It’s been a while since I did one of these. Here’s an update to some past Popservations.
Throw that beat in the garbage can?: Got some promo CDs you’d like to sell? On Tuesday, a federal judge affirmed your right to do whatever you’d like with such discs under the first sale doctrine, throwing out Universal Music Group’s lawsuit against Troy Augusto. Augusto had been selling promo CDs on eBay before UMG sued, claiming copyright infringement.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) helped represent Augusto. “This is a very important ruling for consumers, and not just those who buy or sell used CDs,” said EFF Staff Attorney Corynne McSherry. “The right of first sale also protects libraries, used bookstores, and businesses that rent movies and videogames. This ruling affirms and protects the traditional balance between the rights of copyright owners and the rights of the public.” Score one for the music fan! Peruse the press release.
Hear here: Kylie Minogue: Antipathetic Americans be damned, Kylie’s latest, X, is still one of the better releases this year. It’s only been out a couple of months, so there’s still time for radio programmers to wise up and rise up, and enjoy the hits of X.
Nearly any of its songs would be the perfect addition to a summer soundtrack. Since I’ve previously pimped “In My Arms” here, how ’bout “Wow”?
As for Kylie’s collaboration with labelmates Coldplay, “Lunar” isn’t among the tracks on the band’s Viva La Vida, out Tuesday. Deemed “too sexy” by Chris Martin, the frontman says to look for it late next year.
Block party: New Kids On The Block kick off their reunion tour this fall with a new album, but preview single “Summertime” has been out since May. The breezy sweet nothing is slowing working its way up the charts (#74 on the Billboard Hot 100, #36 Pop).
Hear here: The Ting Tings: You heard ‘em here first, long before the ubiquitous iPod ad (“Shut Up And Let Me Go”), and now The Ting Tings’ debut album is out everywhere (following an under-the-radar premiere on iTunes). We Started Nothing is a fun pop patchwork of musical styles: The stomping “Shut Up” lifts a riff from Franz Ferdinand’s “Take Me Out” (I hear The Cure’s “Hot Hot Hot,” too); “Keep Your Head” echoes New Order (and Pete Townsend’s “Let My Love Open The Door”); while the fantastically twee “Traffic Light” finds lead singer Katie White channeling Harriet Wheeler of The Sundays.
