| CMU Daily - on the inside Tuesday 30th May |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- Sanctuary board remove chief executive Taylor
- Desmond Dekker dies
- Gorky's Zygotic Mynci split
- Kooks, Lightbody back Save The Children campaign
- Radiohead deny Cameron request
- Album review: Pez - Tsu Ku Shi N Bow
- Anderson releases solo album
- Belle & Sebastian cover Stewart
- Jackson thanks fans for support
- Album review: Stephen Dale Petit - Guitararama
- Kylie confirmed for Glasto, we think
- The Who tour kicks off in Leeds
- Chart update
- This Week's Student Radio Chart
- Subshot playlist
- Total Rock world album chart
- CMU radio show
- Single review: Joan As Police Woman - The Ride
- China step up piracy penalties
- OfCom boss to stand down
- RadioCentre announce new CEO
- Channel 4 launch new live music show
- Radio station dumps Blunt
- Album review: The Spinto Band - Nice And Nicely Done
- Babyshambles studio time
- Neil Tennant likes Robbie collaborations
- Stefani gives birth
- A pretty poor Celeb X-Factor update
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TOP BIT>>
Now, thanks to those banks and their insistence on having holidays, this Tuesday is, in many ways, a Monday by a different name (don't worry, there'll be none of those pesky bank holidays until the end of August now, phew). But not everything about a Monday is bad. Oh no, because it means there's a new edition of the CMU radio show online later today. So, despite the fact the local 24/7 Asda was shut this morning when I called in for coffee at 6am, and despite the fact our kettle's just died, and despite the fact it's really rather chilly this morning, and despite the fact we won't get another long weekend for three months, take heart at the fact you can surf on over to http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk/cmuradio later today and enjoy Chris and Caro nattering about Kaiser Chiefs, The Killers, Green Day, Arctic Monkeys, Morrissey, Eurovision, Mojo Awards, Polar Music Prize, plagiarism and EMI's pots of cash. Oh yes, and there's lots of great music too - as listed down below in this here edition of the CMU Daily.
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EVENTS N STUFF>>
*** BRANDS, BANDS & AUDIENCES 7th June 2006, The Waldorf, London
Do you want to secure global brand partnerships? Are you looking at new media as an extra revenue driver? Do you want to meet leading brands, music labels, new media giants, and those with the knowledge to help drive the profile of your music? Emap's one day event - Brands, Bands & Audiences - in association with Kerrang, Audience, Smash Hits, Media & Marketing Europe, In the City, Record Of The Day, Kiss, Magic, Q, and Mojo IS THE ONE PLACE to gain expert advice from all sectors of the industry. Can you afford to miss out? Full info at http://www.mandmeurope.com/brandsandbands
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RIGHT NOW IN THE CMU BEATS BAR>>
MySpace Of The Day: Lazy B
I am almost positive that this isn't an official MySpace, because it lacks pretty much everything other than one track streaming, and from what I know about Lazy B, if they'd gone to the effort of creating a MySpace, they'd have gone to the effort of filling it with fun stuff. And there's at least one more unofficial looking MySpace for these guys too - that one doesn't even publish its MySpace URL let alone anything else. But what the hell, this is a brilliant track that is released in the UK, at long last, this week, so I figure I should point you in the direction of somewhere you can go and listen to it. Lazy B is the new name for what we used to call the Other Lazyboy (they've tweaked their name for the UK release so not to be confused with the also wonderful Rob da Bank / Mr Dan outfit), and the track that is both streaming here and is out this week is the excellent Greg Giraldo sampling 'Underwear Goes Inside the Pants'. We were talking about this quite a bit when it first surfaced a year or so ago, and we've played it on the radio show a few times, but if you are yet to hear it, may we suggest you go here right now?
http://www.myspace.com/lazyboy2006
More on today's MySpace Of The Day at http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk
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SANCTUARY BOARD REMOVE CHIEF EXECUTIVE TAYLOR
As mentioned in a 'breaking news' fashion last Friday, Sanctuary Group have announced they have "removed" Group Chief Executive Andy Taylor from both his CEO role and his position as a director of the company. I think this is city code for "we've sacked him", but don't quote me on that. Frank Presland of Twenty-First Artists, which Sanctuary acquired last year, will take on the CEO role until the end of the year when the position will be reviewed.
In a statement to the City, Sanctuary's board said that Taylor had been removed because they had reached the "conclusion that certain of the prior year adjustments made in the 2005 accounts should have been presented as a correction of fundamental errors and not as changes in accounting policy". That conclusion was reached after the company's Board reviewed its 2005 financial statements in response to questions raised by the UK's regulatory Financial Reporting Review Panel.
The Board continued: "As a result of this review, the Board confirms that the accounting policies adopted by the Company in the 2005 financial statements in respect of the items under review were appropriate and no adjustments are required to be made to the consolidated balance sheet of the Group as at 30 September 2005 as a result of the review. The P&L account for the year to 30 September 2005 may be adjusted as a result of certain exceptional items being recognised in prior years". But no one heard that bit, they were too busy gossiping about Taylor's departure.
It's a departure, after all, which means the end of an era at the once mighty independent music company. Taylor co-founded Sanctuary with Rod Smallwood in 1976, rising to prominence a few years later through their management of Iron Maiden. Smallwood stood down from the Sanctuary board last year as the company tried to combat its financial woes. With neither Taylor nor Smallwood now on the board, while Sanctuary will no doubt survive its recent financial hardships, it may prove to be a very different company as it moves forward.
Bob Ayling, the Group's recently appointed chairman, welcomed the appointment of Presland to the role of Chief Executive at the company, telling reporters: "I am delighted that Frank Presland has agreed to step up to the role of CEO. He is a hugely experienced and respected industry figure and knows the Group well. He will help drive the business to deliver appropriate levels of performance."
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DESMOND DEKKER DIES
Reggae star Desmond Dekker died suddenly last week, from a heart attack, at the age of 64. He was at his home in Surrey when he collapsed. Dekker, who gave his last concert on 11 May, was scheduled to play a number of European dates this summer, including the Respect Festival in Prague. The singer's manager, Delroy Williams told reporters that Dekker had seemed in good health when he had last seen him, the day before his death. Williams added: "I don't think I will ever get over this."
Dekker is, of course, best known for his 1969 hit 'Israelites', the first reggae song ever to top the UK chart. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, he began his working life as a welder before making a fulltime career of singing. His band, Desmond Dekker And The Aces, had hits with 'It Mek' and '007 (Shanty Town)', as well as the aforementioned 'Israelites'. In the seventies he moved to the UK, later recording a new hit 'You Can Get It If You Really Want'. His popularity sadly waned during the eighties and the singer was declared bankrupt in 1984, but he experienced something of a revival in the nineties when a new version of 'Israelites' was released and used in TV ads.
Paying tribute to Dekker, reggae DJ Daddy Ernie, of London's Choice FM, said: "Any history book that you pick up on reggae, Desmond Dekker's name will have to be in there. People like Desmond Dekker only come along once in a lifetime. This is one of the pioneers that has passed away - his place is definitely cemented in reggae history."
Mark Lamarr, who presents a reggae show on Radio 2, said: "He probably was the first reggae superstar to have hits outside Jamaica in the US and UK. I saw him live dozens of times and he couldn't do a bad show - he was always magnificent."
Manager Williams said: "Desmond was the first legend, believe it or not. When he released 'Israelites' nobody had heard of Bob Marley - he paved the way for all of them. He was at his peak fitness, he had this big tour coming up for this summer and he was looking forward to it - and then that was it. He died peacefully but it still hurts. I was his manager and his best friend. I don't think anyone knew how close we were - we go back so far. I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye properly."
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GORKY'S ZYGOTIC MYNCI SPLIT
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci have announced that they have split up. The band released the news via a statement on their official website, posted Friday, which read "Gorky's Zygotic Mynci have decided to call it a day and split up. Richard, Megan, Euros and Pete would like to thank everyone who came to the gigs and bought the records over the years. The re-issues of the first three Gorky's albums - 'Patio', 'Tatay', and 'Bwyd Time' - will go ahead as planned and will be released before late 2006." Lead singer Euros Childs as well as guitarist Richard James have, of course, already gone solo, both releasing albums in 2006.
Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens, a big fan of the band, called the split "a shame", but added that he is sure that the break-up is amicable. "All good things must come to an end. But they'll still be friends. Nothing nasty will have happened between them. It is a shame but their back catalogue is massive - an incredibly diverse and eclectic collection. They were always criminally-ignored by the music industry. They are an amazing band. In my opinion they are one of the best bands Britain has ever produced."
The Welsh band formed back in 1991 when the members were still at school and when vocalist Childs was just fifteen years old. They recorded nine studio albums, and released a singles collection in 2003.
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KOOKS, LIGHTBODY BACK SAVE THE CHILDREN CAMPAIGN
The Kooks and Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody are amongst celebrities lining up to support a new campaign for free healthcare in Africa spearheaded by Save The Children. The group are to call on leaders to deliver on pledges made at last year's G8 summit, and will publish a new report which will reveal how many African children die every year because they can't afford medical attention.
Other celebrities backing the 'Ouch' campaign include former UN human rights commissioner Mary Robinson, ex-ER actress Alex Kingston and Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq. The aforementioned Gary Lightbody said: "I can't imagine what it must be like for families having to choose between putting food on the table or seeing the doctor. In this day and age we have to put a stop to it."
The campaign is urging people to show their support by texting the word "Ouch" to 88600 (standard rates apply), to form part of a petition to be presented to Tony Blair ahead of this year's G8 in St Petersburg in July. Joe Barrell, from Save the Children, says: "World leaders made promises - and as Nelson Mandela recently said: 'Promises to children should never be broken'."
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RADIOHEAD DENY CAMERON REQUEST
Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood have denied claims that they included 'Fake Plastic Trees' in their recent KoKo set because it had been requested by Tory leader David Cameron. Cameron was in attendance at the Yorke/Greenwood show back on 1 May because [a] he's a big Radiohead fan, and [b] it was a Friends Of The Earth Benefit show and, as you all know, Dave is currently traveling aboard the green bandwagon.
Speaking to Sue Lawley on Radio 4's 'Desert Island Discs' this weekend, Cameron revealed that in his reply to an invite to attend the benefit event he wrote a PS requesting they play his favourite song 'Fake Plastic Trees' (one of Cam's Desert Island Discs, fyi), and when they did he assumed they had done so for him.
But a spokesman for Yorke and Greenwood yesterday told the Independent they had done no such thing, rather they chose which songs to perform based on which would work best with just the two of them playing. Spokesperson: "The set list was chosen to reflect the fact that it was just Thom and Jonny playing and the choice of songs was what they wanted to play - nothing to do with any special requests."
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ALBUM REVIEW: Pe'z - Tsu Ku Shi N Bow (Roadrunner)
A Japanese jazz band that mix ska and samba? Who in their right mind would say no to that? This quintet have already found acclaim in their native land, and fingers crossed they might just do so here too. Funky and quirky - think Jamie Cullum on speed. Though a lot more imaginative than that. Actually, Pe'z are what you'd probably expect from a Japanese jazz-ska-samaba band - especially one whose CD collection includes Metallica as well as traditional jazz. Dance away to 'Pop 'n' Roll' and march to parading anthem 'Haruhayate' - and note especially the South American influence in 'No. 6', a heavily based Latin/Brazilian fusion - it's an arrayed medley that hurries from classic, sexy saxophone to erratic drums and samba beats. Just as you've caught up, the tempo moves swiftly again and makes you lose your hold - I'd love to see these guys live. Though non-jazz listeners should be enticed, the record as a whole, without any vocals, may make hard listening for anyone apart from the nu-age jazz connoisseurs. Nevertheless, I hope there is more of this to come from Pe'z. Good prospects for the future of a genre that is frequently labelled tired and dull. RM
Release Date: 29 May
Press Contact: Roadrunner IH [all]
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ANDERSON RELEASES SOLO ALBUM
Former Suede man Brett Anderson is to release his long anticipated solo debut, apparently having worked on material for the album at the same time as recording The Tears' debut LP with Bernard Butler. Speaking about the record, set for a January release, Anderson said: "It's quite orchestrated, lots of string lutes, that sort of thing. I guess there's a Scott Walker feel to it. I'm very proud of it; it's a very exciting record for me. I've played more than I ever have before (on this album). I've played a lot of electric guitar on it; I've written a lot of the electric guitar parts. It's my baby and I've obviously been pretty obsessed with it."
The LP is to be called 'Brett Anderson' - "Because that's my name, you see," he says.
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BELLE & SEBASTIAN COVER STEWART
Belle & Sebastian have recorded a cover of Rod Stewart track 'Baby Jane', which is set to appear on the B-side of their new single 'White Collar Boy'. The release comes in three formats - 7", CD and DVD - and is released on 26 Jun. The CD will feature new tracks 'Long Black Scarf' and 'Heaven In The Afternoon', while the DVD also has the video for the single plus a live performance of 'Sukie In The Graveyard'.
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JACKSON THANKS FANS FOR SUPPORT
Michael Jackson has thanked his fans and everyone who "believed in him" at his previously reported first public appearance since his acquittal on child abuse charges last year. Speaking at MTV's Japan Music Video Awards in Tokyo, the pop star said: "I thank all the people who believed in me. I believe in you. I thank my children, Paris, Prince, and Blanket, who have been there for me."
He continued: "I'd like say to the Japanese people from the bottom of my heart: "I love you very, very much. I thank the fans around the world and I thank the fans in Japan. I promised myself I wouldn't be emotional when I got up here. I think you are very sweet, generous and kind people. I thank all the people who believed in me. I believe in you."
Hundreds of Jackson fans greeted the singer as he arrived at the event, despite heavy rain, many armed with signs bearing legends such as "We love you, Michael" and "Welcome to Japan." One of those fans, Hideki Endo told reporters: "I believe that Michael is innocent and has done nothing wrong. I want him to be free from pressure so he can perform music once again."
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ALBUM REVIEW: Stephen Dale Petit - Guitararama (333 Records)
This album is essentially a love letter to the grand old heritage of blues guitar and Petit, born in the States (near Joshua Tree apparently, if that counts for anything) lives, eats and dreams the stuff. His love for the genre certainly comes through in the first half of the album, with some cool blues workouts, ranging from the straight ahead shuffle of 'Alexis Korner Says' to a stripped down, mournful version of 'Aint No Sunshine'. He gets a bit more ambitious towards to the end of the album - '10 Year Reflections' is a really good Pink Floyd-esque epic mood piece (which is nowhere near as pretentious as I just made it sound), and 'Percy's Thumb' sounds like vintage Led Zeppelin, which is definitely no bad thing in my book. It makes me a little sad to think that not many people are writing good old rock songs like that anymore. In fact it's that kind of reaction that this album sets out to achieve, I suppose. It's an homage to the music that Petit and millions more were brought up on, which doesn't really get the mainstream recognition it perhaps deserves, given how huge an influence it has been on so many artists, coupled with the rich legacy it has left behind. Petit himself is undoubtedly a talented guitarist, and the blues is definitely in his blood. Keep on spreading the word, fella. TH
Released Date: May
Press Contact: Andy King Promotions [all]
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KYLIE CONFIRMED FOR GLASTO, WE THINK
It looks as though Kylie Minogue has been booked to appear at Glastonbury 2007, after Michael Eavis revealed at the Ivor Novello awards on Thursday that he's confirmed three headliners for the pyramid stage at next year's event.
According to The Mirror, he said "Kylie is definitely going to be the Sunday night headliner. We want her to do all the stuff she did on her Showgirl tour with the fairies and the trapeze. She's so Glastonbury. I'm worried it's too early for her but she's really keen. Her people said they don't even need a contract - a handshake is enough."
Although, to be honest, I'm not sure if that Mirror quote is actually what he said at the Ivor Novellos, or something he subsequently said directly to them. I might have been better informed on this had I made it to the Novello Awards myself, rather than coming back to the office because I had, and I quote, "too much work to do".
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THE WHO TOUR KICKS OFF IN LEEDS
The Who are to kick off their upcoming European tour at Leeds University on 17 Jun, 36 years after playing the set there that was to become the basis of their 1970 album 'Live At Leeds'. The rest of their UK dates, including festival appearances, are as follows:
17 Jun: Leeds University
18 Jun: Brighton Centre
25 Jun: Leeds O2 Wireless Festival
28 Jun: Bristol Ashton Gate Football Stadium
2 Jul: London Hyde Park Calling Festival
3 Jul: Hampshire Beaulieu Motor Museum
5 Jul: Liverpool Docks
6 Jul: Liverpool Docks
8 Jul: Oxegen
9 Jul: T In The Park
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CHART UPDATE
Gnarls Barkley are to end their nine week dominance of the charts by deleting their single 'Crazy'. The GB debut was at number one for the ninth week running this Sunday, but rather than going for a tenth week at the top, the duo's label are withdrawing the song from sale in a bid to focus attention on their next single release 'Smiley Faces', which is due for release on 17 Jul.
Confirming that decision the band issued a statement in the "character" of Gnarls Barkley, telling reporters: "I consider myself a realist. I suppose that goes for most of us. But I have found a way to at once hold them, fold them, walk away and run. This was not a painless decision. But pain is nothing but a bi-product of beauty. Potentially toxic, to be sure, but that's all it is."
Meanwhile the PR representatives of Sandi Thom, the singer songwriter behind this week's second best selling single in the UK, have denied that their client's much reported rise to fame was orchestrated. Thom, of course, came to media attention after she staged webcast gigs from her basement in London, reportedly attracting online audiences in excess of 100,000. A record deal with SonyBMG followed, and Thom's debut single rose to number two this week following the physical CD release. Following that success, some have claimed that Thom's rise to fame was not as organic as it seems, and also that the numbers of people tuning in to her webcasts were greatly exaggerated by her PR people.
However a spokesman for London based Quite Great PR, who represent Thom, told reporters this week: "As far as we are aware she is a home-grown talent, which is what helped her get a major record deal. When we signed her up she had already started using the internet to broadcast her gigs. She has worked hard to get a name for herself and has done everything to secure this deal."
So, Gnarls Barkley is top and Sandi Thom is at two, what else is happening in this week's charts? Well, first up, the great news - Matt Willis' solo debut 'Up All Night' went straight in there a 7, this week's highest new entry - give this guy an 'Angels' and he'll be huge.
Then the new entries go: Keane with 'Is It Any Wonder' at 15, Pink with 'Who Knew' at 19, Robbie with 'Sin Sin Sin' at 22, The Futureheads with 'Skip To The End' at 24, Michael Jackson with 'Heal The World' at 27, Jack Johnson's with 'Upside Down' at 30, Taking Back Sunday with 'Make Dam Sure' at 36, Oakenfold and Brittany Murphy with 'Faster Kill Pussycat' at 37, The Darkness with 'Girlfriend' at 39 and Little Man Tate with 'What? What You Got' at 40.
Albums wise - and more hurrahs - as Zero 7 go straight in at 4 with 'The Garden', Pet Shop Boys go straight in at 5 with 'Fundamental' and Angels & Airwaves go straight in at 6 with 'We Don't Need To Whisper'. Then it goes Boy Kill Boy with 'Civilian' at 16, the Bee Gees hits package at 29 and Hot Chip's 'The Warning' at 34. Sorted.
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THIS WEEK'S STUDENT RADIO CHART
1. [2] Kooks - She Moves in Her Own Way (EMI/Virgin)
2. [24] The Automatics - Monster (B-unique)
3. [8] Boy Kill Boy - Suzie (Universal/Vertigo)
4. [1] Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Dani California (Warner)
5. [14] Primal Scream - Country Girl (SonyBMG/Columbia)
6. [4] We Are Scientists - Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt (EMI/Virgin)
7. [13] Nelly Furtado - Maneater (Universal/Polydor)
8. [17] Paul Oakenfold feat. Brittany Murphy - Faster Kill Pussy (Warner/Maverick)
9. [5] The Feeling - Fill My Little World (Universal/Island)
10. [6] Snow Patrol - You're All I Have (Universal/Fiction)
11. [3] The Racounters - Steady As She Goes (Beggars/XL)
12. [20] The Futureheads - Skip to the End (679)
13. [9] The Zutons - Valerie (SonyBMG/Deltasonic)
14. [NE] Panic! At The Disco - But It's Better If You Do (Warner/Atlantic)
15. [7] Jack Johnson - Upside Down (Universal/Brushfire)
16. [NE] The Ordinary Boys - Nine2Five (Ft. Lady Sovereign) (B-unique)
17. [18] The Spinto Band - Did I Tell You (Radiate)
18. [28] Matt Willis - Up All Night (Universal/Mercury)
19. [15] Dirty Pretty Things - Bang Bang You're Dead (Universal/Vertigo)
20. [19] The Upper Room - Black & White (SonyBMG/Columbia)
21. [NE] Muse - Super Massive Black Hole (Warner/Atlantic)
22. [12] Delays - Hideaway (Rough Trade)
23. [21] Nerina Pallot - Everybody's Gone to War (Warner/14th Floor)
24. [30] Captain - Broke (EMI)
25. [NE] Orson - Bright Idea (Universal/Mercury)
26. [NE] Razorlight - In the Morning (Universal/Vertigo)
27. [NE] Angels And Airwaves - The Adventure (Universal/Geffen)
28. [16] Keane - Is it Any Wonder (Universal/Island)
29. [NE] Christina Milian - Say I (Universal/Mercury)
30. [RE] The Mystery Jets - You Can't Fool Me Dennis (679)
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SUBSHOT PLAYLIST
The videos being played on the SUBtv network of screens in students' unions around the UK. New additions marked with a *.
A LIST
The Feeling - Fill My Little World (Universal/Island)
Jack Johnson - Upside Down (Universal/Brushfire)
Keane - Is It Any Wonder? (Universal/Island)
*The Kooks - She Moves In Her Own Way (EMI/Virgin)
Loleatta Holloway - Love Sensation '06 (Gusto)
*Muse - Supermassive Black Hole (Warner)
Mystery Jets - You Can't Fool Me Dennis (679)
Ordinary Boys v Lady Sovereign - Nine2Five (B Unique)
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California (Warner)
The Streets - Never Went To Church (679)
B LIST
Busta Rhymes - Touch It (Remix) (Universal/Interscope)
Camera Obscura - Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken (Elefant)
*Corinne Bailey Rae - Trouble Sleeping (EMI)
*Embrace - World At Your Feet (Independiente)
Futureheads - Skip To The End (679)
*Gomez - Girlshapedlovedrug (Independiente)
Infernal - From Paris To Berlin (Blanco Y Negro)
Liam Frost - The Mourners Of St Pauls (LaVolta)
*Lily Allen - LDN (EMI/Parlophone)
Little Man Tate - What? What You Got? (V2)
Nelly Furtado - Maneater (Universal/Polydor)
*The On-Offs - Wrong Upstairs (EMI)
Solu Music feat. Kimbelee - Fade (HedKandy)
Vatican DC - Wow (Red Flag)
*The Zutons - Valerie (SonyBMG/Columbia)
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TOTAL ROCK WORLD ALBUM CHART
As counted down on Total Rock over the weekend - http://www.totalrock.com. New entries marked with a *.
1. Tool - 10,000 Days (Volcano)
2. Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam (SonyBMG/J Records)
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium (Warner Bros)*
4. Nickelback - All The Right Reasons (Roadrunner)
5. Taking Back Sunday - Louder Now (Warner Bros)
6. Fall-Out Boy - From Under The Cork Tree (Universal/Island)
7. Godsmack - IV (Republic)*
8. Queen - Greatest Hits 1, 2 & 3 (EMI)
9. Thursday - A City By The Light Divided (Universal/Island)
10. Rob Zombie - Educated Horses (Universal/Geffen)
11. Bon Jovi - Have A Nice Day (Universal/Mercury)
12. Guns n Roses - Greatest Hits (Universal/Geffen)
13. David Gilmour - On An Island (EMI)
14. Green Day - American Idiot (Warner Bros)
15. Fleetwood Mac - The Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac (Warner Bros)
16. Korn - See You On The Other Side (EMIVirgin)
17. System Of A Down - Hypnotize (Sony/BMGColumbia)
18. Goo Goo Dolls - Let Love In (Warner Bros)
19. Live - Songs From The Black Mountain (SonyBMG/Columbia)
20. Placebo - Meds (EMI/Virgin)
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CMU RADIO SHOW
The lovely songs we play on this week's CMU radio show which you will be able to hear later today online on demand at http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk/cmuradio
Osaka Popstar & The American Legends Of Punk - Man Of Constant Sorrow (Ryko)
The Drips - 16, 16, Six (Wichita)
New Model Army - Rumour And Rapture (Attack Attack)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Turn Into (Universal/Fiction)
Radio 4 - Enemies Like This (EMI/Astralwerks)
El Presidente - 100mph (SonyBMG)
Joy Zipper - You're So Good (Mercury)
Iain Archer - Soleil (PIAS Wall Of Sound/We Love You)
The Concretes - On The Radio (EMI)
Jose Gonzales - Hand On Your Heart (Peacefrog)
High And Dry - Pete Kuzma feat. Bilal (!K7/BBE)
Sergio Mendes feat The Black Eyed Peas - Mas Que Nada (Universal/will.i.am)
Four Tet - Pockets (!K7)
Kidda - Hold Me (Catskills)
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SINGLE REVIEW: Joan As Police Woman - The Ride (Reveal Records)
This is the first single from a musician who's already had a sparkling career as one of Antony's Johnsons and a contributor to the music of Rufus Wainwright, Lou Reed, Nick Cave, Sheryl Crow, and Sparklehorse. Joan has a beautiful voice - it's earned comparisons to Chrissie Hynde and Dusty Springfield, I'd say more Belinda Carlisle - and on this soulful number her throaty swoons and high pitched vocal acrobatics are laid bare over a stripped down arrangement. I've no idea what the song's about. Life, perhaps. It's very moving nonetheless. I'd recommend listening to this in the bath, with salts, candles, etc. EM
Release Date: 29 May
Press contact: Triad [all]
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CHINA STEP UP PIRACY PENALTIES
China has announced steep penalties for the distributors of unauthorised content in a bid to combat the high levels of music, film and computer game piracy in the country. New measures will force internet service providers in the country to reveal the identities of individuals suspected of distributing content illegally online, while authorities will be able to fine illegal distributors up to 10,000 yuan ($12,461).
Companies that create technologies that facilitate physical or online piracy could also be targeted under the new measures. These rules might be applied quite widely, sparking some fears that search engines like Baidu and Yahoo might find themselves being targeted.
The moves are part of the Chinese government's attempts to allay concerns from Western countries, and especially the US, that they are unable to control content piracy. They follow a number of other anti-piracy initiatives that have been introduced in the country, and no doubt respond to specific calls from the US for greater penalties for content pirates.
According to the South China Morning Post, Charles Martin of the American Chamber Of Commerce in China recently told a Beijing conference: "We see that there is more enforcement on the part of the Chinese government, but the problem is growing faster than enforcement efforts. What is missing is significant punishment or penalties for those violators".
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OFCOM BOSS TO STAND DOWN
Stephen Carter, the top bloke over at media regulator OfCom, will leave his job on 15 Oct. The search for a replacement will begin in the middle of next month, with Ed Richards, a former Downing Street policy adviser and Carter's deputy, the favourite for the job.
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RADIOCENTRE ANNOUNCE NEW CEO
And talking of chief executive appointments, the new commercial radio industry body RadioCentre - that's the previously reported new body formed by the merger of the Commercial Radio Companies Association and the Radio Advertising Bureau - has announced that former Nestle Marketing Director Andrew Harrison will be its first Chief Executive. Harrison will be bringing with him the yoghurt making skills he picked up in his current job as MD of Muller and will be hoping to use those skills to help the commercial radio sector win back audience share from the BBC who always do well in the ratings, but who make a rubbish yoghurt.
The bosses of the CRCA and RAB will stay on - CRCA CEO Paul Brown as chairman of the board, RAB boss Douglas McArthur as a non-executive chairman.
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CHANNEL 4 LAUNCH NEW LIVE MUSIC SHOW
Channel 4 last week announced another music based mobile phone advert ... sorry, I mean mobile phone sponsored music show. Transmission With T Mobile is a new Steve Jones / Lauren Laverne fronted live music show that will film in a different location each week and will be aired in one of Channel 4's late night music slots. Fortuitously for all concerned, given the title of the show, T Mobile have agreed to the sponsor it. The first of twelve editions of the show will air on Friday 16 Jun.
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RADIO STATION DUMPS BLUNT
Essex FM has cut James Blunt's 'You're Beautiful' and 'Goodbye My Lover' from its playlists after listeners said they were fed up with hearing the tracks.
Citing "music industry pressure" for the station's previous decision to continue playing the tracks a year after Blunt's album was released, Essex FM's programme controller Chris Cotton told reporters: "We don't have anything against James Blunt and we're pleased he has been so successful, but we really need a break".
On that music industry pressure, Cotton continued: "Often this can be out of step with the audience's tastes, which results in songs being overplayed. We're happy to stand up to this pressure and follow the strong message listeners have given us. We encourage other radio stations to take the same step".
Personally, I find it hard to believe the music industry was really forcing Essex FM to play Blunt's tracks. Surely Warner Music would much rather have airtime dedicated to whatever new releases they are currently trying to flog - especially given that Blunt's mega-global sales are presumably worth a lot more than any PPL revenues. Then again, that Blunt's got army connections, so if such pressure was being exerted, I'm not sure I'd be doing too much resisting.
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ALBUM REVIEW: The Spinto Band - Nice And Nicely Done (EMI/Virgin)
Those who listen will not resist the dance-worthy quality to this record because it is utterly infectious and doesn't run out of steam at any point. This mighty gang of six men from Delaware, USA introduced their sound to British ears late last year, of course, a sound which is positive, light and will never send you to sleep. The falsetto vocals and folky feel means it stops just short of full-blown mainstream pop appeal but even so, this is indie music that completely fails to be dreary and depressive. Instead this is full of hop and sparkling charm from the jangly mandolin on jingle bell ballad 'Oh Mandy' through to the choral chanting of 'Trust vs. Mistrust'. Later, the album veers off into a dizzy, bubbling mood with 'Late' a deeper, classic emo track, reminiscent of Jimmy Eat World. Even in the slower tempo songs you can't not want to tap your feet, nod your head or jump around. Can't help but get excited. RM
Release Date: 29 May
Press Contact: EMI IH [CP, CR] APB [RP] Virgin IH [RR, NP, NR]
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BABYSHAMBLES STUDIO TIME
Babyshambles have apparently spent their fee from the Get Loaded Festival on studio time so that they can finally "focus on the music". It's an interesting concept I know. Personally I worry about the "spent their fee" bit of that story - if I was promoting a festival I wouldn't be paying Babyshambles their fee before they'd shown up and played. Then again, they are reportedly recording in Turnmills Studios, which are run by the same people as Get Loaded, so perhaps the festival's promoters have put together some kind of clever package to encourage the band to actually have some decent songs to play come their performance on 27 Aug.
Elsewhere in Babyshambles news, Drowned In Sound report that the band have been offered a number of new recording contracts, including one from Rough Trade who, as we reported last week, had said they wouldn't be renewing their relationship with Doherty et al.
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NEIL TENNANT LIKES ROBBIE COLLABORATIONS
Neil Tennant says he's happy with tracks that The Pet Shop Boys have recorded with Robbie Williams. And that's it really. Not exactly shock headline news. Although some Pet Shop Boys fans might find it shocking I suppose.
Anyway, there's a quote, courtesy of The Sun. Tennant confirmed that Williams' new album has something of an electronic, dancy feel to it (inspired by the example of Ms Kylie Minogue apparently), and added: "We've done two songs with Robbie. It sounds really good. We haven't really written with anyone before."
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STEFANI GIVES BIRTH
Gwen Stefani and husband, Bush man Gavin Rossdale, have announced the birth of their first child. The baby boy, named Kingston James McGregor Rossdale, was delivered (by caesarean section, of course, as is the fashion) at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Friday, according to Stefani's spokesman Dave Tomberlin. Rossdale only recently discovered that he already has a 16-year old daughter with Pearl Lowe (now the other half of Supergrass' Danny Goffey of course - Pearl Lowe that is - not the 16 year old daughter).
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A PRETTY POOR CELEB X FACTOR UPDATE
Well, I have successfully managed to get through the whole weekend without even accidentally channel hopping on to Celebrity X Factor. The downside of this is that, given that the show has possibly the worst website in history, we're a bit short of Celeb X Factor news. But I do know that Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee, who were competing in the 'groups section' have been voted off. Chris Moyles, ex-Corrie actress Nikki Sanderson, model Michelle Marsh and rugby player Matt Stevens all remain, as do James Hewitt and Rebecca Loos competing as a 'kiss-and-tell-duo' and a group made up of celebrity chefs including Aldo Zilli, Paul Rankin, Ross Burden and Jean-Christophe Novelli. And to think, I've been missing all this.