album in five years does come out this fall, the new work will be released amidst long-awaited releases from other country superstars like Faith Hill and the Dixie Chicks.

Courtney gives ex-Nirvana members proposal
The battle for the control of Nirvana’s musical legacy may be heading into extra innings, after Courtney Love’s latest proposal to break the stalemate.
MTV reports Love — widow of Nirvana leader Kurt Cobain — has issued a new proposal to her late husband’s bandmates, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, in an attempt to resolve the impasse over how to control future Nirvana releases.
The report said Love’s side has proposed that, for the next 10 years, no new Nirvana material could be released unless Grohl, Novoselic and Cobain’s estate (i.e., Love) unanimously agree.
Under the deal, Cobain’s estate would control all licensing of Nirvana’s music for movies and commercials, but Grohl and Novoselic would have veto over licensing for the next 10 years. The estate would also control use of Nirvana’s name, likeness and image for any documentary films based on the band. Love would also control the hiring of lawyers and accountants working in the band’s interest — although, again, Novoselic and Grohl would have veto on any hirings for the next 10 years, MTV said.
Under the current arrangement, control of Nirvana’s music is under an equal partnership agreement Novoselic, Grohl and Love signed after Cobain’s suicide. Disputes over the arrangement led to the cancellation of a planned Nirvana box set of unreleased material. Love has instead insisted on releasing a single CD best-of, featuring “You Know You’re Right” — reportedly the last song the band recorded before Cobain’s death.
Love sued in May, 2001 to dissolve the partnership, claiming it is “non-functional.” All sides claim they want “You Know You’re Right” released in some form by the end of the year.

This Day Has A Slew Of New Discs
Nelly, SheDaisy, Fatboy Slim, Boy George, Rollins Band and Reel Big Fish all have new music in stores today, but who cares! There is a new CD now available from “Nice Beaver”!
Can you imagine the question that will be asked of hundreds of record store employees today…Umm, excuse me. Where can I find (a) Nice Beaver? And the (a) will be said under the speaker’s breath.
Ahhh, I sure don’t miss working in a music store.
Hee hee hee! Here are the new CD releases for Tuesday, June 25, 2002
Alpha Blondy Merci (Shanachie)
Arkham Mahkra (Volcom)
Ash Free All Angels (Kinetic)
B Rich 80 Dimes (clean & explicit versions) (Atlantic)
Ray Brown Some of My Best Friends Are…Guitarists (Telarc Jazz)
Marc Copley Limited Lifetime Guarantee (RCA)
Cynics Turn Me Loose (Get Hip)
Deep Banana Blackout Release the Grease – Live (DCN)
The Domino Kings The Back of Your Mind (Slewfoot)
Dream Evil Dragonslayer (Century Media)
E40 Grit & Grind (Jive)
Entwine Time of Despair (Century Media)
Epidemic Epidemic (Elektra)
Fatboy Slim Live on Brighton Beach (Southern Fried/Ministry of Sound)
Boy George Night Out (Moonshine)
David Grisman Quintet Dawgnation (Acoustic Disc)
Halford Crucible (Sanctuary)
Steve Harvey Sign of Things to Come (MCA)
Her Sanity Xclusive (Motown)
Home Grown Kings of Pop (Drive-Thru/MCA)
Kenna New Sacred Cow (Geffen)
Steve Lawler Lights Out (Global Underground)
Arto Lindsay Invoke (Righteous Babe)
The Loud Family From Ritual to Romance (125)
Manifesto Jukebox Remedy (BYO)
Maroon5 (formerly Karaís Flowers) Songs About Jane (Octone)
Heather Myles Sweet Talk & Good Lies (Dwight Yoakum guests) (Rounder)
Andy Narell Sakesho (Telarc Jazz)
Nelly Nellyville (clean & explicit versions) (Universal)
Nice Beaver On Dry Land (Cyclops)
Off by One Off by One (MCA)
Onyx Bacdafucup: Part 2 (Kela/Koch)
Orange Goblin Coup de Grace (produced by Kyussí Scott Reeder and guesting John Garcia) (The Music Cartel)
Original Sinners (Xís Exene Cervenka) Original Sinners (Nitro)
Kelly Price Priceless (Def Jam)
Rayvon My Bad (clean & explicit versions) (MCA)
Reel Big Fish Cheer Up (Jive)
Rollins Band The Only Way to Know for Sure (two CDs) (Sanctuary)
The Rooks From the Shelves of Soundscape Studio (Not Lame)
Rosey Dirty Child (Island)
Joe Satriani Strange Beautiful Music (Robert Fripp guests) (Epic)
Saving Throw Weíre Never on Good Terms with the Light (Enterprise Hardcore)
Seven Nations And Now Itís Come to This (Razor & Tie)
SheDAISY Knock on the Sky (Lyric Street)
Skeleton Key Obtainium (Ipecac)
Anthony Smith If That Ainít Country (Mercury Nashville)
Soulfly 3 (Roadrunner)
Styles A Gangster and a Gentleman (clean & explicit versions) (Interscope)
Sweep the Leg Johnny Going Down Swinginí (Southern)
Geoff Tate (of Queensrˇche) Geoff Tate (Sanctuary)
TRUSTcompany The Lonely Position of Neutral (Geffen)
Truth Hurts Truthfully Speaking (clean & explicit versions) (Geffen)
Vida Blue (Phishís Page McConnell) Vida Blue (Elektra)
Wayne Warner Wayne Warner (B-Venterous/Relentless/Nashville)
Kenny Wayne 88th & Jump Street (w/Jeff Healey and Mel Brown) (Electro-Fi)
Yousef Mixer Presents Next School (DMC)
Various Artists The Music of Eric Von Essen, Volume 3 (Cryptogramophone)
Various Artists Nobodyís Diary: A Tribute to Yazoo (w/Ganymede, Spray and others) (Ninthwave)
Various Artists Punk-O-Rama 7 (Epitaph)
Various Artists Sample This, Too! (BYO)
Original Soundtrack A Beautiful Mind (SACD; score by James Horner) (Universal Classics)
Original Soundtrack Men in Black II (Columbia)
Original Soundtrack Monsoon Wedding 2 (score by Mychael Danna) (Milan)
Original Soundtrack Sunshine State (Daring/Rounder)
Original Soundtrack The Road to Perdition (Decca)