Guns N' Roses Update

Chinese Democracy

Release Date: TBD
Label: Geffen

It seems as if the wheels are turning. Albeit rather slowly, but turning regardless. Axl Rose (right) has become the only person in the world that can drag out an album for over a decade and still (most likely) sell millions of copies.

Granted, people get tired of his BS and even Dr. Pepper has apparently mocked GN'R by offering a free can of their soda to everyone in America (excluding former guitarists Slash and Buckethead) if the album is released within the 2008 calender year.

"It took a little patience to perfect Dr Pepper's special mix of 23 ingredients, which our fans have come to know and love," Dr Pepper director of marketing Jaxie Alt says. "So we completely understand and empathize with Axl's quest for perfection -- for something more than the average album. We know once it's released, people will refer to it as 'Dr Pepper for the ears' because it will be such a refreshing blend of rich, bold sounds - an instant classic."

This was back in March and still, no sign of an album yet.

Recently, however, it is reported that GN'R is negotiating with retailers, most notably Walmart (Hey look, no hyphen!) and Best Buy, to release Chinese Democracy as an exclusive to a particular store. Irving Azoff's Front Line Management is now representing the band and Azoff has pulled this kind of crap in the past. He released the Eagles' Long Road Out of Eden through Walmart in 2007 and I specifically remember losing a little respect for the legendary group when I heard the news.

Recently it has been confirmed that AC/DC's next album, Black Ice, will be released (October 20, 2008) through Walmart as well. I just don't get it. Best Buy maybe. But Walmart? Really? I understand that it's the biggest retailer in the world. Yeah, I get it. Walmart makes money. But does it make that much money? Does it make so much money that you can't release your album to everyone including Walmart? Enough ranting, back to the story.

As a side note, AC/DC's first single, "Rock 'N' Roll Train," will be released on August 28 so be prepared for that one.

I'll admit that I was excited to hear any piece of news about Chinese Democracy but this next bit is definitely the most promising.

I've checked my sources multiple times and it has been confirmed that Rock Band 2 will feature "Shackler's Revenge," a song straight from the upcoming album. This news alone has implications that the long-awaited Chinese Democracy should be released within the year. I sure hope so, I could use a Dr. Pepper.

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Nine Inch Nails - Free Download

The Slip

• Release Date: July 22, 2008
  
• Label: The Null Corp.

Most everyone is already aware of this freebie but just in case you haven't been online since May, Nine Inch Nails (aka Trent Reznor) has released The Slip on his website. The best part is, it's a free download.

If you're a fan of NIN that just happens to be broke (tuition's a bitch) then you should definitely take advantage of this. On the other hand, Reznor has also released a limited number (250,000 isn't very limited) of physical albums that include a DVD. I will occasionally pay for physical copies but now that most everything is as hit the digital age, I just skip that (while saving some much needed cash) and download the mp3 version. Don't worry about paying $17.99 for this one. The man with the cigar in his mouth counting his Benjamins won't get a dime. Reznor released this one all by his lonesome.

So go ahead, enjoy the free download. If you do end up buying the physical copy, let me know how the DVD is. I might be able to find $20 in my couch.

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Conor Oberst

Conor Oberst

• Release Date: August 5, 2008
• Label: Merge Records

It took 13 years, but Oberst has finally released his 4th solo album. Not much has changed since Bright Eyes' Cassadaga was released in April of 2007. Granted, hardly any album Oberst has made has deviated from his folk-indie roots (except for Digital Ash In a Digital Urn). A line from "Danny Callahan" proves that Oberst still has creative ways of getting his messages across. "We feign sickness with our modern joy." Conor has always had a way of hooking you with his lyrics before you even hear the melodies.

"Cape Canaveral," the opening track is a page straight out of 2005's I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning. The minimalistic guitar melody fused with lyrics such as "saw the migrants smoke in the old orange grove" start the album off in a nostalgic light.

"Lenders In the Temple" brings thoughts of solitude and despair, noting "I'd give a fortune to your infomercial if somebody would just take my call."

After hearing "Valle Mistico (Ruben's Song)," which is nothing but a pointless instrumental break, I was concerned with how the record would end.

The final two tracks, "Souled Out!!!" and "Milk Thistle," relieved me of my worries and completed one of 2008's top albums with this line: "If I go to heaven, I'll be bored as hell/Like a crying baby at the bottom of a well."

A few of the Bright Eyes cast joined him on his self-titled solo album, most notably Nate Walcott. The others, consisting of Jason Boesel, Nik Freitas, Taylor Hollingsworth, and Macey Taylor call themselves The Mystic Valley Band.

I have to admit, I'm a sucker for 3 things. Beautiful eyes, Seinfeld, and moving lyrics. Although the formers are irrelevant, the latter plays out perfectly. This album couldn't have been written or produced any better. If this were an algebra class, the formula for this would be I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning + (Cassadaga - the over-production) = Conor Oberst.


Final Rating: 8.5/10

Tour Dates
Lyrics


Souled Out!!!

Related Artists:
Bright Eyes
Commander Venus
Desaparecidos
Kevin Devine
The Good Life
Neva Dinova
Son, Ambulance


Note: Clicking the album art will take you to Conor's website. There is a music player that allows full-length track listening.

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RSS Breakdown

What is RSS?

RSS (Rich Site Summary) is a way to deliver regularly changing web content. It's basically syndication. Remember how Family Guy started on Fox and now it can be seen on TBS? That's syndication. The new episodes are still airing on Fox (I think) and once those air, all of the other channels can use it, too. In television, there is a substantial delay. With RSS, however, there is virtually no delay.


What do I need?

Internet. That's all you need to view RSS feeds. Now, if you want to view all of them at the same time, you might want to look into RSS readers. These programs (or sites) compile each of your subscribed feeds and make it easier to navigate, read, and even respond to them.


How do I add feeds?

It's simple. Click the button. If you'll look to the right of these words, you'll see a section labeled SUBSCRIBE. Simply click the button of the service you use (or plan to use) and then subscribe. Good luck and I hope to see you again. Subscribers get a free download!

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