The Rock Blogger

I got an email this morning requesting that I put this up here.

…

I don’t know if you’ve heard but the CRTC is holding two hearings: one on broadband and one on new media. The broadband proceeding, to begin on July 6 2009 (http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2008/pt2008-19.htm ), will have quite a bit of impact (or not) on all of you who download music, video, whatever… or really anyone using the internet.

The gist of it is, ISPs (internet service providers such as Bell and Rogers), in order to manage the amount of traffic on their networks often shape traffic. For example giving certain applications priority over others during peak times. These practices are not always in the users best interest, but the good news is that the CRTC has set up this website:
http://isppractices.econsultation.ca/

Think of it as a town hall meeting. Sign up and answer the 5 questions (your opinion on things) and help shape the internet to serve you!

Oooooh Canada…

From the Vancouver Sun :

OTTAWA - The federal government is secretly negotiating an agreement to revamp international copyright laws which could make the information on Canadian iPods, laptop computers or other personal electronic devices illegal and greatly increase the difficulty of travelling with such devices.

The deal could also impose strict regulations on Internet service providers, forcing those companies to hand over customer information without a court order.

Called the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), the new plan would see Canada join other countries, including the United States and members of the European Union, to form an international coalition against copyright infringement.

The agreement is being structured much like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) except it will create rules and regulations regarding private copying and copyright laws.

Federal trade agreements do not require parliamentary approval.

The deal would create a international regulator that could turn border guards and other public security personnel into copyright police. The security officials would be charged with checking laptops, iPods and even cellular phones for content that "infringes" on copyright laws, such as ripped CDs and movies.

The guards would also be responsible for determining what is infringing content and what is not.

Outrageous. No wonder this has been shrouded in so much secrecy. For guards to have to conduct random searches, and hold up security lines at airports and borders over individual songs, is simply ludicrous and unconstitutional. Unless the Conservatives want to table this against an irate Supremes Court, and create a legal black hole for what is likely to be millions of Canadians, our country should take no part in this anti-democratic mess, no matter how many lobbyists and interests groups come pounding at their doors. Our fundamental rights are at stake and Canadians who truly value them can’t remain silent.

More on his as it develops.

I had a feeling this was coming, but I had no idea it would be so soon! From the Sigur Ros’ website :

Sigur rós will release their fifth lp "með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust" june 23rd worldwide (june 24th in north america). the album will be available to pre-order on sigurros.com on june 2nd and a live stream of the album will be available on june 9th for those who have pre-ordered.

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“Strange Lights” from last year’s excellent Cryptograms. Deerhunter will be playing some shows with NIN this summer, so be sure to catch them if you’re going to any of those concerts.

Tour Dates for Deerhunter
06/27 Calgary, AB: Sled Island Music Festival
07/31 Charleston, SC: The Map Room
08/01 Norfolk, VA: The Boot
08/05 Toronto, ON: Air Canada Centre
08/06 Buffalo, NY: Big Orbit’s Soundlab
08/07 Uncasville, CT: Mohegan Sun Arena
08/08 Worchester, MA: DCU Center
08/10 Pittsburg, PA: Garfield Artworks
08/11 Morgantown, WV: 123 Pleasant Street
08/12 Knoxville, TN: Knoxville Civic Coliseum
08/13 Atlanta, GA: Gwinnett Arena
09/02 Morrison, CO: Red Rock Pavillion
09/03 Salt Lake City, UT: E Center
09/05 Oakland, CA: Oracle Arena
09/06 Inglewood, CA: The Forum

“Modern World” from Apologies to the Queen Mary. 2005

Wolf Parade’s long awaited follow up to 2005’s acclaimed Apologies to the Queen Mary , will be arriving June 17 courtesy of Sub Pop records. There is no definite title for the new album yet, but early rumors suggested it would be named Kissing the Beehive . Maybe the band got cold feet after Pitchfork made fun of that title, I’m not sure, but we’ll know soon enough.

The tracklist:
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On Monday, Chicago’s annual Lollapalooza Music Festival announced their stellar lineup for the August 1-3 event which will take place at the city’s Grant Park. This year looks to be unbelievable, with three of the 90s greatest acts (Radiohead, NIN, Rage Against the Machine) headlining and some excellent Canadian groups joining in as well.

Advance tickets are going for $190 US. They’ll go up to $205 once those are gone.

Go to Lollapalooza.com for more details.

You better start planning your road trips now.

The Full Lineup Below:

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Japan’s psychedelic masters return to the fray with their newest LP Smile to be released on Southern Lord on April 29th. The label will also release a 7” single for “Statement” which will also feature the B-side “Floorshaker” on February 26. If their last collaboration album with Merzbow was any indication, Smile is going to be a massive, blistering record.

Stay Tuned.

On the eve of 2008’s first American presidential primary in Iowa, the top-tier candidates are scrambling for a final push at the polls, as both parties see a dead heat race for their respective nominations. Last year saw the meteoric rise of Barack Obama, who has, not surprisingly, attracted many young people to the Democratic party. As reported by Pitchfork, Bright Eyes’ own Conor Oberst performed at an Obama rally on New Year’s Day, which was packed with political neophytes.

“Oberst played a few tunes and addressed those gathered by saying, “I met the next president of the United States earlier today.” The Observer also noted the enthusiasm of “the younger Iowans in attendance.” Let’s hope these youngsters are old enough to vote!”

Besides Oberst (and Oprah or course), Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, and The Cool Kids have also pledged their support for the first term Senator.

While it is certainly refreshing to see a candidate actually inspire young people to vote (miraculous really), the youthful enthusiasm will have to face the fact that most Iowan caucus goers are usually over the age of 50…

We’ll see how Obama’s slew of indie endorsements fare for him tomorrow night…

***Update: Obama kicked some serious caucus.

Happy New Year!

To ease my recovery from last night’s shindig (where much drinking and snow skating took place), I thought I’d create a quick rundown of some upcoming releases to be excited for in the first few weeks of 2008. Look for some reviews of these albums on The Rock Blogger as they come out.

This Will Destroy You This Will Destroy You January 8th.

Magnetic Fields. Distortion. January 15th.

Black Mountain. In the Future. January 22nd.

The Mars Volta. The Bedlam in Goliath. January 29th.

It looks like 2008 is going to have a good start.

Last Tuesday, Pitchfork released their Top 50 Albums of 2007, naming Panda Bear’s psychedelic Person Pitch as the album of the year. While I thought the album was warm, trippy and evoked fond memories of stoned summers past, I honestly thought several other bands were more likely to take the top spot, like The National (#17), LCD Soundsystem (#2) or The Arcade Fire (#27???). Here is the full list:

50 Tinariwen - Aman Iman: Water Is Life
49 Dizzee Rascal - Maths + English
48 Robert Wyatt - Comicopera
47 Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals
46 Marissa Nadler - Songs III: Bird on the Water
45 Ricardo Villalobos - Fabric 36
44 Les Savy Fav - Let’s Stay Friends
43 Stars of the Lid - And Their Refinement of the Decline
42 Ghostface Killah - The Big Doe Rehab
41 Life Without Buildings - Live at the Annandale Hotel
40 Beirut - The Flying Club Cup / Lon Gisland EP
39 The White Stripes - Icky Thump
38 Wu-Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams
37 Grizzly Bear - Friend EP
36 Iron and Wine - The Shepherd’s Dog
35 Black Lips - Good Bad Not Evil
34 James Blackshaw - The Cloud Of Unknowing
33 King Khan & the Shrines - What Is?!
32 Sally Shapiro - Disco Romance
31 Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
30 Caribou - Andorra
29 Bon Iver, For Emma - Forever Ago
28 Dinosaur Jr. - Beyond
27 Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
26 Various Artists - After Dark
25 The Tough Alliance - A New Chance / New Waves EP
24 Dan Deacon - Spiderman Of The Rings
23 Studio - Yearbook 1
22 Okkervil River - The Stage Names
21 Dirty Projectors - Rise Above
20 Liars - Liars
19 Feist - The Reminder
18 Kanye West - Graduation
17 The National - Boxer
16 Lil Wayne - Da Drought 3
15 Justice - †
14 Deerhunter - Cryptograms / Fluorescent Grey EP
13 Jay-Z - American Gangster
12 No Age - Weirdo Rippers
11 Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
10 Burial - Untrue
09 The Field - From Here We Go Sublime
08 Battles - Mirrored
07 Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
06 Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
05 of Montreal Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
04 Radiohead - In Rainbows
03 M.I.A. - Kala
02 LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver
01 Panda Bear - Person Pitch